I am starting a new tank using live rock that I have had for 10-20 years. The rock has been completely dry for several years. I mixed fresh salt water. I tested the water and it had 0 ppm nitrate. I placed the rock in the aquarium and measured the nitrates the following day. I measured 10 ppm nitrate. I would expect some ammonia or nitrite, but the tank has not been cycled yet so I would not expect any nitrates. Is it best to use the new rock?
Can old live rock (now dry) hold too much nitrate to be useful?
- Thread starter Wampatom
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I am starting a new tank using live rock that I have had for 10-20 years. The rock has been completely dry for several years. I mixed fresh salt water. I tested the water and it had 0 ppm nitrate. I placed the rock in the aquarium and measured the nitrates the following day. I measured 10 ppm nitrate. I would expect some ammonia or nitrite, but the tank has not been cycled yet so I would not expect any nitrates. Is it best to use the new rock?
Not all...just cure in heated saltwater for a few to several weeks, with frequent water changes until everything reads 0 ppm. Then you're good to go!
Thought about this a bit more...since they're in your aquarium already...just wait a bit. That 10 ppm nitrate could just be some surface contaminants. Nitrate doesn't bind to rock the way phosphate does. It's decay of some material usually...so monitor of a few days...see if nitrates increase anymore. If not, water change it down to where you want and you're good. If it creeps up continuously...you may consider removing to buckets for treatments that don't cost a lot in water changes.
Sure, rinse it very well first...if it's already in tank I'd add a deep cleaning weekly to the sand until nutrients level out.
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