I got a couple really cool dry white coral skeletons. Question is, what do I have to do before putting it my tank to avoid water perameter changes. I don't know exactly where the pieces came from, so I soaked it in water with a strong amount of conditioner over night. It's only about 3-5 pounds of rock, and I already have around 100 pounds fully cycled in my tank in a stable system, so can I just stick it in with no adverse effect or do I really need to fully cycle the rock first?
dead rock
- Thread starter Faciosity
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I'd boil them, set them outside in the sun (or the oven) for a while, and maybe even treat them with bleach before you put them in, just to make sure there aren't any contaminants in them. One issue with skeletons is its hard for critters to get in and clean them off, so sometimes they can become algae/detritous traps over time.
Also, it would be good to know why they died - say they were exposed to copper, then you would be putting a giant piece of copper into your tank since the skeleton probably absorbed it all. Of course, this thought applies to everything, PVC, Live Rock, Dead Rock, Frag Plugs, everything, but you get what I mean. Don't want to be trying to do a good thing, and have it just end in torment.
But, when you put them in, it will likely cause a mini-cycle, but nothing to really worry about, mini-cycles happen all the time (i.e. you add a new fish, coral, change lights, etc).
I'm pretty sure they were wild found dead corals that have just been for decorative use, not actually dead corals from somebodys tank. (found them in a free bin at a yard sale, they have a few old dead huge barnacles on them which makes me believe they were from the wild) They were already bone dry when I got them, so I placed them in about 5 gallons of super hot water with enough prime water conditioner to treat 50 gallons. Nothing coulda lived inside it dry for so long and then submersed in hot water, so I'm thinking the conditioner will get rid of any other possible contaminants. Was really just wondering if that much rock would throw off the balance of my system if it's not properly cured and cycled before entering the main display.
another concern though, is that they have a pink tint on parts, and if you break a piece the pink is really concentrated inside. Do some corals retain some color in the skeleton, or did somebody try to dye them? The barnacles and oyster shells that are atatched have no color, so I didn't think it could be dye.
jag3534
Well-known member
Sorry I can't help, but those are awesome!!!
Well, I left a small piece in a bleach water solution over night, and still don't see any change in color, which tells me that it's natural and not a dye. I think I will put them into a new batch of conditioned saltwater for an hour or so and then stick them in the tank.
burning2nd
Well-known member
nope when they are like that white... a healthy tank will take care of the cleaning and growth should start in less then a week...
you should noticed pods liveing on it first,
you should noticed pods liveing on it first,
Kinda confused on what you are saying. You think I should go ahead and put it in there?
burning2nd
Well-known member
ur tanks established and healthy yes... its good..
the bleached piece disguard
the bleached piece disguard
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