Cleaning Old Rock

[Harold Green]

Did they determine the rock has soaked up phosphate and copper? The reason I ask is I have some rock that's forty years old that's now in an sps tank with no issues. Unless a rock is going to leach out a lot of material the average water changes should take care of any small amount of phosphate that does leach out. Algae growing on the rock should be a pretty good indicator if the rock is harboring a lot of nutrients. I would expect an extended soak in ro water before reusing the rock would remove most of it. Randy not being a reef chemist I'll bow to your expertise in the matter but as I said before if I was really leery about the rock I'd just chunk it. Not worth the risk in the long run.

 

[Shep]

I'm having a little trouble understanding why so many people want to clean their rock. Unless it's covered with a plant you want to kill I just don't see it. Letting it sit dry should kill any live animals. If it's covered in algae you want to remove, a small amount of bleach in a bucket of water will remove it almost instantly. Rinse in fresh water and allow to dry for a couple of days. If you're worried about phosphates let the rock soak in ro water for a week and then test the water. If you're truly in doubt about using the rock then chunk it and start fresh. It's not worth the worry if the rock was exposed to something and you don't know if it's safe to use.

Lol everything you just listed would be considered washing old rock

 

[Harold Green]

You missed the point entirely. The discussion wasn't about washing the rock to use, it was about treating the rock so it's as safe as new rock.

 

[Shep]

You missed the point entirely. The discussion wasn't about washing the rock to use, it was about treating the rock so it's as safe as new rock.

Lol I am the one who started this thread so I know what it's about and I started it because I had rock that had been sitting uncovered on my back porch for over a year and I wanted to know a way to remove anything that might have collected in or on the rock. Also washing the rock makes it good as new pretty much, which makes it usable. I do not really see a difference between washing the rock and treating it so its safe. They both have the same end point.

 

[Harold Green]

I apologize you're absolutely right. However the discussion veered into what treatments would be necessary to remove certain things. If you get into chemical residue is it really worth chancing reusing it when you don't have a way to test for poisons. For rock that's dry but not exposed to other hazards then a basic rinse will usually be enough.

 

[Mearle]

I've gotten rock that ppl put around there driveway for decoration been there for yearsss just natural florida rock I rinse it then bleach it, then use rodi with hydrogen peroxide to kill the bleach then just fill a bucket and soak it change the water every hour or so never had a problem if it's big rock cycle it first if it's small throw it in the tank

 

[jh2pizza]

I was considering just replacing the rock for the new set up due to it being covered with a purple, reddish turf algae. I cleaned it before but it come right back. Im going to assume it was caused by being in the return lines, over flows, etc. With everything new and a UV to catch any Algae in the water column, I would think I have a better chance at controlling it.

Other than rinsing the Chlorine out of the rock before acid bath, does it have to dry or use something to remove the bleach first in its entirety first?

 

[joshkirkland83]

I was considering just replacing the rock for the new set up due to it being covered with a purple, reddish turf algae. I cleaned it before but it come right back. Im going to assume it was caused by being in the return lines, over flows, etc. With everything new and a UV to catch any Algae in the water column, I would think I have a better chance at controlling it.

Other than rinsing the Chlorine out of the rock before acid bath, does it have to dry or use something to remove the bleach first in its entirety first?

Have you tried peroxide to remove the algae?

 

[jh2pizza]

I have on bare rock and a few Zoos, but most of the LPS has some on their skeleton.

 

[mfinn]

Other than rinsing the Chlorine out of the rock before acid bath, does it have to dry or use something to remove the bleach first in its entirety first?

I like to use a strong dechlorinator soak.
http://www.petsmart.com/fish/dechlo...dechlorinator-zid36-18142/cat-36-catid-300031

Or any product like Prime.

Or just let it dry out for a couple days. The chlorine will dissipate on it's own.