Rock cleaning

[Panicked Reefer]

Hate to ask a newbie question but I don't know the answer and can not find it online. I am looking to clean rock I purchased from a used tank that was broke down. I think the rock definitely needs to be soaked in bleach. My question is, is this metal tub an acceptable place to bleach them? I don't want to hand grenade my tank before I even have it cleaned so any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance -Bill

 

[dwest]

I would not use a metal bucket with bleach. How about a standard 5 gallon plastic bucket?

 

[anthonygf]

The rock will likely absorb metals from the tub. Use plastic bucket.

 

[chadfish]

Instead of bleaching it, why not just cure it? Put all the rock in a plastic tub with some salt water and a power head and let it go for a week or so, until it passes the smell test. You can even add some bacteria in a bottle of you want.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Pictures of rock? Is it from a running tank that was fine then just shut down, and then the rock dried out? What is the condition of the rock? And why do you feel like you need to attack it with bleach?

Maybe you don't need to go extreme you can use a pressure washer with saltwater in a bucket, but im not sure with the information you have provided..

 

[javisaman]

Also if you plan on using bleach make sure it's not the "splash less" kind

 

[Panicked Reefer]

I was recommended to use bleach because I believe it is frock from atleast 2 tanks, unknown how long it has been out of water, and was informed by my friend who's getting me into the hobbie there was signs of pests on it. Is there a better way?

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I was recommended to use bleach because I believe it is frock from atleast 2 tanks, unknown how long it has been out of water, and was informed by my friend who's getting me into the hobbie there was signs of pests on it. Is there a better way?

if its dry to the bone no pest would survive... if its just allot of dried on crud i would pressure wash it with r.o water let it sit out for sure in the sun to whiten it back up then cure it in a brute for 2-12 months.


what kind of rock is it?

 

[Panicked Reefer]

I am not sure. This is most of it.

 

[NashobaTek]

Looks like base rock.

 

[Panicked Reefer]

Is that good bad or indifferent? I purchased a 75 gal tank, sump, stand, lights, rock, chemicals, ect ect. and I really have no idea what I am doing.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I am not sure. This is most of it.

i cant recommend the bleach, (only because ive never used it like this) but id still do the pressure washer and the long cure with water changes and testing.

very nice looking rock you have allot there!

 

[NashobaTek]

Is that good bad or indifferent? I purchased a 75 gal tank, sump, stand, lights, rock, chemicals, ect ect. and I really have no idea what I am doing.

Indifferent, lol it looks just like the base rock I bought off of Amazon, your's is just older and greener looking. Mine is still white and I hate it. It's the biggest reason I'm going to add a bunch of live rock from gulf rock.

 

[chadfish]

I started with dry base rock too. I just hosed it down with a garden hose. I also didn’t bother with starting with RODI water either because it takes forever to make 75 gal. Most here would argue against it, but I had no issues starting with tap (hose) water for the initial cycle. I managed to get my parameters in check after the cycle with phosphate removing pads etc.

And since you are starting fresh, don’t bother curing it, just cure it in your tank. Do your aquascape, add live sand and a few pieces of live rock, cycle it for a month or so, do a water change with RODI and add fish. And since there are no fish in the tank, you can even mix the initial salt right in the tank. Easy peasy.