Live rock smells like smoke, would you use it?

[Tanster2]

Hi all, long time no see.

I got some old dry rock from some family members who are smokers. The rock smells a bit like cigarette smoke, but it's really nice rock and I cannot bring myself to throw it away. I am doing a tank transfer soon and would like to use some of it, and I don't have time to cook it or soak it in any chemical solution. I am letting it sit over night in some very salty water, and then evaluating it tomorrow.

Anyone every been in this situation? If I do use it in my tank, I'll be running carbon right off the bat to soak up any impurities.

Thanks,

 

[eliphant]

Would it help to throw carbon and a power head in the tub you’re soaking the rock in right now?

 

[Tanster2]

Would it help to throw carbon and a power head in the tub you’re soaking the rock in right now?

chucked a power head in and ill add some carbon too, good thinking!

 

[ichthyoid]

Give it all a bath in 2% citric acid, then a good rinse in DI water. The citric acid will dissolve a small amount of the rock surface and any smoke deposited along with it.

fwiw, I would do this anyway on used rock. As phosphate also gets deposited on rock during use anyway. The citric acid has a unique affinity for making phosphate soluble.

 

[Tanster2]

Give it all a bath in 2% citric acid, then a good rinse in DI water. The citric acid will dissolve a small amount of the rock surface and any smoke deposited along with it.

fwiw, I would do this anyway on used rock. As phosphate also gets deposited on rock during use anyway. The citric acid has a unique affinity for making phosphate soluble.

Thank you, I'll go ahead and go this route.

 

[Tanster2]

Give it all a bath in 2% citric acid, then a good rinse in DI water. The citric acid will dissolve a small amount of the rock surface and any smoke deposited along with it.

fwiw, I would do this anyway on used rock. As phosphate also gets deposited on rock during use anyway. The citric acid has a unique affinity for making phosphate soluble.

How long would you soak in each respectively?

 

[andrewjjones1212]

i always compare the price of the livestock it could potentially effect vs what it would cost to just get new dry rock or something. Most of the time its best to play it safe i've found

 

[Tanster2]

i always compare the price of the livestock it could potentially effect vs what it would cost to just get new dry rock or something. Most of the time its best to play it safe i've found

Agreed, I gave it a quick bath in acid and rinsed it. It's already in the tank with my already cycled rock, and everything's happy and healthy!