Bleach vs Acid

Ok I have some LR that I have been cycling out right now my water was a bit Black yesterday. I have it in a 5G bucket I don't know how many LBS is in it but it half way full. I was thinking doing an acid bath first then bleach it will that process work just as well?

Thanks
 
I would def do bleach first then acid. kill the organic material first (bleach), then burn off any phosphate (acid). acid will also help remove any leftover beach.
 
Bleach will break down within 24 hrs. I would leave it in the bleach bath for 24 hrs and then scrub and remove organic matter. If there is still organic matter left, then repeat the process until the rock is clean. ;)
 
It will depend on the amount of rock you have in the tub and the amount of acid you add. If the rock is bubbling, then the acid is still dissolving the rock. I would let it soak overnight.

After you complete the acid process and rinse the rock well, I would check the rock, by placing it in rodi water for a few days and then test the water the rock is soaking in for phosphate. If the phosphate is high, then repeat the acid treatment. ;)
 
Thanks again.. I more question... Can I just Bleach and not use Acid or do I have to do both process- I already have Ma Acid just wanted to know if zi had to go with this process as well?

Thanks again...
Frankie
 
The bleach is good to kill organisms. The acid can remove the outer layer of the rock, which is useful if the outer layer is contaminated with phosphate.
 
I agree, do the acid longer than just a dip. first time around i did a quick 30 second dip. my rebuilt tank had algage within a few weeks. second time around i dipped for about 30 mins, around the time the acid stopped bubbling.

HighlandReefer - after placing the rock in RODI how long do you think it would take phosphate to leech out of the rock?
 
If the water is circulated with a water pump so the water at the rock surfaces is changed I would assume if the rock has significant phosphate attached you will see a rise in the water phosphate concentration, within 3 days. This does not mean if the rock has high phosphate levels attached, that all the phosphate will come out of the rock within 3 days. You would need to change the water quite a few times with high phosphate levels to get it out of the rock completely. The phosphate level on the rock and in the water will come to an equilibrium. ;)
 
perfect. yet another valuable piece of info to add to this thread and the steps in this proces. thanks!
 
bheron said:
I agree, do the acid longer than just a dip. first time around i did a quick 30 second dip. my rebuilt tank had algage within a few weeks. second time around i dipped for about 30 mins, around the time the acid stopped bubbling.

HighlandReefer - after placing the rock in RODI how long do you think it would take phosphate to leech out of the rock?
Click to expand...


What sort of concentration did you use the second time around?

My acid came today so im going to give it ago this weekend.

A longer dip/soak sounds like it would do more as the water/acid would have more time to penetrate the rock.

Thanks
Chris
 
Thanks

I'm not doing the bleach just going to do the acid for 30 mins then.

Did it dissolve much of your rock? Was it a noticeable amount when you look at them before/after?

Will post up the results. Currently got them soaking in salty RODI water (they will of been soaking for about 15 hours).

Will get a salinity reading as well as a phosphate reading. Will do the same after I have soaked them in the acid at the exact time I tested before the acid.
 
you know,good question. Im not sure if I posted that on here but....yes. I definitely noticed a change in the overall mass/weight of the rock. it wasnt anything surprising since i left it cooking in acid for 30 mins. but it was noticable. figured maybe there was a 10% decrease is mass or whatever you call it. the outside was more brittle. but, that told me it was working, so i was glad.

just good to post to people know what to expect.
 
Ok, I have the 1st batch soaking in RODI and the 2nd one is in the acid now. When I removed the 1st batch (18hr soak) they are far from white, in fact they look more brown and dirty than they did going in. (These were dry base rock) Is this normal? How do I know for sure the acid did its job completely and no more is needed? Test for Phosphate? If so how long till it appears in the RODI water?

Thanks!
 
Naso - Highland is right. its so tempting to just use tap water at then end, what the heck right? but i agree, why do all the work and not use cleanr water. i made sure i didnt cut that corner.

Also, great question about the color of the rock. i really should point out of all the dips i've done it really does depend on the type of rock. some of my rock (i'm thinking its the fiji) is just dark in nature. it will never look that white when clean. then i have a bunch of other rock (tonga and solomon island I think) that looks and feels like chalk when done.

So it really does depend on the rock IMO.
 
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