Is my live-rock bad?

thedistance · #1 05/14/2007, 02:07 PM

I had a 75g saltwater tank setup for a few years then I had to take it down. I put about 65 pounds of live rock in a Rubbermaid tub with lid and put in my grandmothers shed with no water. It has been in there for about 2 years because I forgot about it. I just checked on it today and it is not “live rock” anymore. Could I still use that rock for another tank or is the rock no good? I know if I did use it I would have to add more live rock so I could get some good coralline algae, because the live rock I have is dead.

steelerguy · #2 05/14/2007, 03:39 PM

Im sure it will be fine once all the dead organic matter decomposes. You would probably have a long cycle ahead of you unless you try to clean if off really well first.

scoobyrs25 · #3 05/16/2007, 12:34 AM

How do you know when it is ok to place old rock in your tank? I started this hobby about 3 weeks after my buddy stopped. I now have his rock and old tank with 2 water changes worth of salt water. I have two small pumps swirling the water around. My friend had wrapped his rock in newspaper and placed it in buckets.

mflamb · #4 05/19/2007, 02:43 PM

thedistance....Place the dry rock in the sun for a couple of days and then blast it good with a water hose. Dry it again in the sun and put it in a container with saltwater and powerheads. It will work just fine. The time period and the sun and wash should have killed everything. It will be like starting with base rock. All good.

boxfishpooalot · #5 05/25/2007, 12:25 PM

The rock is not bad, but loaded with organic material that now will start a small cycle when introduced to the tank.

Ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, ect. Best bet is to let them sit in the dark in a container with saltwater for a good month or two. Then all the organics will be processed.