cleaning old rock?

[scubagirl12]

i just collected a couple handfuls of old coral/rock that were lying around my room as decoration (i sound like such a nerd with my ocean themed room). they would be great pieces for frags or rubble. can i just soak them in hot water before throwing them in or should i soak them in vinegar or something?

 

[cameron]

I would boil them and make sure they are actual reef rock or dead coral. Lots of rock from rivers and such contain copper and that would be bad... very bad.

 

[jefft]

I told the last person that posted about old rocks the same thing...chunk it, the price of live rock or base rock is cheap enough to buy. Don't take a chance with old rock.

 

[ralph atl]

I would agree with the above posts 100% unless you PERSONALLY took them out of the ocean yourself AND you only needed like 1 or 2 for a specific reason. Then, and only then, boil them first. I needed a specific size & shape rock that just happened to be exactly the same size as a couple of pieces I got off a beach in Lauderdale about 20 years ago. It's in my tank. Although it fulfilled what I needed in my sump, it's not very porous like "normal" live rock. But hey it was only 3, 4" pieces. If you're looking to supplement your tank, then I state again, choose Jefft & Cameron's advice.