Cleaning Live Rock

[btkrausen]

I'm about to start a new setup, and would like to use the rock I have in my current tank. However, a lot of it was completely covered in bubble algae, and I want to get those rock completely clean and free of bubble algae and stuff before I put it in the new tank. A lot of the rock is out of the tank, but there is more in there.

In order to make sure none of the bubble algae gets in my new tank, would you advice to cut my losses, break off as much of an encrusted coral as I can, and then cook/scrub the rock. Anybody use a pressure washer? haha.

I am also debating on just ordering about 100 lbs of dry rock from BRS and simply use it instead.

 

[macawmagic]

I ended taking my corals off the rocks and I've had them sitting in my front yard in the hot florida sun for about 3 days now. I plan on giving them a nice bath in viniger with a nice scrubbing before setting up my new tank. I want to start this new tank free of aiptasia, bubble algae, those little stars, basically no life. LOL

 

[thewackyreefer]

Goooood luck! You can try to clean it off the rock but unfortunately I don't think you'll get it all off the corals and it will inevitably come back, at least in my experience.

 

[Johnthebaptist]

I actually did power wash some rock but it had been sitting in someones back yard for about 3 years first. LOL.

 

[btkrausen]

That was my other concern, is some of the frags that I have do have bubble algae on them. I'm really thinking about breaking things off of all rocks and starting over with corals and new rock. I'll just buy new rock from BRS since its not a bad price.

What do you guys think about reusing water? Should I just start a new cycle too? Would bubble algae get into the tank by just transferring the water? This way I could immediately put in the fish into the new tank without having to wait for a cycle. I'd probably buy new sand as well just to be sure.

 

[Eddie Baby]

I'd use the dry rock from BRS if you are in a hurry. If not, I'd let it bake in the sun on your patio for a while, then use a stiff nylon brush to knock as much of everything off as you can. After that, I'd cook it for a couple of months and change the water out about four times.

Come to think of it, I'd just use the dry rock from BRS.

 

[btkrausen]

Yeah, I think I'm just going to do that.

One of my concerns for the upgrade is the health and safety of my fish. I'm thinking about simply moving my current tank into the garage, where the sump is, and then work on the new build. This way my fish stay in the familiar tank.

My biggest concern is that most of my fish are very expensive, like a Premium Picasso pair, Rhomboid, Lineatus, Labouti, and my new wrasses coming this week, Pink Margin, Red Tail Flasher, and my biggest scare...a pair of Johnsoni Wrasses. Thats probably 2-3 grand worth of fish.