Question about rocks..

[fish fins]

I Just picked up about 25lb of rock for my 60gal tank. Found it on Craiglist & the previous owner said it was not live rock, which was important to me because I don't have lights yet to support live rock or coral. After getting it I am thinking she was wrong. It's got a lot of growth on it & some snail shells in it. Is there a way to make sure there is nothing unwanted on this before adding it to my tank?? Any help is appriciated...really want to get this in my tank!

 

[tizzo]

The only thing that makes rock "live" is the fact that it is covered with beneficial bacteria. No special lights are needed for live rock, heck I have 20 lbs in my sump!
But, if it was submerged in fresh water, or dried out, then it is indeed not live. Do you know how it was kept before you brought it home?

 

[morval]

is this a new tank or just adding rock? u dont really need lights to support live rock unless there are corals on it. if u have macroalgae growing it should be fine for a few days without light. now u say u got this on craigslist so i assume it was shiped to u and has been out of the water for a few days. so u will need to cure it, this can be done in ur tank if there is nuthing else in it yet or u can do it in a seperate container check this thread for info https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthre...ghlight=curing
also u can use hyposalinity to get critters to abandon ur rock and pick out any u want/dont want

 

[fish fins]

I actually picked it up from her in person, it was taken out of the tank and left in saltwater outdoors for 3 days prior to pick up.