Live Rock - Reincarnated (Acid Bath)

[jbdreefs]

I forgot to mention that I ended up leaving the rock in the acid bath for about two hours. From a distance, the reaction looked like it had stopped at around 30 minutes. Upon a closer inspection, the solution was still bubbling.

I put the rock in a curing tank last night, with RO water. When I get home this evening, I'll test the PH and for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate to see if there is any sort of a cycle happening. If I go home at a decent hour tomorrow, I'm going to do a water change for DT. Then I'll use the waste water for the curing tank, add beneficial bacteria and monitor for a few days. If all goes well, I'll add the rock to the DT this weekend.

 

[crobattt]

wow, this is a really cool thread , cant wait to see your DT

 

[jbdreefs]

As I suspected, not being able to rinse the hidden goop from "inside" the rock was a good reason to be cautious. My curing bin is showing an ammonia spike. This could be interesting...

 

[sgt_slaughter]

I'm curious to see if you'll have a short or long cycle on those. Keep the posts coming, I'm interested in doing this too... If it works.
I am also concerned about stuff growing back again after x period in the tank.

 

[basscyn]

Tagging in.

 

[ichthyoid]

FWIW- You could use a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (or two) to drive the oxidation of residual organics if desired. Otherwise a 'mini cycle' will do it, just more slowly. The H2O2 will kill everything. Just let dry out after.

 

[jbdreefs]

ichthyoid;726253 wrote: FWIW- You could use a bottle of hydrogen peroxide (or two) to drive the oxidation of residual organics if desired. Otherwise a 'mini cycle' will do it, just more slowly. The H2O2 will kill everything. Just let dry out after.

Thanks for the tip. I may try that if this 'mini cycle' looks like it's going to take too long. When you say "drive", do you mean that the peroxide will foam (or what it normally does) and help push the residual organics out of the rock?

 

[ichthyoid]

JBDreefs;726258 wrote: Thanks for the tip. I may try that if this 'mini cycle' looks like it's going to take too long. When you say "drive", do you mean that the peroxide will foam (or what it normally does) and help push the residual organics out of the rock?

Any organic material, whether from dead/dieing tissue or not will eventually get oxidized. This means it gets 'chewed up' at the molecular level. This can happen from bacterial action or other means, such as the peroxide. By 'drive' I mean to accelerate this action. Peroxide will 'bleach' and help to sterilize with no residuals, if allowed to dry out (degrades to water and oxygen).

 

[islandreef]

Thanh386;725117 wrote: If you do gas yourself, can I have your tank?

Man show him how much you love him . Second in line HAAAAAA just kidding.

On a serious note, just be careful.

 

[no1bubba]

dme330i;725334 wrote: Actually, the stuff is loaded with dead sponges, etc. I got some pukani from BRS and there is a lot of organic material. I was planning to "cook" but this acid wash may save me some time.

I just started to cure my Pukani from BRS...they told me after 4 weeks curing it could go into the tank. Are you saying that there is going to be another step before I can add this? Bubba

 

[jbdreefs]

No, I think he was talking about doing the acid bath in lieu of curing for four weeks. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[reefknight]

Sgt.Slaughter;726222 wrote: I'm curious to see if you'll have a short or long cycle on those. Keep the posts coming, I'm interested in doing this too... If it works.
I am also concerned about stuff growing back again after x period in the tank.

Same here

I have sun bleached my rock in the past and left it to dry out, blasted it with fresh water to remove organics and what I was attempting to get rid of came back in six months. Also wondering if he'll cycle with this rock.

 

[jbdreefs]

Update...
After a week of leaving the rock in a curing tank, I'm detecting ammonia. I believe that the nitrite test just started showing nitrites today. It was not conclusive however... I'm planning a water change today and I will be adding the jump starting bacteria. I'll continue to post my progress.

 

[ichthyoid]

FWIW- the bacteria will do better if your ammonia is above 3ppm. You can buy some at Ace Hardware without surfactants in it (does not foam up when shaken).

You will need to feed the initial bacteria (nitrosococcus) some more ammonia along the way, for best results.

This link is very insightful, and suggested reading, imo. Dr. Johnson's (a D.V.M.) 'Tips' are a real bonus!

I might recommend running a 'detuned' skimmer (no skimmate production), in order to keep the oxygen level high >80% saturation. Also monitor your pH and alkalinity, as they are important to the nitrifiers, as well.

Keep posting, this is great stuff!

 

[rdnelson]

Ok bill. I just have to share so that eveyone else will never look at you the same again. When I see your screen name, I can't help but read it as "Itchy Thyroid". There, now everyone else will see it too. hehehehe

 

[ichthyoid]

Yep Rich, I can see that.

FWIW- I had my 'itchy-thyroid' removed 3 years ago. It didn't want to play nice.

 

[redstang]

Tagging along.

 

[jbdreefs]

Update, day 11...

I did a water change on day 7. I used waste water from the display tank. I also added maybe a teaspoon or two of the jump starting bacteria.

Now at day 11, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates are about 5.

I'm feeling pretty good, but I'm wondering if the stuff I added to the water is just a temporary fix. Depending on whether or not the tests are still good this weekend and the feedback you provide. I may add the rock to the display on Sunday, after doing an ammonia test (add ammonia, test after 24 hours). If I read no ammonia after the 24 hours, I'm good right? Thoughts?

 

[sgt_slaughter]

Sounds right to me

 

[basscyn]

Looks like a quick fix to traditional rock curing/cooking to me.
I would have <u>never</u> considered using muratic acid in an application like this. Just doesnt sound like a good idea. But, seems once its neuturalized it rinses clean.

I may have missed it in an earlier post, but I dont know why you would introduce the jump starting bacteria. Is this a completly new build?

I have a lot of old dead, funky rock I want to do this to just to add rock to my sump and refugium. I guess I could do it on a larger scale. I would be doing this in a 32gallon brute.