Cooking rock

[ecam]

Im looking to cook some live rock in under 2-3 weeks. Would like to take it back all the way to dry rock if possible. Since the person im getting it from has had it in a bin for a few months.

Questions:

1, What is the quickest way to do it
2. Since im plumbing the new tank into my current display, do I need to worry about a cycle?
I will be using dry sand as well.

Thanks for all the help

 

[downbeach]

Im looking to cook some live rock in under 2-3 weeks. Would like to take it back all the way to dry rock if possible. Since the person im getting it from has had it in a bin for a few months.

Questions:

1, What is the quickest way to do it
2. Since im plumbing the new tank into my current display, do I need to worry about a cycle?
I will be using dry sand as well.

Thanks for all the help

I don't think I'd cook it, I'd clean it. Starting with a bleach solution to kill anything, i.e algea, aiptasia, hydroids, etc., then etching with vinegar (or muriatic acid) to remove anything off the surface, i.e. PO4, heavy metals, etc., then a couple weeks of curing.

 

[jose7878]

I don't think I'd cook it, I'd clean it. Starting with a bleach solution to kill anything, i.e algea, aiptasia, hydroids, etc., then etching with vinegar (or muriatic acid) to remove anything off the surface, i.e. PO4, heavy metals, etc., then a couple weeks of curing.

That's the same process a buddy of mine did as well.

 

[Sunny]

Bleach it. Then, bleach it again.

 

[asonitez]

came here for breaking bad references....


i was dissapointed...


I heard bleach, and the sun kills everything. then powerwash and soak.

 

[ecam]

I guess "live" is an important word in this title. Lol

 

[9supratt4]

I just did this myself. Put all my rock in a garbage can with 4-5 gallons of bleach and water, let sit 3 days. Then 4-5 gallons of vinegar with water for 3 days. Then freshwater for 3 days. Then dry. Turned the rock into perfectly white base rock lol.

 

[MatteZ]

My neighbor just did this to some rock a friend gave him. He did it in his basement and his house smelled horrible. It did work perfectly! If I ever had to cook rock I would do it this way.

I just did this myself. Put all my rock in a garbage can with 4-5 gallons of bleach and water, let sit 3 days. Then 4-5 gallons of vinegar with water for 3 days. Then freshwater for 3 days. Then dry. Turned the rock into perfectly white base rock lol.

 

[9supratt4]

My neighbor just did this to some rock a friend gave him. He did it in his basement and his house smelled horrible. It did work perfectly! If I ever had to cook rock I would do it this way.

Yes yes....do not do this indoors!!

 

[Gonzapa]

Yes yes....do not do this indoors!!

Who on the right mind would pour 4 gallons of bleach into anything indoors!.. I think you probably be high from the fumes in 30 min!

 

[MatteZ]

Who on the right mind would pour 4 gallons of bleach into anything indoors!.. I think you probably be high from the fumes in 30 min!

He didn't use 4 gallons. LOL, he may have used 1/2 a gallon if that.

 

[TanksNStuff]

I just did this myself. Put all my rock in a garbage can with 4-5 gallons of bleach and water, let sit 3 days. Then 4-5 gallons of vinegar with water for 3 days. Then freshwater for 3 days. Then dry. Turned the rock into perfectly white base rock lol.

It was not 5g of straight bleach, lol. That would have been crazy!

 

[ecam]

If I bleach it. I will use one of my water change containers. Is that smart or will I contaminate my water? Also once I bleach the rock. I plan On using the base rock in the display tank. Will this cause a cycle.

 

[9supratt4]

Yes bleach and water...not straight bleach.

 

[ecam]

What is the ratio of water to bleach
and Water to vineagr?

I need to start this, this weekend. Thank you.

It was not 5g of straight bleach, lol. That would have been crazy!

 

[reeferwanabe]

depends on how much rock and how much water you need to cover the rock. but I have used a whole gallon to 10 gallons of water and it worked well.