Cleaning New Live Rock?

I have ordered 75lbs of Tonga Eva for my new 75Gal tank. I understand that when it gets here that I need to remove any sponge/soft material from the rock before I place in in my tank to cure (brand new empty tank with plenum and 2 inch of sand).

The question I have is that after I pluck off the sponge I was going to rinse the rock prior to putting it in the tank, just to flush off any loose debris. Is it ok to rinse in fresh tap, or should I rinse in a bucket of saltwater?

My hope is 1. The rock is only out of water 2-4 days from Tonga prior to entering my tank. 2. I can maximize the recovery of the Life on the Live rock.

Thanks,

Ken

 

I would rinse it in salt water to prevent additional bacteria die off.

 

Ditto to what AMCARRIG said, rinse the live rock under saltwater not fresh so as to not kill more beneficial living organisms.

 

Thanks alot. That is what I needed to know. I just didn't want to make the effort if it didn't make a difference.

 

The bacteria are definitely important, the more leave the less time to "break in " the new tank.