cleaning old matrix?

[Devaji]

I have a litter of old seachem matrix that was in a rock vat for about 1/2 a year+
long story short I want to clean it to reuse on the new tank. its been dry for another 6 months a did a RODI soak but still smells "fishy"

my option are?
a beach and water soak then let air dry for a day or 3
or
vinegar and water soak?

leaning towards the vinegar soak. what do you guys think?

anything I am missing?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Even though Seachem claims Matrix is not pumice, I'm pretty sure it's simply small pumice rock. That said, either acid or bleach could be used, but I'd prefer bleach to oxidize any organics remaining in and on the rock.

 

[brandon429]

me too

acid opens up the micro channels and reduces surface area it seems.

 

[Devaji]

Even though Seachem claims Matrix is not pumice, I'm pretty sure it's simply small pumice rock. That said, either acid or bleach could be used, but I'd prefer bleach to oxidize any organics remaining in and on the rock.

I am thinking the same, that it's just pumice. that siad did get the 1 gallon bucket to add more bio media to the new tank that's cycling as I have a NSA type scape and did not want a pile of rock in the sump.

just added 1/2 the bucket after a good rinse in RODI .

ok i'll do a bleach soak on the old stuff and one have a formula for the H2o to bleach? other than a splash to a gallon..lol that's how I normally do it.

 

[Devaji]

me too

acid opens up the micro channels and reduces surface area it seems.

yeah I did not want to mess with acid on such small rock anyway. good to know bleach is the way to go.

 

[michaelb]

It’s funny. I go to June Lake, Ca a lot. At the beach at June lake it’s all pumice rocks. If your ever there grab some. Don’t take too much. They do need a beach.