How long should I boil live rock for?

Mechaninano · #1 08-29-2011, 01:57 AM

So I purchased some live rock that had aiptasia on it. I put it in my brother's tank and the aiptasia exploded! Its every where (sorry Corey). So I have approximately 40 lbs of live rock covered with aiptasia that I have decided I'm going to boil to get rid of them. (I've got another 40 lbs of pest free live rock that I will use to seed the boiled rock for my tank start up). So my question is, how long should I leave my rocks in the boiling water? (I know about the hazards of boiling corals such as zoa's, the only thing on the rocks is aiptasia and a few zenias). Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank-you.

wingedfish · #2 08-29-2011, 02:15 AM

I would hazard a guess that after 10 seconds, anything on the surface would be dead

Mechaninano · #3 08-29-2011, 02:17 AM

But what about those sneaky ones deep in the crevices of the rock?

wingedfish · #4 08-29-2011, 02:22 AM

Well longer would be better, but why not just leave it outside for a while? A week say, give it a rinse then use your dead rock?

Mechaninano · #5 08-29-2011, 02:26 AM

Because I'm really impatient

(and I love the smell of boiling rock...it really reeks!)

MarkoD · #6 08-29-2011, 03:36 AM

dying xenia smells so bad! i wouldnt do it.

Mechaninano · #7 08-29-2011, 03:42 AM

Too late, its all done and now I've got to air out the house, but its not so bad, the smell is almost gone (had the windows all open before I started and the exhaust fan over the range is going full, plus another fan pushing the smell out the window). Now I've got half green zombie looking rock in my tank... BUT NO AIPTASIAS!!!!

kien · #8 08-29-2011, 07:09 AM

did you take pictures? I want to see

Mechaninano · #9 08-29-2011, 01:53 PM

I'll take some when I get home tonight

Myka · #10 08-29-2011, 02:50 PM

I would not have done that if I were you. Chances are you killed off a good portion of the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria on the live rock. This will cause the rock to leech a lot of ammonia and phosphate.

Now that it is done, I wouldn't put that rock into any tank for a long time. I would put it in a tub and "cook" it (does not involve the stove!) for several weeks so it can leech those nasties somewhere safe before introducing it back into a tank where it can then be seeded.