boiling rocks

[claire32526]

I've googled and googled and it seems devided....Is it save to boil rocks?....or will they explode? Is there a safer way to deal with it?
Thanks

 

[swk]

If I get them from a landscape supply place, I just hit them with a hose and throw them in. If you see any moss or lichen, you can scrub them with a brush. That's about it...no problems. Sometimes we like to make things more difficult than they need to be

 

[lipadj46]

some rocks can explode when boiled, its not really necessary though.

 

[leather]

Bleach/water soak if you are worried about it.

 

[Wulfonce]

I've googled and googled and it seems devided....Is it save to boil rocks?....or will they explode? Is there a safer way to deal with it?
Thanks

I've been boiling rocks for years and have never seen one explode. You don't need to boil for anymore then a few minutes. 2-3 minutes is not enough time to heat up the rock internally to the point of boiling any internal moisture (assuming there is any). I've heard of rocks exploding when people use them as campfire barriers and that sort of thing, but that's the rock being heated up for hours not minutes and in much hotter conditions. I'd say boiling your rocks for 2-3 minutes is completely safe. Go for it!

I frown on the bleach method. Not saying its not a good method but if even small traces of bleach end up in your tank your fish are screwed. I've never used bleach in any aquarium application before but I've heard of cases where fish have turned red and start bleeding if bleach gets in the water (happened to my dad once). To me it's not worth the risk especially if your using coarse rocks like the volcanic stuff. There's no guarantee that you'll be able to rinse all the bleach off. My advice is don't do it.

There's some good info about the effects of bleach in an aquarium here.
http://www.ehow.com/list_6531968_effects-chlorine-bleach-aquatic-life.html

 

[pi-eyed]

I've been boiling rocks for years and have never seen one explode. You don't need to boil for anymore then a few minutes. 2-3 minutes is not enough time to heat up the rock internally to the point of boiling any internal moisture (assuming there is any). I've heard of rocks exploding when people use them as campfire barriers and that sort of thing, but that's the rock being heated up for hours not minutes and in much hotter conditions. I'd say boiling your rocks for 2-3 minutes is completely safe. Go for it!

I frown on the bleach method. Not saying its not a good method but if even small traces of bleach end up in your tank your fish are screwed. I've never used bleach in any aquarium application before but I've heard of cases where fish have turned red and start bleeding if bleach gets in the water (happened to my dad once). To me it's not worth the risk especially if your using coarse rocks like the volcanic stuff. There's no guarantee that you'll be able to rinse all the bleach off. My advice is don't do it.

There's some good info about the effects of bleach in an aquarium here.
http://www.ehow.com/list_6531968_effects-chlorine-bleach-aquatic-life.html

X2 Good advice. I've boiled rocks that i thought were questionable. Most of the time I use the hose and scrub brush method.... Whatever you do don't use soap!!!!!!!!!

---Chris

 

[KaiserSousay]

Aquarian Myths and Legends.
Household bleach can be used to sterilize most anything without a bit of harm.
A 25% bleach/water mix is used constantly without a single mishap.
It will dissipate to the air in a few days, or a dose of prime will neutralize any residual chlorine.
Exploding rocks is kicked around endlessly.
Hooey.
Your stove can`t get the trapped water hot enough, fast enough to cause the expansion needed for an explosive reaction.
I could see a rock fracturing, but not exploding..
Won`t get to the 125g on the third floor, crashing it`s way to the basement because of it`s weight.

 

[J.Lake]

I boil rocks before hand. Even ones that are sitting in my buckets from previous aquariums. I also use bleach to disinfect but i also rinse it to the point of ocd