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Post by hitmanhoos on Jul 26, 2009 19:41:05 GMT -5
I have 100 + pounds of old dead Fiji rock in my garage. It's been there for years. It was taken out of a tank that was covered in hair algae and I'm sure was full of phosphates. I didn't use a RODI at the time. I yanked the rock out, threw it in the garage and started over.
My question is, can this rock be rehabilitated? If I bleach the rock will the phosphates and nitrates remain?
Would I just be wasting my time?
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Post by ADMIN2 on Jul 26, 2009 19:44:39 GMT -5
Yes it can be.
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L0S3R
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Post by L0S3R on Jul 26, 2009 21:08:19 GMT -5
I would bleach it then let it dry out for a few days then I would throw them in a bin and cook them for a couple months. After awhile all the nitrates and phosphates will be used up untill theres none left.
To cook them you want to put them in a bin with heat, powerhead, and darkness. You want to keep an eye on phosphates and nitrates. Once they raise to a few ppm (mainly the phosphates) do a 50% water change. Keep doing it that way untill you can go a week or 2 without reading any phosphates. Then you need to check all parameters and you will know its safe to add to tank.
The reason for not using lights is so the algae wont take hold. The phosphates will just leak out of the rock untill the water has taken so much it doesnt freely except any more. Which is where the 50% water change comes into play. Reducing the dissolved phosphates down so more can dissolve off the rock. Every other waterchange ( or every change depending on accessible water) needs to be 100% that way you can completely free up the water column.
Its really not as complicated as it may sound I am just not good with words. And yes its with saltwater.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
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Post by carb850 on Jul 26, 2009 23:04:39 GMT -5
I wouldn't bleach them if all you were fighting was hair algae. After a year, it all should be dead. I'd just pressure wash them then cook them as l0ser mentioned. I purchased some Fiji rock off a guy which had been dry for a week. I just put it in the heated dark saltwater with good water movement. I cooked it for a year but only because the build keep taking longer than I figured.  |
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Post by hitmanhoos on Jul 27, 2009 6:26:21 GMT -5
Cool, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a lost cause.
Thanks, guys.
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Post by ADMIN2 on Jul 27, 2009 9:03:25 GMT -5
I would use bleach to help remove organics. Then I would do a bath in vinegar water to dissolve the top layer of the rock as it will help take the phosphate out of it. After these two steps I would do what Loser said.
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Post by ADMIN2 on Jul 28, 2009 9:15:31 GMT -5
Trying to make the rock go to rehab, they say no no no.
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cdeboard
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Post by cdeboard on Jul 28, 2009 12:03:40 GMT -5
LOL phil... tooooo much
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Solareclipsed
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Post by Solareclipsed on Jul 28, 2009 13:52:31 GMT -5
Phil you are absolutely nuts.
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Post by hitmanhoos on Jul 31, 2009 14:14:18 GMT -5
How much bleach should I use? I hosed off the rock and put it in a tub with about 25 gallons of water, and several power heads.
What ratio water\bleach & water\vinegar
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