mold on old live rock

[mason90]

Im not sure if I have an issue or not, but I took some time cleaning a bunch of my live rock from a tank just broken down. after cleaning it I waited couple of months and am moving soon and wanted to set up a smaller tank in my apartment and when checking on the rock (in 30 gal bucket covered) there was white fuzzy mold on the rocks. I cleaned the rock with vinegar and water mixture and then let "dry" in the bucket. was it because I covered it? and is this rock still usable? there was still some substance on the rock when I stored but figured it would dry and die off. what can I do? any help would be appreciated.

thank you mason

 

[JohnK]

The rock is perfectly usable, but I have no idea if the mold would just die rapidly in saltwater or cause problems now or down the road.

I'd consider bleaching the rock to make nice sterile "dry rock", and then seed it with a little bit of fresh live rock.

 

[delta]

It is not going to live submerged. Cure the rock like you would naturally in a dark area with good water flow, like a food grade brute trashcan covered with a power head or two going. Just use some rubble or a piece of LR from an existing tank to seed it. In a few weeks testing should show all is good.

 

[joelg]

It is not going to live submerged. Cure the rock like you would naturally in a dark area with good water flow, like a food grade brute trashcan covered with a power head or two going. Just use some rubble or a piece of LR from an existing tank to seed it. In a few weeks testing should show all is good.

I am planning to cure some old rock also
when you say add some rubble from an existing tank should it be added right away or after the rock simmeres for a bit

 

[delta]

when you start, you want seed it right away