Bleaching dead pukani rock question

[rrr757]

All, I am planning on bleaching dead pukani rock, later acid washing it. It was stored outside another local reefers house.

I have a new tank.

Question
for bleaching the rock, I have read many posts, but trying to see what is the minimum/maximum time I should leave the rock in bleach/water probably 1:10 mix or greater mix. After soaking, I will dechlorinate. I know pukani is more prone to getting eaten on the acid wash so will not leave it soaking in there, but for sitting in bleach water how long is long enough.

Thanks

 

[CrayolaViolence]

If the rock is dead, then what are you trying to kill? I think you'd do better to just put the rock into a tub and cycle it for a few weeks in salt water. I mean, its been dried out, it's highly unlikely there is anything on it and if there is, it will most likely not survive fresh water let alone salt water.

 

[forextrader]

Pukani is extremely porous which is what makes it great! Unfortunately, the pores capture lots of dead material which rots away in saltwater. I used 50/50 vinegar water for four hours to help loosen the material. I then cured the rock with heavy flow in order to get this material out. I am very satisfied with the rock!

 

[CrayolaViolence]

Yes. I almost exclusive use pukani rock. I think I have about 1500 lbs of it in a curing vat right now. The OP said the rock was stored outside. This would have exposed it to the elements, including rain and sun (which is the best at denaturing organics or anything really.) There really shouldn't be much on this rock that would need to be treated with an acid wash let alone bleach. I really think as you stated Forextrader, that a simple vinegar soak should be enough, and maybe a week or two in a curing vat with salt water a heater, and a wave maker.

Honestly, I've only ever used saltwater and a wave maker to cure pukani or any kind of rock.

 

[homer1475]

Pukani is extremely porous which is what makes it great! Unfortunately, the pores capture lots of dead material which rots away in saltwater. I used 50/50 vinegar water for four hours to help loosen the material. I then cured the rock with heavy flow in order to get this material out. I am very satisfied with the rock!

I would probably do the same thing, with the addition of some lanthanum chloride. We all know how pukani is known to leach phosphates.