Tank Decor

[Todd A.]

I'm setting up my first marine aquarium (FOWLR, 90 cube) and wanted some feedback on some tank décor I have added to my set up. I purchased some used aquarium equipment (which I probably won't do again), and received three nice looking pieces of dried coral. In the pic, the largest one is in the center, a smaller one in bottom right and the third is on top of the live rock, center left. The individual I got the coral from claims it was in his marine fish tank for many years. My question is; Is this coral safe to use as tank decorations? The concern I have is with how the coral was preserved (w/bleach or other caustic chemicals?). My tank is going on day 14 with 80# live sand, 100# live rock, no inhabitants yet. All of my basic water parameters have been "normal" since the first time I tested, around day 5, all "0"s except nitrates which have hovered around 10ppm, but those tests probably wouldn't show any chemicals that may be leaching out of the coral. But maybe I'm just being paranoid. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

[cloak]

Yeah, those coral skeletons are probably safe to use. If anything was ever used on them it was probably a little bleach to keep them nice and white, but as long as you gave them a good rinse under the faucet you should be ok. GL.

 

[Wicked5oh]

Bleach evaporates.

 

[reefwiser]

Safe to use. When you bleach the pieces just use a bottle of Dechlor to remove the chlorine bleach. Use to do it all the time. Back in the day you would have two set's of corals one that would be soaking in bleach between water changes. :)

 

[Todd A.]

Thanks for the info!