Hypersaline dip for new live rock
 

Can anyone recommend what s.g. I should use for a hypersaline dip for new live rock? I hope to be buying my rock this weekend or next and want to make sure nothing unwanted makes it into the tank. I only want to irritate any inverts that may be hitching but I don't want to kill anything by shocking it.

Doug

I'd never heard of this until I read your post, so naturally I had to look into it. Sounds interesting. It seems a sg of 1.035 to 1.040 for 1 minute will drive out the pests but not kill them. Let me know how it goes.

I have never done this but I have read anywhere from 1.035 to 1.050

Check out the seahorse.org forums, it is a routine there to treat live rock to get rid of bristleworms which are a hazard to seahorses.

I am afraid some of the annoying things like aiptasia will survive a hypersaline dip though.

I have also heard that a quick dunk in club soda will make the nasties literally jump out of the rock. It is not supposed to hurt anything if you do it quickly.

Do you mean you're not sure, or "Unfortunately, the fact is.....some of the annoying things like aipatsia....."

Thanx much and cheers,

I have heard that increasing the SG wont drive many critters out of the rock but a freshwater or club soda dip will for sure, but dont go for too long especially if you have zoos on the rock...

I mean I'm not sure, but since Aiptasia seems to resist most extermination methods I wouldn't expect a hypersaline dip to kill it. Best to ask someone who's done it.

best I heard was the guy who took a soldering torch to his rock and burnt the aiptasia off :twised:

I did that to a big one when I switched tanks. I guarantee he's not coming back :wink: Just be sure to wear safety goggles.