Best Way To Sterilize Live Rock?

[Fishfriend1]

So, I had a 20 gallon tank until a recent non-water based disaster. When I shut it down, I kept about... 5lbs of LR. The tank had 42lbs of LR. So i have 37lbs of LR that has been sitting out and either drying off or otherwise not being submerged in water. I dunno if it's still damp enough to be "live" rock, but I do know that it's probably filled with dead critters. I want to know the best way to get them out of my LR without destroying the LR. I don't have any money to spend on new LR, so I do want to recycle the old stuff.

So, how do I sterilize my LR and render it dead rock?

[greech]

Why do you want them out of there. The decay is what will kick start your cycle once you set everything back up. You likely will not need anymore of an ammonia source. Word of advice would be to go get a sterlite tub that is big enough to hold the rock and recure the rock in that versus the tank you want to use for your display. While its in there shake/blow out the rocks with a strong pump every so often. Once you cycle the rock, just move it to your tank with sand, etc. Of course you could pressure wash the crap out of it firts as well.

If you had severe algae issues you can cook the rock (no, not in an oven)...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...highlight=cook

Other option is a long vinegar and RO/DI baths. If you use tap water you'll just end up in the same place you started..

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...highlight=cook


^Note there are links within that link that will give you more info.

[Fishfriend1]

So.... from what I understand, cooking rock means that you basically soak it in fresh saltwater? Preferably RO-DI? Sadly, i have a limited amount of RO-DI water left, so I wouldn't be able to do that.

However, using the rock to cycle my tank sounds good to me. I'll just need to get a new salt-test kit, mine broke when I stepped on it :/