Would you trust this rock?

[asperkolls]

I purchased some used dry rock that has not been in an aquarium for years from somebody who had gotten out of the hobby. Setting up a new 400 gallon setup. Was thinking about aquaping with this or putting it in my sump. Many of the coral skeleton pieces that this person provided has this bluish hue. I broke off a piece and is definitely white inside. What could have caused this coral to have started turning blue? And should I trust it? It is not plastic, or resin? And definitely feels real.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I wouldn't use any second hand rocks without a thorough bleaching first.

 

[JTP424]

Agreed, bleach and RO soak and then another RO soak to test TDS to make sure it's not leaching anything :)

 

[asperkolls]

Agreed, bleach and RO soak and then another RO soak to test TDS to make sure it's not leaching anything :)

I apologize if this is an idiotic question. I agree that that's a great idea. And I was planning on doing a bleach cure. How long after the repeat ro soak would you reccomend me waiting for the tds test. Also would it not be elevated Anyway given the composition of the stone?

 

[JTP424]

Not an idiotic question at all.

You can totally skip the TDS. I just do it to double check. Technically it shouldn't leach anything if all it's organic matter has been bleached/killed etc.
I typically do 7 day bleach, RODI rinse, 1-2 days fresh RODI, then the second RODI for only a day and test.

 

[JTP424]

I based my process of this, and modified to what I like

 

[asperkolls]

Not an idiotic question at all.

You can totally skip the TDS. I just do it to double check. Technically it shouldn't leach anything if all it's organic matter has been bleached/killed etc.
I typically do 7 day bleach, RODI rinse, 1-2 days fresh RODI, then the second RODI for only a day and test.

I was able to obtain about 600 pounds of dry rock at about a dollar a pound. Because it's a 400 gallon 10 foot long peninsula aquarium, i need a lot of rock work, and I thought this could help me do it on a budget. Although now I'm second thinking this decision. I also have a 330 gallon IBC tote that I was planning on incorporating into the sump, which would contain a majority of the rock, which I figured I could seed with live rock and bottled bacteria, to act as a ginormous biological filter. Im planning on plumbing it this weekend

 

[JTP424]

You could soak a sample piece in some RO and send it off for an ICP before investing in buckets of bleach?

 

[mpatterson42]

I was able to obtain about 600 pounds of dry rock at about a dollar a pound. Because it's a 400 gallon 10 foot long peninsula aquarium, i need a lot of rock work, and I thought this could help me do it on a budget. Although now I'm second thinking this decision. I also have a 330 gallon IBC tote that I was planning on incorporating into the sump, which would contain a majority of the rock, which I figured I could seed with live rock and bottled bacteria, to act as a ginormous biological filter. Im planning on plumbing it this weekend

Good luck with that! I got about 200 pounds of rock for cheap and decided to bleach cure it. I could only fit about 40 pounds at a time in my brute trash can, although I had two so I would bleach one set for 5 days, then do a few rounds of RODI soaking with Seachem Prime to get out the bleach in the other one. By the time it was over and with the time I spent on everything it might've been better for my sanity and time to just buy it at the normal price!

 

[asperkolls]

Good luck with that! I got about 200 pounds of rock for cheap and decided to bleach cure it. I could only fit about 40 pounds at a time in my brute trash can, although I had two so I would bleach one set for 5 days, then do a few rounds of RODI soaking with Seachem Prime to get out the bleach in the other one. By the time it was over and with the time I spent on everything it might've been better for my sanity and time to just buy it at the normal price!

I'm definitely learning that the hard way

 

[Sportn]

I was able to obtain about 600 pounds of dry rock at about a dollar a pound. Because it's a 400 gallon 10 foot long peninsula aquarium, i need a lot of rock work, and I thought this could help me do it on a budget. Although now I'm second thinking this decision. I also have a 330 gallon IBC tote that I was planning on incorporating into the sump, which would contain a majority of the rock, which I figured I could seed with live rock and bottled bacteria, to act as a ginormous biological filter. Im planning on plumbing it this weekend

Who made your tank and are you happy with it? My RedSea 650 peninsula is leaking (I'm upset and ticked and will not purchase another RS tank). I need a new 200G peninsula from a good source.

 

[mpatterson42]

I was able to obtain about 600 pounds of dry rock at about a dollar a pound. Because it's a 400 gallon 10 foot long peninsula aquarium, i need a lot of rock work, and I thought this could help me do it on a budget. Although now I'm second thinking this decision. I also have a 330 gallon IBC tote that I was planning on incorporating into the sump, which would contain a majority of the rock, which I figured I could seed with live rock and bottled bacteria, to act as a ginormous biological filter. Im planning on plumbing it this weekend

Who made your tank and are you happy with it? My RedSea 650 peninsula is leaking (I'm upset and ticked and will not purchase another RS tank). I need a new 200G peninsula from a good source.

While I didn't end up getting it I was very close to getting an Innovative Marine 200. I ended up finding something local but IM makes great tanks.

 

[fishface NJ]

Who made your tank and are you happy with it? My RedSea 650 peninsula is leaking (I'm upset and ticked and will not purchase another RS tank). I need a new 200G peninsula from a good source.

If you want quality go with @Joe Glass Cages

 

[fishface NJ]

@asperkolls did you decide on a rock? If you are unable to 100% live rock from the ocean, consider seeding the dead rock with live rock. I have had wonderful experience with KP Aquatics. Shipped to my home in water, with no aiptasia. I have had 5 purchases in the past 7 years.

 

[KrisReef]

I wouldn't bother to bleach rock unless it was covered in rotten algae or other slimy funk that I wanted to degrade. If it's just dirty looking, nothing to worry about except copper and possibly high phosphate levels.

I would soak for a day in RODI and then test for copper and phosphate to see what, if anything, comes off the rock. If Copper is zero and phosphate is low (you pick a number you are comfortable with) then I would just add salt and a piece of fresh live rock and let nature take its course.

I do like bleach in hotel tubs, but for a reef tank I think the natural dirty look isn't a health issue.