LR left outside

[Sugar Magnolia]

I was wondering if I can use this LR. I have two small pieces that I stuck out on my back porch at least a year/year and a half ago. It's (obviously) dried up, but has been left at the mercy of the elements. Is it safe to use it in the tank? If so, how do I go about preparing it? Bucket of slatwater with a powerhead for a couple of months?

[jason the filter freak]

my tank used rock that sat outside for a year, i rinsed it with fresh water then put it in the tank and cycled it with some lr rubble

[blaze98]

Just be sure to rinse it first and it should be fine to use as long as you don't get your yard chemically treated.

[Coral Hind]

I used a bunch of LR that had been sitting outside on a blue tarp for months. I just hosed it off and put it in the tank. I never had any problems.

 

If you are not sure about whether any contaminants have gotten on it like sprays or pesticides then you could soak it in a tub of water. I would use a poly filter pad or carbon to remove any contaminants.

[reefmontalvo]

I did the same just use a brush scrub off any loose material and then rinse clean.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Thanks guys!

[davelin315]

Adrienne, if you want to be really sure, stick it in your toilet tank for a few weeks after cleaning it with either some weakly acidic freshwater. This should allow you to "scrub" it clean by rinsing it every time you flush with new water. Just be careful to clean it off at first so you don't get rubble clogging your toilet!

[treesprite]

Adrienne, if you want to be really sure, stick it in your toilet tank for a few weeks after cleaning it with either some weakly acidic freshwater. This should allow you to "scrub" it clean by rinsing it every time you flush with new water. Just be careful to clean it off at first so you don't get rubble clogging your toilet!

Nifty idea. I think sometimes people put bricks or rocks in the tt for displacement to save water.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Neat idea Dave. I was thinking about those rocks last night. They are out on my deck, near the siding of the house. We have a pest service that sprays the inside and outside of the house 4 times a year. I'm thinking those rocks may have possibly contanimated with bug spray. Probably best not to risk it. Darn it!