Newbie Question...cleaning Rocks And Such
#1 Guest_airbrn1187_*
Posted 02 November 2007 - 10:41 PM
#2 Guest_fishlvr_*
Posted 02 November 2007 - 10:55 PM
I was wondering what the best method for cleaning plastic plants and rocks that have been covered by algae. Can a mild bleach soak be used or is it best just to scrub with warm water??? Any help would be appriciated.
Bleach can be used as long as it is allowed to "evaporate" and sit in the sun for at least 48 hours. Warm water will get rid of algae just as well and a good bit faster, though.
#3 Guest_teleost_*
Posted 02 November 2007 - 11:12 PM
#4 Guest_wolfie8000_*
Posted 03 November 2007 - 01:26 AM
#5 Guest_scottefontay_*
Posted 03 November 2007 - 01:04 PM
A dish washer will work pretty good, .
I have used a dishwasher to clean fish stuff before when I was a kid. My mom didn't appreciate the house smelling like hot swamp (i didn't use any detergent). It does work well but what Teleost said is good advice and washing EVERYTHING at once in the dishwasher would be bad for the microbial action in your tank. If you do this wash with warm, not hot water, as you could deform your plastic plants (and it would kill less bacteria). I would just use my hands in 5 gallon bucket of warm water, personally.
#6 Guest_airbrn1187_*
Posted 03 November 2007 - 04:17 PM
#7 Guest_BassNut144_*
Posted 05 November 2007 - 10:06 AM
#8 Guest_bullhead_*
Posted 05 November 2007 - 11:59 AM
I actually had the same question I just hadn't had time to ask it...but when I first collect my rocks from the local steram, I soak them in a gallon of bleach with 2 gallons of water, for a day, then oak them in water for a week, and then bake them in the oven for 2 hours at 200 degrees(if it is cold out, like it right now in Ohio)...but as far as cleaning them off when you clean the tank, I boil them in peroxide.
Is it even possible to boil peroxide? (Meaning, wouldn't the heat drive off the extra oxygen pretty quickly, leaving water?)
#9 Guest_creekcrawler_*
Posted 06 November 2007 - 11:39 AM
I actually had the same question I just hadn't had time to ask it...but when I first collect my rocks from the local steram, I soak them in a gallon of bleach with 2 gallons of water, for a day, then oak them in water for a week, and then bake them in the oven for 2 hours at 200 degrees(if it is cold out, like it right now in Ohio)...but as far as cleaning them off when you clean the tank, I boil them in peroxide.
Holy Cow! I usually brush the mud off and put 'em in the tank.
#10 Guest_edbihary_*
Posted 06 November 2007 - 11:41 AM
Bleach is just concentrated chlorine (sodium hypochlorite, actually). Use dechlor after using the bleach, and you'll be fine.Bleach can be used as long as it is allowed to "evaporate" and sit in the sun for at least 48 hours.
#11 Guest_scottefontay_*
Posted 06 November 2007 - 12:43 PM
#12 Guest_natureman187_*
Posted 06 November 2007 - 08:12 PM
Leave it all, it adds character! - spider webs, pill bugs, mud n allHoly Cow! I usually brush the mud off and put 'em in the tank.
#13 Guest_Irate Mormon_*
Posted 06 November 2007 - 10:57 PM
Same here.Holy Cow! I usually brush the mud off and put 'em in the tank.
#14 Guest_mikez_*
Posted 07 November 2007 - 05:01 PM
Holy Cow! I usually brush the mud off and put 'em in the tank.
Yep, me too.
And I brush the mud off gently so as not to disturb any micro-critters that might colonize and/or provide food in the tank.
In saltwater though I have had that come back to bite me [literally]. You'd be amazed at how well a tiny crab larvae can remain hidden and grow to epic proportions before being discovered.
#15 Guest_BassNut144_*
Posted 08 November 2007 - 02:05 PM
#16 Guest_Slasher_*
Posted 08 November 2007 - 05:57 PM
#17 Guest_factnfiction101_*
Posted 13 November 2007 - 11:43 PM
I don't bother with algae unless the algae looks dead, but I have a algae eater.Holy Cow! I usually brush the mud off and put 'em in the tank.
#18 Guest_Andi_*
Posted 21 November 2007 - 03:06 PM
#19 Guest_Irate Mormon_*
Posted 21 November 2007 - 11:03 PM
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