Cleaning Rocks

ski7575 · 08/20/2012, 09:09 AM

I got two huge beautiful pieces of reef rock from a friend. Problem is the are disgusting, infested, hair algae, bubble algae.. etc.

I started soaking them in bleach water to kill whatever is on there, no way to want to start a new tank with that garbage.

How long should I soak them??

ski7575 · 08/20/2012, 10:05 AM

Nobody?!?!

Honks69 · 08/20/2012, 10:19 AM

I had to do that with some of my rock as well

I soaked mine for 2-3 days and then I used a toothbrush and scrubbed all the dead matter off the rocks and then soaked again for another 2-3 days

after this I let the rocks soak in rodi water treated with prime for about a week

the rocks looked like normal base rock when I was done

Reef_Knight · 08/20/2012, 10:28 AM

Bleach dip & scrub with a Brush.

downbeach · 08/20/2012, 10:30 AM

I would also etch then with a mix of 50/50 vinegar and tap water for a couple of days with a PH in the bucket/tub. Then I'd give them a good washing with a strong stream from the hose or if you have one a power washer. Let them cure for a couple of weeks in some freshly made SW and check for nutrients, i.e. PO4. If OK after a couple of weeks then put them into your DT.

justinf67 · 08/20/2012, 10:38 AM

I'm curious as well have old rock that I have bleached for 2 days. So just a good rinse will be fine? Do I have to check them for phosphates if the tank is fish only right now?

ski7575 · 08/20/2012, 10:56 AM

Thanks... I will clean them good, lots of ideas to try...

coreenm · 08/30/2012, 04:21 PM

My tank used to be covered in mushrooms. Whenever I wanted to add a new coral piece, I'd have to clean off a rock. All I ever did was scrub the surface off using a new, clean wool scrubber. Worked well enough for "visual" cleaning. If you are talking negative organism that you want to get rid of, then you need to take further steps to actually kill them off.

08/20/2012, 09:09 AM	#1
ski7575 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 89	Cleaning Rocks I got two huge beautiful pieces of reef rock from a friend. Problem is the are disgusting, infested, hair algae, bubble algae.. etc. I started soaking them in bleach water to kill whatever is on there, no way to want to start a new tank with that garbage. How long should I soak them??

08/20/2012, 10:19 AM	#3
Honks69 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Washington, PA Posts: 247	I had to do that with some of my rock as well I soaked mine for 2-3 days and then I used a toothbrush and scrubbed all the dead matter off the rocks and then soaked again for another 2-3 days after this I let the rocks soak in rodi water treated with prime for about a week the rocks looked like normal base rock when I was done __________________ 340 Gallon Reef with 125 Gallon Basement Sump, (6) Radion XR-30 Pros, (4) MP-60qds, 2016 Apex, Regal 300 Int Skimmer, Reeflo Hammerhead Gold, SPS Dominated In Wall Tank Current Tank Info: 340 Gallon Reef 24" x 24" x 138"

08/20/2012, 10:28 AM	#4
Reef_Knight Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: South Florida Posts: 70	Bleach dip & scrub with a Brush. __________________ 55gallon MH's Phoenix 14k Bulb+ATI T5's+12 RapidLed Marineland Canister-(Media Combination)-Coralife UV 2 Hydor Koralia 750

08/20/2012, 10:38 AM	#6
justinf67 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 249	I'm curious as well have old rock that I have bleached for 2 days. So just a good rinse will be fine? Do I have to check them for phosphates if the tank is fish only right now? __________________ 75g-Reef Select Sand, 80 lbs Live Rock, Koralia 1050 Evo, Koralia 1400 Evo, 40g fuge w/chaeto, MAG7, Bubble Magus 6 Skim, BRS GFO... Stock: 2 BW Ocellaris, Coral Beauty, 2 Engineer Gobies, YWG, Midas Blenny 40G-42lbs Rock, 20g Fuge, Coralife SS125 Skimmer Stock: Diamond Goby, Firefish.

08/20/2012, 10:05 AM	#2
ski7575 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 89	Nobody?!?!

08/20/2012, 10:30 AM	#5
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	I would also etch then with a mix of 50/50 vinegar and tap water for a couple of days with a PH in the bucket/tub. Then I'd give them a good washing with a strong stream from the hose or if you have one a power washer. Let them cure for a couple of weeks in some freshly made SW and check for nutrients, i.e. PO4. If OK after a couple of weeks then put them into your DT.

08/20/2012, 10:56 AM	#7
ski7575 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 89	Thanks... I will clean them good, lots of ideas to try...

08/30/2012, 04:21 PM	#8
coreenm Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 72	My tank used to be covered in mushrooms. Whenever I wanted to add a new coral piece, I'd have to clean off a rock. All I ever did was scrub the surface off using a new, clean wool scrubber. Worked well enough for "visual" cleaning. If you are talking negative organism that you want to get rid of, then you need to take further steps to actually kill them off.