I am going to get some creek rocks for my 90 Gal but want to know what to do to prepare/clean them????
Do i need to just put them in hot water etc......
Thanks,
Brett
Do i need to just put them in hot water etc......
Thanks,
Brett
How to Prepare Rocks??
- Thread starter Chooka
- Start date
If you find some you liiek that have crust or algae you don't want in your tank.. Wire brush then boil 
I usually just boil mine.. And my tank are filled with these
I usually just boil mine.. And my tank are filled with these good question.
I also scrub them real good with 1 part bleech and 2 parts warm water. Scrub them real good with a scouring pad. Next, I always put them inside my oven and bake them for 20 mins at 450 degrees. Flip them over after the initial 20 mins and bake the other side for the same length of time. Of course this only works with rocks small enough to fit inside a standard kitchen oven. The heat from the oven will take care of any micro-organisms and harmful bacteria.
Just be very careful when baking the rocks. Two things, First make sure you watch the rocks. You do not want to leave them in the oven for too long because they have the potential to crack or explode. The heat from the oven will heat up any water trapped inside the rock and could cause them to crack. Secondly, the rocks will be very hot. Use gloves when turning them and also when taking them out. After both sides are baked I let them cool down at room temperature and then rinse with luke warm water. Obviously wait until they are cooled before you put them into the tank, especially if you already have fish in the tank.
I also scrub them real good with 1 part bleech and 2 parts warm water. Scrub them real good with a scouring pad. Next, I always put them inside my oven and bake them for 20 mins at 450 degrees. Flip them over after the initial 20 mins and bake the other side for the same length of time. Of course this only works with rocks small enough to fit inside a standard kitchen oven. The heat from the oven will take care of any micro-organisms and harmful bacteria.
Just be very careful when baking the rocks. Two things, First make sure you watch the rocks. You do not want to leave them in the oven for too long because they have the potential to crack or explode. The heat from the oven will heat up any water trapped inside the rock and could cause them to crack. Secondly, the rocks will be very hot. Use gloves when turning them and also when taking them out. After both sides are baked I let them cool down at room temperature and then rinse with luke warm water. Obviously wait until they are cooled before you put them into the tank, especially if you already have fish in the tank.
It depends on the size of the rocks.
For large rocks:
Scrub away all the particles you can and rinse generously. The mechanical action of the scrubbing and running water plus the disinfection you get from the chlorine in the water is sufficient, boiling the rocks doesnt provide any added benefit.
For small rocks:
The scrubbing and rinsing becomes time consuming and tedious. Boiling and rinsing will provide mechanical and chemical cleaning. Stir the rocks while the water boils and rinse well.
FYI - I have several "large" pieces of granite in my tank out of Folsom Lake, the largest is nearly 200 lbs and wouldnt have fit in my oven even if i had tried; let alone in a pot to boil it, none of them have ever caused any problems
For large rocks:
Scrub away all the particles you can and rinse generously. The mechanical action of the scrubbing and running water plus the disinfection you get from the chlorine in the water is sufficient, boiling the rocks doesnt provide any added benefit.
For small rocks:
The scrubbing and rinsing becomes time consuming and tedious. Boiling and rinsing will provide mechanical and chemical cleaning. Stir the rocks while the water boils and rinse well.
FYI - I have several "large" pieces of granite in my tank out of Folsom Lake, the largest is nearly 200 lbs and wouldnt have fit in my oven even if i had tried; let alone in a pot to boil it, none of them have ever caused any problems
My advice is similar to what you already have. I always scrub my rocks using a scrub brush with hot soapy water. Then I boil and rinse them with bleach water then with clear water several times (7-10 depending on how dirty). Then let them cool prior to adding them to my tanks.
Well i went and got some rocks the other day, did the cleaning as suggested and here is the result.... Not sure if i like it yet or not, the Girlfriend thinks it looks too cluttered.... Also added the teracotta for another hide...
Ps. excuse the poor pic
Brett
Ps. excuse the poor pic
Brett