Using Rocks?

[xxfoxmtbxx]

Hi I have a 90 gallon cichlid tank and I want to get some stones to put in my tank. I heard of a bleaching process where you can sterilize rocks or pretty much anything so that you can put it in your tan. Does anyone know about this is it even neccesary? I greatly appreciate any responses thank you.

[IceH2O]

You're better off boiling the rocks in a pot.Let them boil for about 5 minutes and then let them cool. The temp will kill anything possibly on them.

[Slappy*McFish]

Bleach is fine, just rinse the rocks well and then soak them in a bucket of dechlorinator treated water...it wouldn't hurt to triple-dose the bucket, either.
You can also boil rocks or soak them in a bucket of water w/a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. I prefer the peroxide, myself. When done just rinse off the rocks. You can scrub dirt off of rocks with a toothbrush.

[xxfoxmtbxx]

Hey thanks alot guys, do you use these methods for your tanks are their any dangers?

[Slappy*McFish]

I've used all the methods and they're safe.

[xxfoxmtbxx]

Thank you so much, you just saved me a bunch of money. My LFS was charging 2 dollars a pound for stones that I have in my backyard... A total waste of money that I do not have, plus I try to shop their aslittle as possible...

[carpediem]

Personally, I prefer to boil them because some rocks are very porous and boiling them will kill everything, inside and out.

[mooman]

You're better off boiling the rocks in a pot.Let them boil for about 5 minutes and then let them cool. The temp will kill anything possibly on them.

I dissagree. Boiling will kill most bacteria, fungus spores, and all macroscopic hitchhikers, but IS NOT as effective as you might think. MANY different types of bacteria and fungal spores can and will survive boiling (you can only get boiling water up to 212 *F). On the other hand, if you bake the rocks you can achieve temps up to 400*, and the "dry heat" that is created is much more effective. Bleaching is also very effective at killing microbes but it depends (just like any aseptic technique) on the concentration and duration of the dip.

WARNING: Do not bake sandstone as it can explode. It will also dissolve in your tank making a silty, sandy mess, so best leave it where it lies. ;)

With all that being said, unless you are taking a rock from an aquatic ecosystem there probably isn't anything on it that you really have to worry about. Pathogenic bacteria and fungi cannot survive long outside of a host, and most of the stuff on the rock is going to find its way into your tank anyway. Out tanks are NOT the sterile, perfectly clean artificial environments that we believe them to be. They're living ecosystems with thier own populations of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms. But, better safe than sorry, right.

[vic21]

i just give them a ride in the dishwasher and then a good soak in declor water, changed several times over a week.
Cheers;

[clayspst]

i just give them a ride in the dishwasher and then a good soak in declor water, changed several times over a week.
Cheers;

yep that is what i do :clap:

[Lobo.]

i just scrub them really good in chlorinated water, rinse them off, then soak them in chlorinated water overnight, then soak in dechlor or just dry it off really well before droping it in the tank. ive not had a problem yet, and i love collecting new rocks to switch my decor around, my tank is like a big rock garden, each one ive collected from a dif. place and they each had dif. memories attached to them.

has anyone ever had any ill effects from not washing their rocks enough? :huh:

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Sometimes I get lazy... I leave previous aquarium rocks laying around the side of my house, and when I go to reuse them I just throw the rocks into my tank after a quick rinse.

Nothing bad has ever come of it, but when collecting from areas other than my rockpile I usually will boil the rocks, I've tried baking once and bleaching a couple times. Its all up to personal preference, they've all worked fine for me.

:)
-Diana

[Skip]

Makes them nice and new looking too after getting covered with algea. Don't get too crazy though, powerwashing too aggresively can turn your rocks into dirt if your not careful.

Chow.

[cyberbeer65]

I've used all the methods and they're safe.

As long as you follow proper protocall.

[NDferro]

Well keep im mind unless your collecting rocks from like fertalized area or grass killer things that can harm you fish its just a rock so dont freakout to much

[Slappy*McFish]

As long as you follow proper protocall.

of course.