Dry rock risks and curing techniques?

Reef Keeper 18 · Nov 11, 2011

Well i might order the pukani today finally and before i do i was wondering what risks there might be with switching it with my old rock and also i was wondering how i should cure it

dakotasreef · Nov 11, 2011

I would rinse it and scrub. Then put in a tub with some old tank water to cure it. With a skimmer preferably.

keokea · Nov 11, 2011

How about a airstone and/or a powerhead to cure the rock?

dakotasreef · Nov 11, 2011

A powerheads would help with circulation

Reef Keeper 18 · Nov 11, 2011

So put it in a container of saltwater for two weeks or so then slowly introduce it like that?

Raggamuffin · Nov 11, 2011

I have this rock, it will leach WELL longer than 2 weeks. I used a powerwasher and blasted the heck out of it then left it in a tub for 2 months cooking before putting it in the display, it is still leaching 4 months later, not horrid but enough to grow HA on the rocks. For the price, amount, porosity you wont find better the leaching is the trade off. to give you an idea 25lbs. over filled my 40B only used 1/2 that and still to much in the tank.

dakotasreef · Nov 11, 2011

I would cure it till the test kits say it's ok.

nixer · Nov 11, 2011

id soak it in ro/di first for atleast a few weeks. before even thinking about adding salt water.
it will leech phosphates like crazy.
you also dont need a skimmer to cure dry rock, but id consider perhaps gfo though.
do not add it to the tank at all until youve fully cured it.
brs pukani has alot of dried dead stuff in there.

Reef Keeper 18 · Nov 12, 2011

Alright sorry im so stupid with this stuff never looked into curing rock before, I should soak it in ro water for two weeks then soak it in saltwater for two weeks through two months depending on..?

turfster26 · Nov 12, 2011

Raggamuffin said:
I have this rock, it will leach WELL longer than 2 weeks. I used a powerwasher and blasted the heck out of it then left it in a tub for 2 months cooking before putting it in the display, it is still leaching 4 months later, not horrid but enough to grow HA on the rocks. For the price, amount, porosity you wont find better the leaching is the trade off. to give you an idea 25lbs. over filled my 40B only used 1/2 that and still to much in the tank.

Agreed +100000.

I used Pukani and EcoSaver rock on my 180gl sps tank on start-up and 6 months later it literally dumped phosphates into my dispay like crazy. NEVER again.

On my new 60gl Cube build....I used dry rock from Steve at Reef Rocks (I believe his is a sponsor on this forum) and this stuff is CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN. No rinsing necessary. He does all the rinsing for you at his facility and he harvest the rock from a cleaner site then the Pukani. Give him a call and he will over all his harvesting and rinsing techniques.

Not to mention, Steve literally customizes all his orders. You tell him what size tank, what type of aquascape you want, etc and he will give you exactly what you ask for. It is almost plug-n-play once you get you delivery. Plus he gives you a good size bag of rubble for your sump if you ask for it. I love rubble in my sump.

So I guess I may not have answered your question about rinsing techniques, but if you buy the right rock you can save yourself a bunch of time in the long run. Trust me, it took me three months to work through the phos leaching into my 180gl display and never again.
HTH

Reef Keeper 18 · Nov 12, 2011

What is this website called? I'm willing to look into it.. quite franquially i would have bought "real reef" rock from my lfs this upcoming week their getting a shipment of 600lbs in but I dont have the money to spend even for just 35lbs of that stuff. Its in the 330 and I love it but its like 8.99 a pound or something crazy.That is probably the only reason i am getting the pukani i like the look and its cheap, which is what i need.

Reef Keeper 18 · Nov 12, 2011

and youd also say your happy with the rock that you got from reef rock?

orthokardia · Nov 13, 2011

If i might suggest....buy used from a local reefer. Dry or live. Then bleach, crazy good rinse, leave outside for a week, muratic acid, another good rinse, and UR good to go. It has worked great for me.

Reef Keeper 18 · Nov 13, 2011

ARC is my local club rock qualitys great but price is higher

turfster26 · Nov 13, 2011

Reef Keeper 18 said:
and youd also say your happy with the rock that you got from reef rock?

Yes, unbelievable happy and at under $2.00/lb including delivery you can't beat the price. Go out and find other rock: bleach, acid bath, etc all waste of my quality time imho. Buy from Reefrocks.com and enough said.

Analysis=paralysis. Keep it simply and buy dry rock from a reputable source and done!