Bleach smell after cleaning rocks

Ankaa · 04/22/2018, 10:23 PM

Hi,

I'm currently in the process of re-setting up my tank after almost a year. When I had it last, all my rocks had acquired a good amount of green (sitting) algae. To clean it (and potentially kill anything hazardous), I soaked everything in 10% bleach for about 15 min (following instructions I found on the internet). I then rinsed it thoroughly, let it sit in a bucket full of tap water overnight, rinsed again and let it sit in some saltwater for another few hours. Rinsed again and then let it sun-dry. However, some of the rocks still have a light bleach smell. Am I good to put them in the tank (currently cycling) or is it hazardous for any fish that will move in if I can still smell it?

Thanks for any advice.

mcgyvr · 04/23/2018, 04:23 AM

I'd rinse them a few more times then dry them out completely in the sun..

homer1475 · 04/23/2018, 05:01 AM

I've bleached rocks before. Soak them in RO/DI and prime for a few weeks. I have never used rock that smelled like bleach. I would rinse it longer before using.

Dmorty217 · 04/23/2018, 05:56 AM

If the rocks smell like bleach you need to rinse them more like mentioned above.

Sk8r · 04/23/2018, 12:11 PM

Prime will neutralize the bleach. It's also good for household use.

tthouston · 04/23/2018, 01:19 PM

Leave them on the SUN couple weeks....all smell gone.

on the spot · 04/23/2018, 02:42 PM

If you had the time and inclination the RO/sun dried path is what I would choose.

However, getting them in the tank now seems to be in your advantage. For that Sk8r gave the best solution.

HTH

Ankaa · 04/24/2018, 01:13 AM

Thank you all for your feedback!

I have them soaking some more with Prime at the moment and then will let them dry in the sun for a little while longer, as in: a few days.

I will then put them in the tank with more prime.

04/22/2018, 10:23 PM	#1
Ankaa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 10	Bleach smell after cleaning rocks Hi, I'm currently in the process of re-setting up my tank after almost a year. When I had it last, all my rocks had acquired a good amount of green (sitting) algae. To clean it (and potentially kill anything hazardous), I soaked everything in 10% bleach for about 15 min (following instructions I found on the internet). I then rinsed it thoroughly, let it sit in a bucket full of tap water overnight, rinsed again and let it sit in some saltwater for another few hours. Rinsed again and then let it sun-dry. However, some of the rocks still have a light bleach smell. Am I good to put them in the tank (currently cycling) or is it hazardous for any fish that will move in if I can still smell it? Thanks for any advice.

04/23/2018, 04:23 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I'd rinse them a few more times then dry them out completely in the sun.. __________________ Who me?

04/23/2018, 05:01 AM	#3
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I've bleached rocks before. Soak them in RO/DI and prime for a few weeks. I have never used rock that smelled like bleach. I would rinse it longer before using. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

04/23/2018, 05:56 AM	#4
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	If the rocks smell like bleach you need to rinse them more like mentioned above. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/23/2018, 12:11 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Prime will neutralize the bleach. It's also good for household use. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/23/2018, 01:19 PM	#6
tthouston Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 128	Leave them on the SUN couple weeks....all smell gone.

04/23/2018, 02:42 PM	#7
on the spot Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,010	If you had the time and inclination the RO/sun dried path is what I would choose. However, getting them in the tank now seems to be in your advantage. For that Sk8r gave the best solution. HTH

04/24/2018, 01:13 AM	#8
Ankaa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 10	Thank you all for your feedback! I have them soaking some more with Prime at the moment and then will let them dry in the sun for a little while longer, as in: a few days. I will then put them in the tank with more prime.