Cleaning dead rock?

[cmantis]

What is the best way to go about cleaning dead rock? I had some sitting in water but without a powerhead or heater and it got pretty nasty (stinky and turning dark in color). I want to clean it and put it in my tanks to cycle.

 

[edd]

i was just reading about an acid bath. but kind of cold, you have to do it outside. they say it removes the phosphates from the rock.

 

[peteyboyny]

A nice soak in some RO water. Then if there isn't any livestock, put it in. The die off on the rock will start your cycle.

 

[skene]

You can always bleach the rock and give it that shiny new rock look and smell.

 

[MatthewScars]

do a water change and put the water in four 5g buckets. take the rock and dip it in each while shaking it in the water and hitting it against the sides.

REPEAT.

you can use RODI water also, just do it until the last buckets water doesnt get gross black/brown anymore.

 

[jackson6745]

Strong skimmer, lots of carbon + GFO, and vodka. I was able to have stinky, VERY STINKY, rock that I killed from the hurricane sandy completely cycled in 3 weeks. I am shocked how well it worked. I was expecting bound up phosphates leaching and giving me algae problems but so far not a drop of nuisance algae in my display.

How much vodka? At the time, half the bottle for me and a spit into the cycle tub. Probably 10mls or less. Yes I really did spit it in. I did this 3 times in 3 weeks in a 40 gallon tub with 60lbs of rock.

 

[TheHun]

Clorox bleach ---> fresh water bath ---> Muriatic acid bath --- > RO bath ---> ready to go for cycle

 

[cmantis]

So the tanks I am going to put this into are already cycled but I was short a little bit of rock. So I want to clean it and add it in.

What bleach ratio to use and if I do an acid bath where do I find that acid? Can I use tap water for the rinse or does it all have to be RO?

 

[peteyboyny]

I wouldn't use tap water to soak, just asking for more trouble later on if it leaches phosphates, etc. You can get muriatic acid from home depot. BE CAREFUL! Take the proper precautions, eye protection, gloves, etc. Do it in a WELL ventilated area. The fumes are enough to cause respiratory problems. I would use a mild mix of the acid with RO water. Then RO soak 3-4days with water changes every day. I just did this on some rock that I got that needed cleaning. Its now in my DT. Good luck.

 

[edd]

10-1 acid ratio leave it in till it stops bubbling. you really should read up on it. google reef rock acid bath, reef central had a good article. they say you can bleach it after.