Used live rock

[rugerjr]

I just bought some rock from a guy that pulled it out of his 90 gallon reef tank about a year ago. It's been out of water since. Will I need to do anything to the rock before placing in my established tank? Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[JOKER]

I think I would cure it before adding to an established tank. That way you don't throw your tank into a cycle and possibly lose everything.

 

[vic67]

How much rock are you trying to add to your tank? If you wanted to go slow you could add a piece at a time. Any die off would be neutralized by your exsisting bacteria.
But the safest way would to be to cure it before adding.

 

[rugerjr]

I decided to cure it since I am doubling the amount of rock in my tank. I put it in the bucket of saltwater with a power head last night and it stunk today when I got home from work. I also got some sand from the guys old tank. It's all been dry for about a year. Do I need to cure sand also? I've never added to my tank like this. Thanks for the replies!

 

[fishroomlady]

You don't need to cure sand. you'll just want to wash it really, really well before adding.

 

[rugerjr]

Ok. Can I use tap water to wash it? Or do I need to use salt water?

 

[vic67]

I would use tap water to rinse it. When it's clean one last rinse in RODI water before adding it to your tank.

 

[rugerjr]

Awesome! Thank you guys for all of the replies!