Rock questions

aquamann183 · 02/27/2017, 04:46 PM

Hey guys and gals,
I have had some rock sitting in a bin for around a year now.. I just leak tested my 150 and am now ready to drain it, and put the saltwater, live sand, and rock in.

When I started looking at the rock I noticed some of it didn't look the complete best, so I took the bin outside a couple days ago and filled it with rodi water. I took all the rock out today and scrubbed them the best I could with a tooth brush. I now plan on letting the rock sit in the sun for a day or so.

However, I believe some algae grew on some of the rock even just from sitting in the bin..

I also have a couple pieces with some of this black stuff on it, but it was like this before putting the rock outside in the bin.

If I let the rock sit in the sun for a day or two will that be good enough? I would probably swish them around in some rodi water right before putting them in the tank, but I'm just seeing what you guys suggest I do with the rock.

Thank you everyone!
Happy reefing!

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mcgyvr · 02/27/2017, 05:24 PM

Maybe..
The rock could be loaded with phosphates.. sitting in the sun isn't going to change that..

Many will use bleach or muriatic acid.. Some cure it in saltwater and test/run lanthanum chloride (phosphate binder)..
At this point you really don't know what could be in store for you..

Could you be totally fine just using as is.. Maybe..

aquamann183 · 02/27/2017, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Maybe..
The rock could be loaded with phosphates.. sitting in the sun isn't going to change that..

Many will use bleach or muriatic acid.. Some cure it in saltwater and test/run lanthanum chloride (phosphate binder)..
At this point you really don't know what could be in store for you..

Could you be totally fine just using as is.. Maybe..

Yeah, I know it's better to be safe than sorry, and I'm okay with taking the precautions. I'm just not comfortable using muriatic acid and what not since I've never done it before. How long does the whole process take?

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aquamann183 · 02/27/2017, 07:13 PM

I'm leading away from the acid bath and more towards just curing the rock in saltwater. How hot should I have the heater during this process?

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tmnigat · 02/28/2017, 12:11 AM

I would keep it around 78 or so, try to mimic your reef conditions.

aquamann183 · 02/28/2017, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmnigat

I would keep it around 78 or so, try to mimic your reef conditions.

Okay, thank you. I just wasn't sure if it was supposed to be hotter for any particular reason.

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air2mag · 02/28/2017, 08:37 AM

My dry rock looked very similar to yours. I cured it in salt water and dosed lanthanum chloride daily. It took about four weeks to get the phosphate levels down. There is a great thread on here I read through before I did mine. It explains the whole process. Great information.

aquamann183 · 02/28/2017, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by air2mag

My dry rock looked very similar to yours. I cured it in salt water and dosed lanthanum chloride daily. It took about four weeks to get the phosphate levels down. There is a great thread on here I read through before I did mine. It explains the whole process. Great information.

Can you link the forum if you remember what it was?
Also, where did you buy the lanthanum chloride?
Thanks!

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02/27/2017, 04:46 PM	#1
aquamann183 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 357	Rock questions Hey guys and gals, I have had some rock sitting in a bin for around a year now.. I just leak tested my 150 and am now ready to drain it, and put the saltwater, live sand, and rock in. When I started looking at the rock I noticed some of it didn't look the complete best, so I took the bin outside a couple days ago and filled it with rodi water. I took all the rock out today and scrubbed them the best I could with a tooth brush. I now plan on letting the rock sit in the sun for a day or so. However, I believe some algae grew on some of the rock even just from sitting in the bin.. I also have a couple pieces with some of this black stuff on it, but it was like this before putting the rock outside in the bin. If I let the rock sit in the sun for a day or two will that be good enough? I would probably swish them around in some rodi water right before putting them in the tank, but I'm just seeing what you guys suggest I do with the rock. Thank you everyone! Happy reefing! Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

02/27/2017, 05:24 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Maybe.. The rock could be loaded with phosphates.. sitting in the sun isn't going to change that.. Many will use bleach or muriatic acid.. Some cure it in saltwater and test/run lanthanum chloride (phosphate binder).. At this point you really don't know what could be in store for you.. Could you be totally fine just using as is.. Maybe.. __________________ Who me?

02/27/2017, 07:13 PM	#4
aquamann183 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 357	I'm leading away from the acid bath and more towards just curing the rock in saltwater. How hot should I have the heater during this process? Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

02/28/2017, 12:11 AM	#5
tmnigat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 93	I would keep it around 78 or so, try to mimic your reef conditions.

02/28/2017, 08:37 AM	#7
air2mag Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Indiana Posts: 56	My dry rock looked very similar to yours. I cured it in salt water and dosed lanthanum chloride daily. It took about four weeks to get the phosphate levels down. There is a great thread on here I read through before I did mine. It explains the whole process. Great information.