help with live rock

[rsmfish]

We have an established tank and were given some "live" rock that a friend has been storing in his garage. It's been out of water for a couple of years, so can we "re-cure" it? Can we just add it to our tank for decoration?

 

[spanko]

It will need to be scrubbed and recured outside of your tank, in a rubbermaid container, with a powerhead and heater, and saltwater. Treat just like a new tank cycling, test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. When the ammonia and nitrites get to zero do a final cleaning in some water change water from your tank then it will be ready.
You do this because there is most likely a lot fo die off on the rock and it needs to establish a new bacteria colony to conted with the ammonia spike there will be berfore adding to the tank.