Bleaching used dry rock
- Thread starter Michael v
- Start date
- Tagged users None
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
I did 20:1 RO/DI:bleach for two weeks. Then Dechlorinator in RO/DI for 2 weeks with flow. Then RO/DI alone with flow for about two months.
If you want details, see my build thread in my signature.
Welcome to R2R!
If you want details, see my build thread in my signature.
Welcome to R2R!
The last time I soaked my LR in bleach overnight and then a muriatic acid bath for an hour or two I rinsed it in the garden hose and started curing it immediately.
OP
OP
Michael v
Active Member
Thank you
redfishbluefish
Stay Positive, Stay Productive
Staff member
Super Moderator
Reef Squad
Partner Member 2024
Excellence Award
Article Contributor
NJRC Member
Hospitality Award
In a 100 gallon stock tank half filled with water, I put 2 gallons of bleach for one week. After that, multiple rinses and then dried it out.
U
User1
Guest
A few months back I did this with 150 lbs dry pukani. Basically I pressure washed, then split the rocks into 4 tubs, added standard tap water, then bleach, added power head, and let sit for 24 hours. Emptied that water, refilled, added bleach, power heads, and sit again for 24 hours. Did this one more time, then emptied the water, refilled, and then added lanthium chloride for 24 hours. Repeated that 2 more times, then took out and pressure washed and then into the tank to aquascape. Once that was done to my like, added sand, then RI/RO water, then added dechlorinator and sit with return pump and power heads for flow and circulation.
This seemed to be ok for me and I've not see any issue since doing this in February.
This seemed to be ok for me and I've not see any issue since doing this in February.
PatW
2500 Club Member
I treated my rock outside of the tank. Pretty near any food safe container can be used like some 5 gallon buckets or a Brute trashcan.
For bleach I just used tap water and added bleach until it smelled strongly of bleach. I did it over night. Rinsed the rock and scrubbed it. If it still looked grody, I repeated the process until it was well.... bleached looking that is kind of white. Bleaching is really for removing dried organics from the rock.
For acid wash, I put the rock in the container, add tap water and add Some muriatic acid until the whole thing seethes. Muriatic acid attacks limestone... Ca CO3 and turns it into CaCl and water. A light acid wash will remove the outer layer of rock and a bunch of acid and all you have left is a solution. I let it sit awhile and rinsed it off. Acid washing is supposed to remove phosphates from the rock.
After either of the above, you can dry the rock by letting it dry in the sun or just on a stack of newspapers. After that rinse several times in RODI and you are good to go.
Another thing you can do is curing dry rock after bleaching or acid wash. You stick the rock in a Brute trashcan add saltwater made with RODI and put in a powerhead. Let it run for a couple of weeks. At the end of the time check for phosphates. If they are elevated, pitch the saltwater and redo the process. I guess you could even cycle the rock whilst you were curing it.
For bleach I just used tap water and added bleach until it smelled strongly of bleach. I did it over night. Rinsed the rock and scrubbed it. If it still looked grody, I repeated the process until it was well.... bleached looking that is kind of white. Bleaching is really for removing dried organics from the rock.
For acid wash, I put the rock in the container, add tap water and add Some muriatic acid until the whole thing seethes. Muriatic acid attacks limestone... Ca CO3 and turns it into CaCl and water. A light acid wash will remove the outer layer of rock and a bunch of acid and all you have left is a solution. I let it sit awhile and rinsed it off. Acid washing is supposed to remove phosphates from the rock.
After either of the above, you can dry the rock by letting it dry in the sun or just on a stack of newspapers. After that rinse several times in RODI and you are good to go.
Another thing you can do is curing dry rock after bleaching or acid wash. You stick the rock in a Brute trashcan add saltwater made with RODI and put in a powerhead. Let it run for a couple of weeks. At the end of the time check for phosphates. If they are elevated, pitch the saltwater and redo the process. I guess you could even cycle the rock whilst you were curing it.
U
User1
Guest
You will probably get different opinions on this one so just keep that in mine. I'm no different and my opinion is no, it isn't necessary. Nor is it something I did has I noted above. The reason why is because acid will remove a layer of rock. How much will depend on the amount of acid you used. BRS video said anywhere from 12 to 25%. To me why remove that much rock when you paid for it. Heck, I have two children in college and that just didn't seem like a wise decision "to me" (using the acid not children
).I can see the benefit on why you would want to do that. I just decided I'm stuck with letting the tank and rock mature so why not just let it go. Pressure wash, bleach, rinse, repeat, seemed to work for me. Like I said - still stuck on the waiting game in the long run.
ChadmRoman
Active Member
Did 3 weeks bleach 10:1 adding 1/2 gallon of bleach every other day and changing the water once a week
Did a 30 min acid wash then
Set out in the sun for a week. This is recommended, all of the bleach evaporated
Did an RO bath before adding prime I tested for chlorine and had none
Did the RO bath anyway for a week and added rock to the tank.
Did a 30 min acid wash then
Set out in the sun for a week. This is recommended, all of the bleach evaporated
Did an RO bath before adding prime I tested for chlorine and had none
Did the RO bath anyway for a week and added rock to the tank.
ChadmRoman
Active Member
Did 3 weeks bleach 10:1 adding 1/2 gallon of bleach every other day and changing the water once a week
Did a 30 min acid wash then
Set out in the sun for a week. This is recommended, all of the bleach evaporated
Did an RO bath before adding prime I tested for chlorine and had none
Did the RO bath anyway for a week and added rock to the tank.
Did a 30 min acid wash then
Set out in the sun for a week. This is recommended, all of the bleach evaporated
Did an RO bath before adding prime I tested for chlorine and had none
Did the RO bath anyway for a week and added rock to the tank.
