Can I Use A Garden Hose To Clean Gravel?

[gale]

I bought a brand spankin new bucket to clean the gravel in. I was told on another forum to rinse it well with vinegar and water first. Once I've done that and put the gravel in (it is like sand, actually) can I use the garden hose (it's a new-ish pocket hose) to run water over the gravel to clean it? 

 

[Essjay]

I've never used vinegar to clean either gravel or sand, just plain water. All I do is put a few inches in the bucket than run cold water in from the outside tap, swish the gravel/sand round, then pour off the water plus debris. Then repeat until the water runs clear, that can take 7 or 8 washings depending on just how much fine stuff needs washing out. I put the washed gravel/sand in another container, and wash some more. Once it's all been done I put it in the tank.
I don't use a hose, just put the bucket under the tap. But I can't think of anything wrong with using a hose provided it is not contaminated with some garden or car cleaning chemical.

 

[gale]

Thank you. I'm not planning to use vinegar to clean the gravel. Just to clean the bucket. It's brand new but it was sitting at a store probably gathering dust. Now that I read my post again it does look like I was planning to clean the gravel with vinegar. The hose has only been on the ground and in a hose holder thing. I've never used anything other than a plain hose nozzle on the end of it (no hose-end sprayers or anything like that).  I can let a bunch of water run through it first (if I end up using it). I thought I could do better with it since I could make the water come out with more force, thus loosening more of the debris on the gravel. 
 
I probably would have put all 15 lbs of gravel (for two 5-gallon tanks) in the bucket at once. That would have been a big mistake. I'll do just a little at a time.  

 

[Essjay]

I just use a bit of salt water to clean buckets etc if they look dirty. If a trace ends up in the tank it won't do much harm. If they look clean, I just give them a good rinse in cold water.
 
It is easier cleaning a bit at a time, less to swish around. Some types of substrate have more fine dust than others. You'll find out whether you have a very dusty one when one you start washing. If you do, you'll need to set an hour or two aside.