Old Live rock???

[MounteeFrag]

I picked up some old dry live rock (a lot of really nice pieces) off of craigslist. I took a wire brush and a screwdriver and scraped off as much old junk that I could, and placed inside a Rubbermaid bin, I'm going to add two powerheads and a heater and fill with tank water from my DT from water change. I'm going to change the water out every two weeks and start measuring for phosphates later. Am I going sbout this correctly?

 

[Velodog2]

My biggest concern with old rock, mine or someone elses, is if it has been in a tank treated with copper. If you are not using it for a reef then this is not a concern. If you are, then I think it is somewhat of an open question of how much copper is retained and what the effects may be.

 

[cdness]

Id do an acid bath on it before cooking the rock. If it has been dry from an unknown tank that is your best option...

 

[MounteeFrag]

Explain acid bath

 

[MounteeFrag]

I can test for copper right?

 

[Velodog2]

I have no idea. "They" say the copper is adsorbed or otherwise bound to the rock itself and can either leach slowly or affect animals in contact with the rock. I feel like I am spreading rumor and innuendo here because I have never seen these claims substantiated, but it's something I consider.