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Prepping Rock work

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by jrow8162, Apr 19, 2009.

  1. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    Having trouble finding the threads for this. I know we've discussed this in the past. I found a ton of rock work that I want to put in my cichlid tank but dont know the best way to clean it up. A lot of people have said bleach the rocks and scrub them, let the dry completely out.. Soak them in prime for a few hours to a day, and then put them in. I have also seed some people on here say to boil or bake the rocks...

    Which is the best method?
     
    jrow8162, Apr 19, 2009
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  2. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Dishwasher may work too, it works for driftwood. No detergent though of course.
     
    Anonymous, Apr 19, 2009
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  3. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    MOD_Dawn, Apr 19, 2009
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  4. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    Has anyone ever used bleach? Seems to be a pretty popular way to do it...;
     
    jrow8162, Apr 20, 2009
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  5. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    I've used it on my ceramic decorations & the stoneware like ones with no problems. I've done my canister & hob with bleach also with no issues.
    I've never really had "rock work" though. Sorry :(
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 20, 2009
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  6. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    I would just boil them.... you can bleach and then prime if you want.... boiling saves a few steps....

    After you boil you need to rinse in tank temp/cold water for a while or you will be adding heating stones to your tank :)
     
    LemonDiscus, Apr 20, 2009
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  7. James0816

    James0816 New Member

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    That's how I did mine. Just boiled them for a few hours. Let cool in open air. Then add to tank.

    I might add also to use a scrub brush to remove any dirt and such prior to boiling.
     
    James0816, Apr 20, 2009
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  8. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Anthony, Apr 20, 2009
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  9. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    I have already bleached it. Now i'm gonna boil it. How long am I supposed to boil it for? I want to boil it, soak it in prime, and then test it before I put it in. My Clown Loaches are Ick free now and my Africans are really growing. I'm scared to death to add that rock but I know I need to...
     
    jrow8162, Apr 20, 2009
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  10. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    It will be fine.... you only need to boil for a few minutes....
     
    LemonDiscus, Apr 20, 2009
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  11. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    Then cool it off and then add it? Should I cool it off in a bucket of cool water and Prime?
     
    jrow8162, Apr 20, 2009
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  12. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    That would be fine...

    Be sure to vinegar test the rocks to be sure they wont alter your PH
     
    LemonDiscus, Apr 20, 2009
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  13. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    My PH is already a little low so I dont think it will hurt. Vinegar test is when you put a drop on there and see if it fizzes right?
     
    jrow8162, Apr 20, 2009
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  14. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    yep, you can also use ph down to test them I've heard.
    Just as Ryan mentioned...be sure the rock isn't too cold or too hot when added because it will drop or raise your water temp.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Apr 20, 2009
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  15. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    Shouldnt be a big problem there. My tank is at 86 degrees right now. I'm pretty sure the ich is all gone but i'm leaving it up for another week just to be safe....
     
    jrow8162, Apr 20, 2009
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  16. stevenrox

    stevenrox New Member

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    not sure if its late but i used bleach to clean my crush coral from salt to fresh its pretty easy depending on shape/size of the rock get some bleach mix it with water and scrub it a couple times then rinse it let it dry in the sun i personally do this a couple times to be safe
     
    stevenrox, Apr 20, 2009
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  17. jrow8162

    jrow8162 Thread Starter Member

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    I soaked mine in bleach for about 24 hours. Its outside now and will dry out today. I'm gonna rinse it and scrub it tonight, boil it all, cool it off in a bucket of water with prime in it and then cross my fingers...
     
    jrow8162, Apr 21, 2009
    #17