Cleaning reef rock

[Sean Norman]

My reef tank has been up and running for a few years. At some point I noticed a brown Star Polyp beginning to grow on a coral frag. I quickly got rid of it only to find more growing in other areas. It soon took over and killed off my Zoa’s by smothering them. I have tried F-Aptasia, manual removal and nothing has worked. I have decided to tear the tank down and try and start over. I want to do a different aqua cape and do a better job at building purposeful rock work that will enhance the livestock’s environment. I did that on another tank I set up and it turned out great. I do not want to waste the rock I have but I also do not want to go through having the polyp return. I would like to pressure wash the existing rock and let it sit outside, break it up and build a new structure. Does anyone have any thoughts on the process to ensure that everything would be killed off on the rock.. am I taking too much of a chance that some of it could survive a cold water pressure wash and a few weeks sitting outside in dry air?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Put the rocks in a bleach water bucket with a powerhead for a few days, it will melt off all organics and turn the rocks white. Then empty the bucket and fill it with freshwater to rinse for a few days, and I change the water again for a few days as a last rinse, then the rocks are good to go. Pressure wash will only clean the outside surface of the rock, but you need to clean deep inside the cracks and holes.