New Tank Same Rock?

[Theaviator]

Hello! I have a question. I recently struggled with Dino’s in my 80 gallon tank. Took about six months, if not longer, to win the battle. But time prevailed and I finally have them beat. It’s been 6 months with no sign of Dino’s. I am setting up a new smaller tank to now be my main tank. It’s just getting a little bit harder for me to take care of an 80 gallon.
My question is, do you think it’s a good idea to use the rock from my current tank in my new tank? I definitely don’t want Dino’s again. But I feel like I’d be missing out on all the good bacteria that’s now in my older tank. I do see some aiptasia on one of the rock that I’ve been handling. So I don’t want that to spread. But do you think I should just buy all new rock and start over? Or good idea to bring this rock to the new tank?

 

[BanZI29]

As long as you KNOW the dinos are gone, and you physically take off the aiptasia, you should be good to use it in your new tank.

 

[Theaviator]

As long as you KNOW the dinos are gone, and you physically take off the aiptasia, you should be good to use it in your new tank.

I guess I can’t guarantee they are gone. I was always told they would be there forever in low amounts. I can check some sand with my microscope and see for sure.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally, if it was me, I would put the rocks into a bucket with bleach water and a powerhead for a week, you will end up with clean white base rocks, no need to spend money on that.

If you can find a few small pieces of rock that are not infected with aptaisia or something else, you can add it to the new tank, even the smallest piece of rubble will eventually populate all the rocks. I usually also add a cup of sand from my existing tank to the new tank.

 

[Theaviator]

Personally, if it was me, I would put the rocks into a bucket with bleach water and a powerhead for a week, you will end up with clean white base rocks, no need to spend money on that.

If you can find a few small pieces of rock that are not infected with aptaisia or something else, you can add it to the new tank, even the smallest piece of rubble will eventually populate all the rocks. I usually also add a cup of sand from my existing tank to the new tank.

I think I may just start over with “new” live rock. It seems to risky. Why risk it really.

 

[Idech]

I would use your existing rock. At least you know they went through dinos and there is a reasonable chance they won’t reappear.

If you use new ones, or bleach these ones, then IMO the probability of them reoccurring is greater.

Don’t reuse the sand though. Or rinse it really, really well. Lots of horror stories with reusing old sand.