Boil L/R and place into established system?

CLoob · 01-13-2008, 06:22 AM

I have a piece of Tonga L/R in my tank that has valonia on it. The rock is too branchy to reach all the Valonia. Can I boil this piece of L/R, let it dry and then replace it back in my tank with no cycle. My tank has been up and running for a 15 months.

amcarrig · 01-13-2008, 06:29 AM

I wouldn't boil it as you might crack the rock. I would soak it in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water for a day or so. After the bleach soak, rinse the rock and soak it again in clean water for a few days. Rinse and repeat only this time, add a bit of baking soda to the soaking water to neutralize the bleach. Let that sit for another few days then rinse and soak in fresh water for another day or so before you let it air dry.

sssnake · 01-13-2008, 06:35 AM

So you apply the 50/50 solution twice but the second time you add baking soda?

amcarrig · 01-13-2008, 06:47 AM

No, you only soak the rock in 50/50 bleach once. Then rinse the rock and soak again for a few days in fresh water. Then rinse again and soak in fresh water and baking soda. Then rinse and soak one last time for a few days in fresh water and air dry

wastemanagement · 01-13-2008, 07:37 AM

clear as mud.......
sounds good to me I have an ongoing valonia problem also endless bubbles removal

sssnake · 01-13-2008, 07:45 AM

Thanks

ReefSparky · 01-13-2008, 07:47 AM

About 18 years ago when I was a few years into my first "established" SW tank, my hair algae got so bad that I decided to get drastic. I had no fish in the tank at the time, and there wasn't a whole lot of experience out there (certainly no internet forums such as this). I poured about 5 cups of bleach into the tank and just let it "marinate" for a couple of weeks.

Of course, before any introduction of life I had to remove everything and rinse, and rinse, and rinse, but BOY OH BOY was everything clean! LOL. The DR (dead rock) was beautifully white and clean of everything. The CC substrate was shiny as gemrock, but equally devoid of life, and the glass was so clean, I kinda wished I could keep everything just as it was. Moral of the story? You can't have 'em both. Either keep up on your tank maintenance, or suffer the consequences. (that's not directed to you, CLooB, just a rant.)

Over the years, I've baked off my CC substrate for a few hours at 400 degrees F before storage; at times when I've gone from CC to sand, or back again.

Well, I think I finally have my parameters where they're supposed to be, and for the first time in 20 years I have a handle on algae. No more algal problems for me. Sure took long enough!