How to wash life rock?

POIUY678 · Dec 21, 2022

I'm getting into the hobby and I just got CaribSea life rock. I've seen some people say that I would need to rinse it first before putting it in. Would I need to rinse it with tap water, RODI water, or saltwater?

MoshJosh · Dec 21, 2022

I was mine with tap water then air dry. . . no issues so far.

mfinn · Dec 21, 2022

POIUY678 said:
I'm getting into the hobby and I just got CaribSea life rock. I've seen some people say that I would need to rinse it first before putting it in. Would I need to rinse it with tap water, RODI water, or saltwater?

Since it is new dry rock, I would probably rinse it off in tap water. Just a rinse to remove surface dust.
I see no need to use ro/di or saltwater. It's just a rinse.

rocknurworld · Jan 12, 2023

mfinn said:
Since it is new dry rock, I would probably rinse it off in tap water. Just a rinse to remove surface dust.

I see no need to use ro/di or saltwater. It's just a rinse.

will it not damage the dormont bacteria in it rinsing in tap water?

flyingscampi · Jan 12, 2023

As above, I rinsed mine in tap water and left it for a day to dry.

mfinn · Jan 12, 2023

What is this dormant bacteria in dead dry rock? Never heard of such a thing.

kados · Jan 12, 2023

Rinse with tap water and put right in for me. No need to worry about minimal tap water.

danenelsen · Jan 13, 2023

I would just rinse it with tap and then let it dry for a day or two.

Cell · Jan 13, 2023

I would either rinse with tap and allow to dry or just rinse with RODI and be done. If it's a small amount, then a couple cups of RODI is no big deal.

WB20 · Aug 17, 2023

POIUY678 said:
I'm getting into the hobby and I just got CaribSea life rock. I've seen some people say that I would need to rinse it first before putting it in. Would I need to rinse it with tap water, RODI water, or saltwater?

I am getting ready to do the same. How did it work out for you?

MoshJosh · Aug 17, 2023

WB20 said:
I am getting ready to do the same. How did it work out for you?

I always just rinse it in warm/hot tap water then put it in the tank. Drying it is probably best. . . but I don't always dry it and has never caused an issue.