How long do I bleach rock for???

[Mike O]

hey guys-

I’m setting up a 32g bio cube as a QT for my 125g. I’ve always used new Marco rock, so I’ve never needed to beach rock. I got some rock from the owner of the 32g bio cube and am soaking them in bleach/water to be safe and start fresh. How long do I leave them in the solution? They have currently been in for 2 days and have this cloudy white stuff on the rock. Is that normal?

 

[ludnix]

That's plenty of time, the white cloudy stuff is broken down organic matter off the rocks. I would go ahead and drain the bleach water and rinse with new tap water and use a scrub brush to brush off anything you can find. I would then soak it in tap water with a an extra helping of dechlorinator and let that sit for a day. I would then try another rinse and follow that up by leaving the rocks to dry in direct sunlight outdoors for a day or two until they no longer smell like chlorine.

 

[mfinn]

That's plenty of time, the white cloudy stuff is broken down organic matter off the rocks. I would go ahead and drain the bleach water and rinse with new tap water and use a scrub brush to brush off anything you can find. I would then soak it in tap water with a an extra helping of dechlorinator and let that sit for a day. I would then try another rinse and follow that up by leaving the rocks to dry in direct sunlight outdoors for a day or two until they no longer smell like chlorine.

That's pretty much my routine.
However I will do a second bleach soak if any organic matter remains after the first 2 day soak.
When I use a dechlorinator, I use alot of it. 9-10 times the recommended dosage.

 

[Mike O]

That's pretty much my routine.
However I will do a second bleach soak if any organic matter remains after the first 2 day soak.
When I use a dechlorinator, I use alot of it. 9-10 times the recommended dosage.

Sounds good. I made sure to put a ton of bleach in with the rocks. I’ll drain it, rinse/brush, then do another round of bleach/water. Then rinse again/brush again, then do a round of just water soak, then let them dry

 

[mfinn]

This was brought up recently that you don't want to use scented or splashless bleach.

 

[Mike O]

Wh

That's pretty much my routine.
However I will do a second bleach soak if any organic matter remains after the first 2 day soak.
When I use a dechlorinator, I use alot of it. 9-10 times the recommended dosage.

at dechlorinator do you use?

 

[mfinn]

Wh

at dechlorinator do you use?

API Tap Water Conditioner.
It's about the cheapest I've seen.

 

[Mike O]

Update: So far I have let them soak in bleach/water for 2 days, rinsed the rocks off and brushed them clean. Soaked them again for 2 days in bleach/water and rinsed and brushed them for a 2nd time. Now my rocks are sitting in tap water with tap water conditioner. After that I’m going to take them out, rinse once more, then let them dry out in the sun

 

[Cment]

Update: So far I have let them soak in bleach/water for 2 days, rinsed the rocks off and brushed them clean. Soaked them again for 2 days in bleach/water and rinsed and brushed them for a 2nd time. Now my rocks are sitting in tap water with tap water conditioner. After that I’m going to take them out, rinse once more, then let them dry out in the sun

This is perfect you should be good to go!

 

[PatW]

I just bleach over night and scrub. If the rock still has nasty brown stuff on it, I repeat until the rock is bleached white. I rinse and rinse and rinse in tap water and then in RODI. I keep rinsing until there is no bleach smell. Marco rock is reputed to be pretty clean so you should be good.

 

[Mike O]

I just bleach over night and scrub. If the rock still has nasty brown stuff on it, I repeat until the rock is bleached white. I rinse and rinse and rinse in tap water and then in RODI. I keep rinsing until there is no bleach smell. Marco rock is reputed to be pretty clean so you should be good.

The way I did it, the rocks came out bright white in the end. It might have been a little overkill, but I’m ok with that vs contaminating my tank.