Dead rock

[NYCTURBO]

Guys need some advice I have a bunch of what was once live rock and now is very dead has been sitting around in a tank with sand in about 2 inches of water for probably a year or possibly more??its gross picked it up from a member that diddent want it any more. What should I do to clean it and kill anything that is growing on it mold etc....

 

[Waleedwale1]

Throw it in a tub of boiling water, then cold water, then a vinegar bath. Finally just let it sit in regular water for all the die off to get off and you should be good.

 

[cmantis]

Muric acid bath look it up.

 

[James983]

Muric acid bath look it up.

+1
I will add that a 20% bleach bath prior helps greatly. Then do the Muriatic Acid bath. Do both outside.

I have used this process with great success.

 

[NYCTURBO]

Not sure want is on the rock dont know if i have to go as extream as acid bath? I was told the tank had a crash the heater malfunctioned and the tank overheated and that everything died while he was at work? so he took out most of the water and left about 3-4 inches of water and about 3 inches of sand in the tank for a long long time?? the tank smelled really bad and the rock looks like mold or something was growing on it so I hoping a good bath in bleach for a week will do it with fresh RODI water after that but I don't want to take a chance i will be setting up a new bigger tank soon and want everthing to smoth advice please.

 

[NYCTURBO]

Thank for the responses guys I will reserch the acid bath more. Looks like the safest way so far but not looking forward to. it if I can do it another way I'd like to.

 

[oh207]

Be very very careful with the acid if you go that route. As mentioned, do it outdoors and be sure to wear protective gear, goggles, mask, high grade gloves, etc.
And do it in a far away and safe location. Depending on the amount of rock and size of container, it could foam over.
Bleach is a good alternative.

 

[NYCTURBO]

Sorry if this is a stupid question but Since I have some time before I set up my 90G I think I will try the bleach method first. Do just put all the rock in a big tub with a power head and mix reg tap water and beach? For how long and then let it dry out? I have a 30 gallon that is running great and everything is happy including the rock. So can I use that rock to seed the new rock when I transfer it into the 90G?