Fresh start. How to clean live rock.

[Gdk414]

So I just picked up a biocube and the liverock is covered in hair algae. I want to start fresh and clean everything. I tried scrubbing it off with a wire brush but wasn't too effective.
What is a good way to remove all that stubborn green hair algae so I can re cure/ re cycle this rock and tank. Thanks

 

[Gdk414]

Also wondering if I could clean the sand? Or should I throw it away?

 

[Fish_BowLisha]

So I just picked up a biocube and the liverock is covered in hair algae. I want to start fresh and clean everything. I tried scrubbing it off with a wire brush but wasn't too effective.
What is a good way to remove all that stubborn green hair algae so I can re cure/ re cycle this rock and tank. Thanks

Looks like a great piece for a refugium[emoji854]

 

[Fish_BowLisha]

Looks like a great piece for a refugium[emoji854]

You could just leave it, cycle the tank, and get a yellow tang. Mine did an awesome job munching on green algae. [emoji225]

 

[JaimeAdams]

I would get new sand. The rock I would clean in bleach first, rinse well, dry out and then a nice bath in muriatic acid. Try to search function and will find many write ups on the process.

 

[Elementalj]

If you've got time and resources, why not re-cure it. Should take about 6-8 weeks.

 

[Gdk414]

I was hoping there was a method to clean the rock like boiling it or cooking it in the oven? Maybe a pressure washer? Am I just crazy lol and should start with new rock.? I want to use it in the biocube. I don't mind waiting months or weeks for it to be live again

 

[Elementalj]

I was hoping there was a method to clean the rock like boiling it or cooking it in the oven? Maybe a pressure washer? Am I just crazy lol and should start with new rock.? I want to use it in the biocube. I don't mind waiting months or weeks for it to be live again

I would not do that. Atomizing the stuff coming off the rock could possibly poison you or your housemates. Remember, not all living things are peaceful in death.

 

[Elementalj]

I was hoping there was a method to clean the rock like boiling it or cooking it in the oven? Maybe a pressure washer? Am I just crazy lol and should start with new rock.? I want to use it in the biocube. I don't mind waiting months or weeks for it to be live again

A vinegar bath will acidify just about everything on the surface. It'll also degrade the exterior of the rock. With bleach, the porosity of the rock becomes the hazard, because the chlorine can become trapped somewhere inside, and later released. Just take the time and scrub, and recycle in a tub or five gallon bucket with a lid. The algae will die off in darkness and decompose further feeding the nitrifying bacteria.

 

[twilliard]

soak it with H2O2 :)

 

[Elementalj]

soak it with H2O2 :)

Well, that'll work too.

 

[Gdk414]

That stuff was stubborn! I used the power washer to get it off. Looks good!