Help with bleach!

[Sglinias1]

Im starting up a new tank and decided to start bleaching about 200 lbs of dry tock that ive collected. I put the rock into a big brute container with some powerheads and filled with water. I then poured in the first gallon of what i thought was regular bleach but immediately after pouring it in, i read that it says “now with cloromax technology” i panicked and started searching for possible side effects. I only saw one person say it can kill fish but it was a very vague post. I immediately took the rock out, rinsed the bucket, sprayed off the rock with hot water, individually rinsed each rock by submerging in into a 5 gallon bucket with hot water, then put them back into the big brute bucket to soak in more water. The rock was in contact with the cloromax bleach for about 20 min before i started the rinsing process. Is there any advice or experience anyone has with this cloromax stuff. Do you think i can do something to make sure this rock is reef safe or do you think i ruined 200 lbs of rock? Please help!

 

[ChadLo]

Im starting up a new tank and decided to start bleaching about 200 lbs of dry tock that ive collected. I put the rock into a big brute container with some powerheads and filled with water. I then poured in the first gallon of what i thought was regular bleach but immediately after pouring it in, i read that it says “now with cloromax technology” i panicked and started searching for possible side effects. I only saw one person say it can kill fish but it was a very vague post. I immediately took the rock out, rinsed the bucket, sprayed off the rock with hot water, individually rinsed each rock by submerging in into a 5 gallon bucket with hot water, then put them back into the big brute bucket to soak in more water. The rock was in contact with the cloromax bleach for about 20 min before i started the rinsing process. Is there any advice or experience anyone has with this cloromax stuff. Do you think i can do something to make sure this rock is reef safe or do you think i ruined 200 lbs of rock? Please help!

Please include a photo of the contents label as well? Will be more helpful.

 

[Tautog]

I wouldn’t worry, it’s just bleach, no special scented.
What kind of rock did you collect or purchase? If it’s Dry/Live Rock, Cure it 6-8 weeks, changing the water every 2 weeks. Be sure to heat and circulate the water, and keep the rock in total darkness. Every time the water is changed, inspect each rock and remove any loose stuff. It’s the stuff that’s dead inside the rock that’s coming out, and must be removed. All of the WC’s will remove any bleach.

 

[Reef Jeff]

I use bleach in my well water purification dosing system and wondered the same thing. Here is what I found out.

Clorox claims that Chloromax is “patent-protected polyelectrolyte complexes (also known as PECs)”.
Read more at https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/blog/concocting-a-better-bleach/#pkcxHriODUEAqWRk.99.

Here is an article on polyelectrolyte complexes:
http://infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/10/09949.htm

Personally, I think this is just marketing hype to divert the customer’s attention away from the fact that they reduced the amount of sodium hypochlorite from 8.25% back to 6% and raised the price.

I wouldn’t worry about it because you will be doing significant rinses after the treatment anyhow. If you are real concerned you can still buy basic bleach at many stores including your grocery store.

 

[Jeepguy242]

Just soak the rock in vinegar.

It’s safer

 

[CJS80]

I'm am not sure about that type, but the splashless bleach has something else in it that will kill your fish. Unfortunately I found out the hard way. I ran a large canister filter on my large tank I had set up, to keep the water clear. I would bleach out the filter every month, not paying attention to the label I used the splashless stuff. I looked at my tank a few hours later I looked at the tank to see most of the fish were dead, and the sump looked like a bubble bath. I used some carbon to clean up the water, and 3 fish made it. Anyway just be careful to use straight bleach, and if your not sure use some carbon to absorb any possible chemicals.

 

[Sglinias1]

Please include a photo of the contents label as well? Will be more helpful.

Id doesnt really specify on the ingredients

 

[Sglinias1]

Please include a photo of the contents label as well? Will be more helpful.

I was able to find this. Not sure if this is the actual ingredient in the clorox though

 

[Sglinias1]

I'm am not sure about that type, but the splashless bleach has something else in it that will kill your fish. Unfortunately I found out the hard way. I ran a large canister filter on my large tank I had set up, to keep the water clear. I would bleach out the filter every month, not paying attention to the label I used the splashless stuff. I looked at my tank a few hours later I looked at the tank to see most of the fish were dead, and the sump looked like a bubble bath. I used some carbon to clean up the water, and 3 fish made it. Anyway just be careful to use straight bleach, and if your not sure use some carbon to absorb any possible chemicals.

Did you use the canister again and were there any other lasting effects? What did you do to the water when this all happened? Sorry for all the questions but im just trying to figure out if the rocks will be safe to start a tank with or if they maybe absorbed some sort of chemical that can leach later.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This is likely the cloromax technology:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2016/0137871.html

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was able to find this. Not sure if this is the actual ingredient in the clorox though

It's not. That name has an "H" in it. cHloromax.

 

[CJS80]

Yes I kept it running, I just used a bunch of carbon to get stuff out of water. I didn't have anything set up, so I set up a small tank and after a month moved the fish over that survived plus the 2 pieces of coral I have. It sucks loosing a bunch of fish, but it was an excuse to tear down and redo. Personally if I were you I would finish the bleach bath, run a bath of prime, then do a run with carbon just to make sure, but up to you.

 

[Sglinias1]

Yes I kept it running, I just used a bunch of carbon to get stuff out of water. I didn't have anything set up, so I set up a small tank and after a month moved the fish over that survived plus the 2 pieces of coral I have. It sucks loosing a bunch of fish, but it was an excuse to tear down and redo. Personally if I were you I would finish the bleach bath, run a bath of prime, then do a run with carbon just to make sure, but up to you.

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the advice!

 

[MBX5]

Sorry to bump such an old post but did anyone ever come to any conclusion if the bleach with colormax is okay?

 

[Tautog]

Sorry to bump such an old post but did anyone ever come to any conclusion if the bleach with colormax is okay?

I wouldn’t use anything with any additives to make your water smell good. If your tank water smells, there’s other problems at work.
Use Vinegar, either 50/50 for the glass, or straight for the tough cleaning. It won’t hurt anything, and it a great cleaner for your powerheads, 50/50 solution. Be sure to use ONLY white vinegar. $2.99/ 1 1/2 gal jug at Costco. I clean, soak, and spray with no worries, but only Vinegar.

 

[Phoroho]

Any luck knowing if CLorox bleach with Cloromax is safe? I soaked our gravel, plants, and decor in it today before I realized it had Cloromax …do I need to throw it all away or can I use it? I rinsed it very well but it all still smells strongly of bleach.