Dead Live-Rock

[healerhand]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to the fish hobby. I have a question about live rock. A friend of mine had about 300 lbs of live rock which was stored in his back yard without water. Basically, the live rocks dried up for a long time. If the live rocks are dried up, that means it is dead. Dead live rocks or dead rocks still good for salt water tank??? would the dead rock be cycle with bacteria again?? if yes, how long??? Any comments? or opinion????
DC

 

[halide]

It should be fine to use.I would make sure and clean as much of the dead materail off before cycling it but I think if you added ten or so pounds of cured or even uncured live rock and let it cycle for a month or two you'll defenitly get the bacteria to repopulate the dead rock and some life from the live rock will in time repopulate it also but that could take a little longer.Or go half and half and use the dead rock for your base rock and put your live rock on top then cycle.It will cut your cost in live rock in half .

 

[healerhand]

thanks, i had the same feeling. in general, rocks are non-living and living bacteria and mirco animal will develop in time. Once again, thank you answering my question.
DC