Cleaning Of Ocean Rock

[fry_lover]

I took out all my Ocean Rock of my Juwel 300 the other day thinking a good old scourer spunge and hot water be enough to clean of algae

was i right? Like **** i was!!! Made virtually no difference

I gonna swap over my Juwel Rio 300's in terms of inhabitants, and put my USA Cichlids and Bristlenose closer to the window, as thats the problem with my Malawi, it gets a bit too much sunlight hence the algae (as i only have my lights on for 2-3 hrs per day), its ont exactly right by the window (actually is about 6 goot away).

So how do i completely clean my ocean rock?

Thinking soak in bleach for a while? Obviously would prefer something else, but i know with good rinsing and a massive dose of de-chlorinator on the rocks will remove the bleach.

What about loads of vinegar or something?

It's not like the rock is full of algae its just that most of the peices are now somewhat discoloured.

idea's welcome, i always thought i could keep them clean just by having the lighting only on for a few hours, but i think where i have positioned the tank in the room has not helped at all! But thats going to change soon.....................

Cheers Peeps

 

[dthoffsett]

I'm assuming by ocean rock you mean a holey limestone(also marketed as Texas Holey Rock). When they are dug up they are actually a brownish color, the cleaning process includes a good scrub and soaking in a bleach solution, which makes them a bright white. You'll want to rinse them very very well if you bleach them, and to be on the safe side I'd soak them in a bucket with a double shot of dechlorinator before adding them to your tank.

 

[fry_lover]

I'm assuming by ocean rock you mean a holey limestone(also marketed as Texas Holey Rock). When they are dug up they are actually a brownish color, the cleaning process includes a good scrub and soaking in a bleach solution, which makes them a bright white. You'll want to rinse them very very well if you bleach them, and to be on the safe side I'd soak them in a bucket with a double shot of dechlorinator before adding them to your tank.

Yes mate i think bleach maybe the way to go, not sure on what strength to make the solution though?

i think a good rinse (many times) followed by a big shot of dechlorinator should do the trick

thanks for getting back to me

 

[dthoffsett]

I'd probably start with a 5:1 solution, 5 parts water to 1 part bleach.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I'd probably start with a 5:1 solution, 5 parts water to 1 part bleach.

Thats quite strong! I would do something more like 20 parts water to 1 part bleach. Make sure you give it a real good rinse after the soak has finished.

 

[Danno]

I would suggest an epoxy seal. Limestone breaks down eventually and can fluxuate the parimeters.

 

[-germ-]

If the rock is porous as well as using dechlor try adding some PH stabiliser to your soaking solution, bleach is a strong buffer....

 

[Scatta]

Strangely, I had the same problem. I took all the ocean rock from my brackish tank because it was covered with brown algae. I poured boiling water over it and the brown algae turned bright green. I tried a scouring pad, but it wouldn't come off so I soaked it in bleach. Made next to no difference. In the end I scrapped it and used cobbles instead.