Cleaning rocks.

[Cons]

Hi, been reading here for a while and been trying to see if any one has the best idea for cleaning rocks to go in a tank, this is my first tank so I thought i'd best ask the question. How do I know if a rock will go ok in my tank and wont leech any chemicals into the water? And how do I clean them? Would I just boil and scrub them or would I use some form of cleaning agent?

Thanks, If this has been answered before could you please just point me in the direction of the post. Once again Thanks.

[SnakeIce]

if a acid test makes the rock fizz it will make your water harder and your ph go up

a good scrubb and if you think that is not enough a soak in a 5% bleach solution followed by a dunk in water that has lots of declorinator will make most inert things safe for the tank

you will want to stay away from anything that might leach mettals into the water like copper or iron... so if the rock has the colors that those metals oxidize to don't use it

hope that helps

[ewok]

try pouring some vinegar on it, if it fizzes it's no good.

if you are worried, put them in a bucket of water and let them soak, check the ph/kh when you start and check the ph/kh at the end of a week or more...

as far as cleaning them........ a dishwasher with no chemicals? that was the best idea i've seen. or a clean brush and some water. if they are from somewhere you can also wash them in a mild bleach solution (not recommended for really porous rocks unless they have already been soaked.) and after you bleach them, soak them in dechlorinator. or you can also boil them to get rid of nasties...... or bake them carefully.......

[rodney10954]

I just boil them for a while then rinse them off
i also do the vinegar test

[Slappy*McFish]

I normally just scrub them down with a toothbrush and baking soda, then rinse them off with hot tap water.