Using old rock help please

[Brando457]

Odd question on old dry rock I have....

So I have some old dry rock from one of my older tanks.

I let the rock sit in a barrel outside for a year or longer. Now the barrel let some rain water get into the rock.

I am wondering if there is a way to salvage the rock? Would the below work or how would I go about it?

1. Bleach the rock to make sure nothing nasty on it is alive
2. Vinegar bath the rock to neutralize the bleach
3. I think there is some kind of acid bath to remove phosphates?
4. Cure the rock in a separate bin with a heater + power head and some saltwater?

Will this work or is the rock better off tossed?

Thanks

 

[jgraz]

That's basically it. Except the vinegar is the acid bath. Bleach bath first rinse well then vinegar bath. Followed by another good rinse and dry. Then cycle.

 

[Brando457]

I was under the impression I would need something to neutralize the phosphates in the rock since it will probably leech them after sitting in rain water for so long?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'll throw a wrench into this.


I never understood this acid/bleach thing. The bleach will oxidize some of the organics in the rock...but most likely not completely. The vinegar will dissolve some of the carbonate (the rock)....why would you want to do that?


The rock is "dead" because of the cool/cold temperature and the presence of rain water. Now you might have some freshwater life going on, but that's ok because it will die once salt is introduced.

I personnally would simply put that rock in saltwater and let it cure naturally.

JMTC

 

[Brando457]

the rain wouldn't contaminate the rock?

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[mrehfeld]

Testing the water and changing it until the phosphates dissipate, it's a matter of time.

 

[Cdiggy]

I had some old rock from a tank that was dry for a while. All I did was fill the bucket up with rodi water and let it sit. After a week it really started to stink so I changed the water with fresh rodi and let it sit some more to it stopped stinking. Rinsed and put in my fowlr tank. I would have done more with it if it was going in a coral tank like letting it sit in salt water and testing for no3/po4. I think we become paranoid in this hobby (for good reasons sometimes) and become overly cautious.

 

[Brando457]

my main concern really is the rain water it sat in...

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[redfishbluefish]

I'm not sure I understand your concern....it's dead rock. The rain water most likely is slightly acidic....that's "normal" rain today. If you are still concerned, take the rock out and let it dry. Either way, you have dead rock, and therefore it requires curing.....at least a month or so sitting in saltwater with a heater and flow....and maybe a water change or two....or more.

 

[Brando457]

I thought maybe the rain water it sat in contaminated the rock, but if not then I'll just dry and cycle it in a bin. thanks everyone

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