Dried Coral

So I was walking around a LFS today and noticed a 4.5lb piece of dried white coral. The owner stated it came from a guys tank that had crashed. He had a large tank with thousands invested in corals but during his divorce the tank crashed due to neglect and all of his corals died. He then took them to the lfs and gave them to them where they dried them out. I bought this large piece and 2 small half lb pieces for 12 bucks!

With all this in mind, if it safe to put into a new setup to use as part of the live rock setup? Im thinking itll be a neat piece for corraline algae to cover and become part of the live rock filter!

 

If the tank is still cycling I do not see an issue.

If there is any tissue left or the appearance of dried tissue or the piece smells bad I would only add it to a tank that is starting it's initial cycle.

If the pieces is completely dry and white skeleton I do not see an issue to adding it to a newly set up tank that is nearly done with the cycle, as long as the piece is clean.

 

Would this be the same as buying the decorative coral they sell in the LFS? I have a bunch of it from when I had a sw set up 15 years ago. I assume its dried coral and can be used along with LR?