Cleaning beach rocks?

[laurenrocksth]

I got some rocks from the beach a few weeks ago and would like to use them in my tanks. Any ideas on the best way to clean them?

 

[KevG]

maybe overkill but I think:
1/2 and 1/2 bleach and water 24 hour soak.
Then scrub and rinse.. forever..
Then boil, scrub again.
Cool and use.

 

[Ratlova30]

I just boil my rocks, unless there's lots of crevices then I scrub but most of the time I just boil and haven't had a problem

 

[VictorSmalls]

I have always had luck with the boil for 15 minutes method as well.

 

[FishVixen]

I've always boiled 15 min and if needed scrubbed debris off since 1966. Haven't had a problem with it yet.

 

[laurenrocksth]

Thanks guys! guess I'm headed to the kitchen

 

[stephcps]

When I first asked this question about 2 years ago...I was told not to boil rocks, that some would actually explode!! Scared the crap out of me!! I have always used bleach and have a lot of local rock in my tanks. Never had a problem!

 

[soobie]

Quick scrub under hot tap water, a rinse in dechlorinated water, and you're good to go.

 

[aj2494]

Some rocks can explode. If they have crevices, as the water heats up and turns to vapor, it expands, which can make the rock "blow up". I was camping one time and the firepit was full of shale. I didn't really think about before I lit the fire, but for a couple of hours, I kept getting hit in the legs or arms with very hot shale. Not a good feeling at all.

To answer your question, I rarely ever boil my rocks. Usually, they just get a quick scrub with my hands under the tap, and into the tank.