Reusing old live rock, worth it?

[ShakerBreaker]

So, I've been out for years now and I'm probably going to be starting a new tank.

I've had a brute trash can full of rock from my old tank kept dry for several years now. Id of course like to save a bit of money and reuse it, I've read a few posts here about how best to go about that. I was hoping I might be able to just rinse it all off real good and then start cycling it ahead of time in that same trash can ...

I guess my question is, would it be worth the work? Tanks are expensive and I really don't want to battle with problems from reusing the old rock. but I'm also not in a hurry, haven't even decided on a tank (Spoiler it will probably be a 300xl), so if it's just a time and patience thing, I don't mind, I just don't want to regret it in a year.

 

[shwareefer]

Personally I would buy 1 piece of cured rock from an LFS or another reefer you trust and throw it in with yours and cure it right in that trash can like you said. Or do it right in the tank - same effect.

 

[Idech]

I’m reusing 100 lbs of rocks from my cichlids tank. That’s worth 500$ so I am happy I could keep it.

I looked for advice and it seemed soaking it in bleach and rinsing it was the way to go. I’ve tested it for phosphates (I had some in my previous tank) and there was none. Reusing the sand, on the other hand, was a big no-no for this exact reason.

I would definitely use the rocks you have.

 

[Rmckoy]

I would reuse it …..

But to assure its clean is pressure wash , leave in the sun to dry . And add it back to the brute to cure and cycle .
mad mentioned above pick up a piece of live rock from a lfs or trusted friend to seed yours . But inspect for hitchhikers or pests .

 

[Yates273]

I would clean all rock with a muriatic acid bath, rinse off and let dry in sun.

 

[ShakerBreaker]

This is the rock in question

 

[a.t.t.r]

Soak in ro water for a few days. Drain it and do it again. Run GFO on tank when you set it up until you are sure it isn’t leaching any phosphates.

 

[G Santana]

I had my rock in the tank in my basement collecting dirt and bugs for 25 yrs, I rinsed it off and am using it today. You could add a piece of live rock to help expedite seeding or just use Fritz Zyme turbostart 900 and add fish. It's what I did, it will take longer than live rock to mature, but you will get there.

 

[mermaid_life]

This is the rock in question

Rock looks great. It's the real stuff. I have an appreciation for that type of rock now that everything is marco, etc. Don't get me wrong, I don't advocate for pillaging rock from the ocean. My own tank is all reef saver but I had a few pieces from the ocean from my first tank 5 years ago. If you don't end up using it, definitely don't throw it away!

 

[outhouse]

You will be fine rinse and put in new tank, enjoy. Do not overthink freakin rocks. They are not phosphate traps.

 

[ShakerBreaker]

I would clean all rock with a muriatic acid bath, rinse off and let dry in sun.

What dilution?

 

[ShakerBreaker]

I’m reusing 100 lbs of rocks from my cichlids tank. That’s worth 500$ so I am happy I could keep it.

I looked for advice and it seemed soaking it in bleach and rinsing it was the way to go. I’ve tested it for phosphates (I had some in my previous tank) and there was none. Reusing the sand, on the other hand, was a big no-no for this exact reason.

I would definitely use the rocks you have.

What was the bleach to water ratio you used?

 

[aSaltyKlown]

BRS did a great video comparing acid vs bleach vs regular curing. It's worth checking out and they do give the ratios for the mix.

 

[Idech]

What was the bleach to water ratio you used?

I don’t really remember. I filled a big rubbermaid container with a lid outside and put all the 100 lbs of rocks in it. Filled it with enough water to cover the rocks plenty (maybe 30-40 gallons) from my hose and added bleach directly from the bottle (regular household bleach, no perfume). Maybe 30% of the bottle ?

I could definitely smell the bleach in the water, but it wasn’t an overwhelming smell. Within 24 hours the rocks had completely returned to their original color, a nice off-white for most.

I let it soak for a few days, then rinsed them and let them rest in freshwater. They’re still in their bin, as I haven’t been able to complete my project yet. But I’ll be working on them soon I hope.

 

[Cell]

Dilute bleach 10:1 in water, tap is fine, and soak for about a week.

Make sure it's not splashless bleach or scented. Plain bleach only.

 

[ShakerBreaker]

BRS did a great video comparing acid vs bleach vs regular curing. It's worth checking out and they do give the ratios for the mix.

Thanks, love those guys

 

[homer1475]

ooh god everyone tends to overthink and over analyze everything anyone writes in these forums.

I did about 60 pounds of old pukani. Put them in a 50G brute, filled it up about half way, dumped in a gallon of bleach. Let them sit for a few days, emptied brute, refilled with clean water(all of this is with tap water), let sit for a couple days. Rinsed twice, did a third rinse in prime.

 

[a.t.t.r]

You will be fine rinse and put in new tank, enjoy. Do not overthink freakin rocks. They are not phosphate traps.

They can be since most people have the tank go to trash before they break it down and then leave the rocks to die and dry. Lots of things on /in those rocks have died and they are still sitting there.

 

[outhouse]

They can be since most people have the tank go to trash before they break it down and then leave the rocks to die and dry. Lots of things on /in those rocks have died and they are still sitting there.

Nothing a few water changes won't cure. Most people smart enough to clean the rock before reusing

 

[ShakerBreaker]

I ended up pressure washing it and then putting it in a bleach bath. I'll wait a week, then rinse it off, dechlorinate, re rinse, then start cycling it in the brute trash can. I'll let you know how it goes.