old salt tank rock

[duke1231]

I was wondering if it is safe to use rock that I have kept in a 5gallon bucket for 4 months. The problem is, when I opened the bucket the rocks were black and smelled like sulfur. I have tried to was them off, but the black remains. Any ideas?

[Phurst]

Was there no circulation or airation while it was stored? I certainly wouldn't use it if there wasn't. Sulfur smell is a bad sign.

[duke1231]

Thats what I thought, of course stupid me just threw it in a bucket and and sealed it with no airation. So I guess I am going to have to buy more rock. Well at least this is a smaller tank then my last, a BC14.

[CarmieJo]

You could bake it and see if the sulfur smell goes away.

[Rob]

or bleach it...
if its going into a new tank then it should not be much of an issue as it is. If its going into an existing tank, then i would bleach it, then de-chlorinate it, then bake it or dry it out before adding it in.. then you should be fine

[duke1231]

oh cool. This is a new tank setup. I am using my old sand, I just washed really well first so it wouldn't cloud up my tank. I really don't want to go out and buy more rock. I am just going to put this in and seed it with the rubble LR I bought today.

[Rob]

yes, just make sure you watch the parameters during the cycle startup phase and you should be fine

[duke1231]

Thanks. Since I have a BC14 I am going to replace the bio-balls with the those rocks, I will just smash them into rubble. Thanks for your help.