base rock

[micahdeane]

I have some old rock that i had in another tank years ago, it has been outside for the last 3 or so years. My question is what should i do to clean so i can use it as base rock. Its all white from being in the sun and nothing is growing on it like moss or anything. thanks for your time

 

[Zestay]

fresh water soak.
a quick bleaching.
rinse
rinse
rinse
rinse with amquel
rinse
salt water soak
freshwater soak
cure in salt water

 

[micahdeane]

what kind of mixture of bleach and water do i need? and what is amquel? also i may need to add that im in no hurry in getting it clean b/c it will be a couple months before i am in need of it. thanks

 

[jpkboca]

Why would you bleach it? Pure white rock isn't very appealing, I know over time it'll get coralline, etc. Wouldn't just soaking and cleaning it be good enough? [i'm new just asking]

 

[ihavtats29]

bleach will kill anything in the rock that mite survive the rinsing and soaking, id use a 50/50 mix in a spray bottle spray it down let it sit for a few minutes and rince the hell out of it like Zestay said. not to say there is anything on the rock that is harmfull but think of the pollutants that get rained out of the sky when it rains that is soaking into the rock

 

[jpkboca]

If it's outside sure, but say you had the rock in your house, but not under water and circulated, isn't bleaching it excessive? And soaking, aerating, etc will get it ready to use again?

On a side note when soaking, the water turns brown, assume die off, are you supposed to continue to soak until the water isn't turning brown anymore?

 

[ihavtats29]

if it was inside i wouldnt bother bleaching it but i would give it a good boiling

 

[micahdeane]

yeah the rock has been outside on a peice of wood getting rained on and all for 3yrs or more. thanks for the info