Putting dried rocks into tank and powdered phosphate remover

[Train]

I have some rocks which were previously live in the tank. They were removed due to lack of space some months ago, and are now fully dried. If I put them back into my tank, would it leach anything detrimental to my tank, eg phosphates and any other harmful stuff ?

Also, I am using powdered Phosphate remover ( Baxter product ) to remove phosphate. This is very affordable, instead of using RowaPhos etc, which is very expensive. Would using this powdered product suffice ?

Grateful for any advise please. Thank you.

[Gouldian]

If your rocks have been dried and not smelling foul, it should be alright to re-introduce into your tank. However, to be on the prudent side, always add gradually 1-2 pieces at a time, observe and add more if needed.

Powdered Phosphate removers used commonly in this hobby usually are aluminium base or iron base, the iron base - ferric oxide is thought to be better as aluminium base removers as the latter tends to leave significant amount of remnant phosphate in the system and also the fact that aluminium is consider toxic to livestocks.

However, Seachem the major proponent of aluminium base po4 absorber claimed otherwise.

Thus if you are sure that what you are using are the above, it should be safe but preference will be for ferric oxide.

I am unable to find more info on the Baxter product, care to pm me the details?

Source:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/june2004/review.htm

http://www.reefcentral.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1602301

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/chem.htm

http://www.aqua-medic.com/antiphos_fe.shtml

http://www.firststopaquatics.co.uk/acatalog/Phosphate_Removal_.html

[Nitro]

To add on to what Gouldian had said with regards to the rocks...

I advised u shd soak them in tub of seawater (can be NSW or Marine Salt prep) with some flow or aeration. Try to soak for at least a week and after which rinse them with newly prep seawater before putting into the main tank.

[Gouldian]

+1 to Nitro to be even more safe, before re-introducing the dried rock, you may want to soak them in a separate container of salt water.

This is especially important if you are unsure whether your rocks pick up some chemical (detergent, insecticide etc) during your drying process.

[limsc]

To add on to what Gouldian had said with regards to the rocks...

I advised u shd soak them in tub of seawater (can be NSW or Marine Salt prep) with some flow or aeration. Try to soak for at least a week and after which rinse them with newly prep seawater before putting into the main tank.

+1 to Nitro to be even more safe, before re-introducing the dried rock, you may want to soak them in a separate container of salt water.

This is especially important if you are unsure whether your rocks pick up some chemical (detergent, insecticide etc) during your drying process.

+2

I always soak my 2nd hand eqpt in water, fresh water in fact, to eliminate the risk of chemicals residing on them when kept in storeroom...

For the live rocks maybe salt water would be even better.. can soak in them after your water change routine. Save $$..

[Nitro]

+2

I always soak my 2nd hand eqpt in water, fresh water in fact, to eliminate the risk of chemicals residing on them when kept in storeroom...

For the live rocks maybe salt water would be even better.. can soak in them after your water change routine. Save $$..

limsc, I like the way u put it across... Save $$. Agreed, u can soak the rocks in using the "matured" water from the tank replacement and use newly prep salt water for the rinse. Good one

[Train]

Thank you everyone for your inputs. Regards