Bleach vs Acid
- Thread starter bheron
- Start date
HighlandReefer
Team RC
Good question. 
Some hobbyists might say that if you dropped an atomic bomb on your rock, that some of the algae, bacterial & fungal spores (I use this term loosely) could survive. You may have these pests and not know it at this time.
Given the above information, I would use both to make sure. You only have one shot at getting it right, or you will have pests to deal with later on.
Some hobbyists might say that if you dropped an atomic bomb on your rock, that some of the algae, bacterial & fungal spores (I use this term loosely) could survive. You may have these pests and not know it at this time.
Given the above information, I would use both to make sure. You only have one shot at getting it right, or you will have pests to deal with later on.
I'd use bleach then acid. 
psteeleb
Team RC
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14758289#post14758289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
I'd use bleach then acid.
that's how I clean everything - mild bleach, rinse, acid, rinse, rinse
works best to kill the algea's with a mild bleach and get all the slime off, sometimes I'll even use a brush after the bleach to remove the dead stuff then rinse, before using a mild acid mix, just works more effectively.
therealfatman
In Memoriam
Actually with the amounts used and still recommended by some and used by others any one of the three will have killed everything quite well. They are however all different, some are cheaper initially but linger on like ie, chlorine especially when used to excecess. I can not see the logic behind anyone recommending or using chlorine concentrations higher than those levels used in waste water treatment facilities. And others such as the acidvcan be hard on clothing and skin but are readily neutralized and readily obtainable.
There are no free lunches as such there are no special ways even in the "world of chemistry" to make job like cleaning old slimy rock any more plesant or ecological. Given my choices and many years of cleaning up after chemists, I would say chlorine my worse choice for use in or around my aquarium. Well there is windex also. Still own a motor vehicle though. Not to many energy efficient vehicles in Arctic areas of the world.
There are no free lunches as such there are no special ways even in the "world of chemistry" to make job like cleaning old slimy rock any more plesant or ecological. Given my choices and many years of cleaning up after chemists, I would say chlorine my worse choice for use in or around my aquarium. Well there is windex also. Still own a motor vehicle though. Not to many energy efficient vehicles in Arctic areas of the world.
A stronger bleach solution, such as 10% bleach 90% tap water, will not only kill the organisms, but it will help remove the dead tissue from the rock surface. having a lot of dead stuff on a rock will necessitate it being removed somehow.
here is what the tank looked like before acid soak
Last edited by a moderator:
...
Last edited by a moderator:
thanx bertoni.
will you correct me if im wrong,just finished and put LR in clean ro to let it soak for a day.then ill dump refill and soak again for a couple days.i tested ph right now and it was 8.23..(only soaked for 1 hour)
So do i add a little vinagar or baking soda to drop the ph down to 7.0-7.5?
Im picking up some nice cured LR tomorrow to seed it when its ready and a couple cups of sand out of the tank to help it along.
thank you for all your help
So do i add a little vinagar or baking soda to drop the ph down to 7.0-7.5?
Im picking up some nice cured LR tomorrow to seed it when its ready and a couple cups of sand out of the tank to help it along.
thank you for all your help
Last edited:
this is coming out of acid or bleach?
If from acid, it would not add anything. It is fine.
If from bleach, you need to do a lot of rinsing or dechlorinating.
If from acid, it would not add anything. It is fine.
If from bleach, you need to do a lot of rinsing or dechlorinating.
Last edited:
its from acid/base soaks.4 mins in the acid,rinse,4 mins in the base,rinse,rinse.i only did this 1 time.i did have the rock soaking in mild acid(1.5 cups to 20g of water) for 2 days.i didnt smell bleach at all before starting acid/base.
should i do the acid/base one more time?the rock looks really good.i am going to rinse really good 1 more time today.can i start cycking the rock today or should i let it soak in ro for couple days?
thank you randy for putting up with me.
should i do the acid/base one more time?the rock looks really good.i am going to rinse really good 1 more time today.can i start cycking the rock today or should i let it soak in ro for couple days?
thank you randy for putting up with me.
the way i tested is after all rock was rinsed and put in ro to soak,i tested that water,not acid/base water.the base ph before i started soaking was 12.54.i didnt check acid ph
randy,
just checked the waters ph 8.09.water is clear(no film).i dont smell anything.WYO
just checked the waters ph 8.09.water is clear(no film).i dont smell anything.WYO
It sounds adequately washed to me. If the pH is anywhere from 6 to 9 it is likely fine.
im glad its done,thank you for all your help.
