We need some good answers here!

FishyFishy! · #1 04-28-2012, 12:49 AM

Ok, there is a bunch of threads on cooking, boiling, bleaching, hydrogen peroxide dipping, acid baths and fresh water dips to get rid of pests on live rock.

I have a bunch of rock with Byropsis on it. And a new bunch riddled with Aptasia and Majano's. I don't really want to risk pests in my new tank if I can avoid it. I really would like some good opinions on what to do to make sure that there is no pests in my new build, but the best alternative for the rock as far as being "live".

I know that some options like the boiling, bleaching, and the acid bath will completely kill the rock, but I have recently read on the internet that a freshwater soak would kill all pests, and keep the beneficial denitrifying bacteria alive, in turn keeping the rock semi-live. Has anyone heard of this before? Seems like a great idea to me if it works...but will it?

I was going to start boiling it all this weekend, but thought I should get it out there to see what may be "tried and true" so to speak. I also have tried cooking, and it didn't get rid of by Byropsis.

HELP A BRUTHA OUT!

Nano · #2 04-28-2012, 12:55 AM

if your going to be curing the rock for a while, why not get some Bergy nudis, or peppermints for the aiptasia, I had a peppermint, and he keep any of it clean. Byropsis ime (which I have had little) was more physical removal, and keeping nuitrients down to a minimum for it to die off.. so I had to cut back feeding. it was only on one frag but it was loaded with it, I thought of dipping it, but was told just to pick off all I could then cut back light and food source til it dies off. worked for me :P

Slick Fork · #3 04-28-2012, 12:56 AM

If there's Bryopsis kill the rock entirely, put it in the freezer for a week and then cook it for a month or two. I've battled that stuff and it is impossible to destroy if you're trying to spare the rock itself.

Any benefit you might see from keeping the bacteria alive is going to be offset by a massive ammonia spike from all the die-off. Kill, cook, celebrate pest-free living!

burgerchow · #4 04-28-2012, 12:56 AM

My magic potion is a kalk paste. Try to keep it as thick as possible, just enough so you can suck it up into a syringe. Blast the aptasia and any other pests. Get to the root, and I've never had another one pop out. This also works for me for nuisance algae breakouts, including hair and cyano. ( note. you gotta cover the whole area though, and the rock will turn white for a short time, but will go back to normal)

FishyFishy! · #5 04-28-2012, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nano

if your going to be curing the rock for a while, why not get some Bergy nudis, or peppermints for the aiptasia, I had a peppermint, and he keep any of it clean. Byropsis ime (which I have had little) was more physical removal, and keeping nuitrients down to a minimum for it to die off.. so I had to cut back feeding. it was only on one frag but it was loaded with it, I thought of dipping it, but was told just to pick off all I could then cut back light and food source til it dies off. worked for me :P

Unfortunately there is just no way I want to risk any of my pests returning in my new setup. And that is just way too much of a gamble.

I have fought with this Byropsis for 2 years! it's just crazy. it's completely gone for a couple months, then it comes back in full force.

Nano · #6 04-28-2012, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

. it's completely gone for a couple months, then it comes back in full force.

lol now I'm scared mine is lingering in the shadows waiting to pounce!

Starry · #7 04-28-2012, 01:06 AM

New build... new rock?

toytech · #8 04-28-2012, 01:18 AM

Bleach kills all ,and it wont make your kitchen stink.Im moving an i wanted to keep all my live rock so i bleached it all . i soaked it in a bucket with 1/4 bleach for a day and it came out squeaky clean . After a soak and a drying and another soak its perfect .

coolhandgoose · #9 04-28-2012, 02:07 AM

I think the problem is what works for one person doesn't work for another. If you're looking for a panacea then absolutely killing your rock would be the only option to get rid of unwanted pests.

I think diligence and patience are the keys to whatever solution employed.

FishyFishy! · #10 04-28-2012, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toytech

Bleach kills all ,and it wont make your kitchen stink.Im moving an i wanted to keep all my live rock so i bleached it all . i soaked it in a bucket with 1/4 bleach for a day and it came out squeaky clean . After a soak and a drying and another soak its perfect .

Yeah that does sound like a good option. Boiling it stinks like crap.

Anyone heard of the Freshwater dip option?