Please HELPPPPPPP

[Adamas]

Hi all,

Something very bad happened today.. I had some dead rocks on the floor of my garage, they were there because I wanted to seed them with the new live rock as soon as I start running my new tank..

3 days ago made alot of rain and my garage flooded with rain water (don't know how yet) Today when I went to have a look inside the garage I smelled a pungent odour of fuel (diesel)

I dont know how exactly but I think when the garage flooded , some how the diesel mixed with the water (the diesel was in a big geri can before the accident) ..

Is there any hope that I will be using these rocks again one day in my tank ?

What can I do guys,please I really need your help...
If I rinse them with water or let them soak in buckets of water do you think I will solve the problem ?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

IMO if there is diesel fuel on them they will make nice lawn ornaments.

I would not use the rock.
_________________
chocolate chunk marijuana

 

[Adamas]

But the diesel was mixed with water.... Can I let the rocks to soak in vinegar ?

 

[Dewman]

Diesel doesn't "mix" with water.
In all probability, the diesel was floating on top of the water and was absorbed into the rock.
There is no way for you to remove enough of the fuel to ever be able to safely use that rock in a home system.

It may be tough for you to let go, but I would Chuck it and start over.

Just my .02

 

[Adamas]

Guys if I quarantine the rocks in a big container full of sea water and put a pump or 2 and let them there for some time, do you think then it will be safe to use them in the main tank ?

 

[Anonymous]

The diesel coated the rock as the water level go above and below the rock. If you are sure that that water (and the diesel float on top of it) never touched the rock, then all you have to worry about is the flume. If the water did make contact with the rock, it has no place in an aquarium, but make good soil admaning material.

If you are *sure* that the water never touched the rock, depends on the amount of the rock, it maybe just not your time and risk to make use of it. If you do want to risk it, take the rock out under the sun, cover with a black plastic, and let it heat for a few days to drive off the VOC from diesel. Put in fresh water and circulate the bath thru carbon filter for a few days.

It is up to you to decide rather the risk is worth the cost of the base rock. Good luck.

 

[Adamas]

seven ephors shall i pierce the black plastic so that the VOCs don't remain trapped inside the bag. I thought of using a black garbage bag...do you think it will do??

 

[Adamas]

Today when I woke up I went directly to the garage.When I opened the door the smell of diesel was still there, obviously..

There was a geri can the was still closed but some how it was leaking diesel. The rocks dont have diesel smell,some of them have some..

I found a big plastic tank, put the rocks there and filled it with freshwater. On the surface I could see the diesel.. Damn.. I think I lost them for ever.

I just wanted these rocks to seed them with other live rocks, for sure I cannot put all the rocks in the tank as 'live rocks' because it will cost me a fortune, because Like you know my tank is quite big.

What do you think guys ?

 

[Anonymous]

Throw em away

better to be safe than sorry I always say

Plus what happens if you put them in your tank, buy some expensive live rock and put that in there and they were contaminated and everything on the new live rock dies.....

 

[Adamas]

Yes you are right knucklehead but I just cannot beleive there is nothing to do to solve this problem.. That 's why I am asking questions and maybe we can learn from each other from this subject too.

Guys what do you think if I put them in the sea near a beach and get them after a month so they can cure from any toxic that had penetrated inside... !!

What do you think ?

 

[Anonymous]

If you put them on the beach near the sea you will get back worse rock than you had....

Especially if you live in NEW JERSEY in the UNITED STATES!

:lol:


You could always clean them really well, and try them out in a tank you don't care about with fish you don't care about.

I don't recommend it though...

 

[Anonymous]

One possible way to remove it from the rock is heat the rock above diesel boiling point for about 4 to 6 hours. It will require a slow heating process and well ventilated non flame enviroment. The boiling point is about 500 F. IMO there is some danger and I would just trash the rock and move on.

Good luck

 

[Adamas]

OK thanks guys for your kind help..

I think I will throw them away...or leave them there and see after some time what will happens...guess nothing though..