Baking Rock

[Manose]

I had my tank up for years but between the veritids and blue polyp out break I decided to start over, plus I wanted to put a new floor down.
I have a 30 foot deck and I took my rock and placed it on the railing letting that 90degree sun hit it all day everyday.
The question I have, can anything live through this?
I want it dead dead dead without bleach

 

[PharmrJohn]

Oh, that rock is dead. Now you've got to clean it up. IMO, bleach is in your future. Perhaps a pressure washing or two.

 

[Manose]

Oh, that rock is dead. Now you've got to clean it up. IMO, bleach is in your future. Perhaps a pressure washing or two.

Yeah I will pressure wash it as I have a good one just no bleach

 

[PharmrJohn]

How long has the rock been out of the tank? My concern is that dead rock (like my 12 year old rock I just let dry out and sit) is chalk full of phosphates. If I were to put my rock in water, my phosphates would be anywhere from 1.5 to 2.0. And it would leech out for months.

 

[nereefpat]

Why not bleach?

 

[Manose]

How long has the rock been out of the tank? My concern is that dead rock (like my 12 year old rock I just let dry out and sit) is chalk full of phosphates. If I were to put my rock in water, my phosphates would be anywhere from 1.5 to 2.0. And it would leech out for months.

2 weeks

 

[Manose]

Why not bleach?

I am just terrified of bleach

 

[Manose]

I got a 45 gal rubbermaid, I could use about 2 gallon of bleach to a filled up container or more bleach?

 

[Manose]

@nereefpat you can laugh all you want but I had a bad accident with it and was not funny

 

[Manose]

Back to the normal discussion.
I have a 45gal brute that I have filled half way with rock and I guess the best way it to just cover it with water then add the bleach put the top on and let it set for a few days?

 

[Cell]

Absent bleach or muriatic acid to breakdown any organics remaining on the rock and within, a long curing process will likely be necessary.

 

[Cell]

I soak rocks for 7-10 days in diluted bleach, give them a thorough rinse then set out to dry in the sun.

 

[Manose]

I soak rocks for 7-10 days in diluted bleach, give them a thorough rinse then set out to dry in the sun.

I was thinking 3-4 days in a brute half fillled with water and 2 gallons of bleach then let it set

 

[nereefpat]

@nereefpat you can laugh all you want but I had a bad accident with it and was not funny

I wouldn't laugh at an accident. "Terrified" hit me as a strong word.

It's not dangerous, as long as you don't swallow it, get it in your eyes, or mix it with a base. And it's really good for cleaning.

I was thinking 3-4 days in a brute half fillled with water and 2 gallons of bleach then let it set

That's a pretty good plan. About 10 parts of water to 1 part of bleach (household 6-7% bleach) is good for sterilizing stuff. To avoid splashing it on yourself, add the water first, then bleach, then stir it up and add the rock.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I was thinking 3-4 days in a brute half fillled with water and 2 gallons of bleach then let it set

add a powerhead, don't let the water just sit

 

[Manose]

add a powerhead, don't let the water just sit

This will be outside also but in a closed rubbermaid bin its gonna be hot so I hope the doesnt matter

 

[Cell]

Flow is not necessary. The bleach will do it's thing.

 

[Dburr1014]

Lanthanum chloride can pull out po4 if it's loaded.

 

[Manose]

Lanthanum chloride can pull out po4 if it's loaded.

I have it in the brute with appox 20 gallons of water and 2 gallons of bleach soaking.
It was covered in dead organics but had been out side for 2 weeks so I am not sure how long I should leave it or when to add the Lanthanum chloride

 

[Dburr1014]

I have it in the brute with appox 20 gallons of water and 2 gallons of bleach soaking.
It was covered in dead organics but had been out side for 2 weeks so I am not sure how long I should leave it or when to add the Lanthanum chloride

I would wait until bleach is done and rinsed.