If you are shopping LR at LFS ask how long its been in the tank at the store. Hopefully they will keep the newly arrived stuff seperate from the older rock. Another thing you can do is give it the sniff test, raw or recycling rock usually smells BAD. Cured rock should smell oceany but not like a dead seal on a hot day
If you are only getting a few pieces at a time you should be OK if it meets the sniff test. If you are buying a bunch you can through it in a tank and let it recure if theres nothing else in there other wise put it in a large rubbermaid tub with a heater and a few powerheads and test for ammonia,etc then add it slowly
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