Using Lace Rock

I picked up 50 lbs of lace rock from a stone store here in town.
Can I use it for a new tank? How do I clean/sanitize it?

It has some weird looking stuff on it - not sure what it is..
Is it safe?????

 

Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation Home Page ive been reading about curing live rock for at least 2hrs
theres a article on lacerock on that site
hope this helps...

 

At first glance it appears to be some kind of mineral. Some type of metal perhaps.

 

How can I tell that it is safe to use?

 

When in doubt...don't use it! It may be iron? The best overall way to sterilize rock is by using bleach and soak it, but remember to rinse it off very well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The stuff on the rock came off after a little scrubbing with a wire brush.
I let it soak in vinger and water for a bit then brushed it with the brush.
Could it be just moss or something like that??

I'm going to hit it with a 3000 psi washer latter today..
If it don't come off - it most likey won't

Pete

 

I use lace rock in my freshwater tank, and I have always been told to take all that stuff off. I usually use a wire brush and/or a Dremel tool with a wire bit to get it off. What type of tank are you setting up? Lace rock is ok to use in a fish only SW tank, but I'm not sure if you you should use it in a reef tank.

 

It looks like there is iron in the rock. If it took scrubbing to get it off, it probally was.

At first glance, I thought it was either iron(rusting) or red clay.

 

just found this thread.....too funny! "rust" lol!!!!!