Bleaching rock ?

[j.falk]

I bleached my rock for 24 hours and, when I pulled them out to inspect, I still see some spots of green on the rock. Is it normal for the rock to have some discolored areas after the bleaching process? It's Marco rock and it was completely white/tan when I first got it so I assumed it would bleach back to the original color if I did the process right.

I was also wondering if I went ahead and reused the rock (with the green spots on it) would the algae regrow in those areas?

 

[on the spot]

I've bleached a lot of rock through the years. The only discoloration I've observed were rocks that were clearly other than white - shades of brown, some black and gray blotches, that sort of thing. Organic material coming out unscathed usually means not enough oxidizer.

what did you use? what ratio?

 

[j.falk]

I've bleached a lot of rock through the years. The only discoloration I've observed were rocks that were clearly other than white - shades of brown, some black and gray blotches, that sort of thing. Organic material coming out unscathed usually means not enough oxidizer.

what did you use? what ratio?

I used 3/4th a gallon of bleach to roughly 10 gallons of water. I put the rocks back in for a second soak with new water and bleach and it looks like the green is going away now.

 

[j.falk]

I've soaked the rocks for 24 hours in dechlorinated water but they are still smelling faintly of bleach...should I let them keep soaking or air dry out in the sun for a few days before using?

 

[on the spot]

I've soaked the rocks for 24 hours in dechlorinated water but they are still smelling faintly of bleach...should I let them keep soaking or air dry out in the sun for a few days before using?

You've gone this far - a little muriatic acid will give them that new rock glow.

but if not, a spell in the sun will make short work of the residual smell.