Safest way to clean large amount of rocks?

[Renay]

This is probably a stupid question, but I figured it was worth while to ask it anyway. I'm setting up my tank, and the rocks are apparently clean, but I don't want to take any chances. In the past I've used a strainer and some hot water to clean rocks from my 10 gallons... but this tank is more than double the size, and there are LOTS more rocks! I was thinking about using my mop bucket and putting in a tiny amount of bleach, or something to that effect? Also, can live plants grow in these rocks or am I better off getting some type of sand?

[sbracken]

When I did the gravel for my 29 gallon I just rinsed the new gravel in hot water in a strainer in batches. Each batch was put into the tank when it was rinsed then I repeated with the rest. Took longer than doing enough for a 10 gallon, but it wasn't a huge time sink. I cleaned each individual rock for my 75 gal dry creek bed feature individually. Like Nike says.....Just Do It!

[gm72]

Plants need some sort of substrate in which to grow. The rocks as I imagine them as you describe them may be too large.

To wash them, if they are indeed large, wash individually. If not as large, you can get a bucket and place a hose at the bottom of it. Fill the bucket with the rocks and turn on the hose. The water will flow up and out of the bucket, thereby giving them at least a primary rinse.

[Renay]

thats what i was thinking of doing, except putting all of the rocks in my mop bucket and then putting them in the shower to let the hot water rinse them instead of the cold hose water... is the bleach solution a bad idea?

[Nick_Pavlovski]

There are people here who advocate bleach and those who don't.
I reckon using table salt is a fine substitute with hot water, if the tank is going to be a FW tank. Of course, rinse everything off later to get rid of that salt...

[Renay]

Thanks, How much salt do you recommend be used for about 20 lbs of gravel?

[Nick_Pavlovski]

I rinsed mine in 10 litre buckets...so I'm not sure how much your 20 lbs would fit into a 10 litre bucket...

As a guide, I would half-fill the 10 litre bucket with gravel, then add a tablespoon or so of salt. Then hot water (sometimes boiling).

Others may have better advice...

[donvichu]

I second that I use boiling water..It'll be so hot IO'll just let it sit for 20 mins and rinse it with normal water

[Renay]

Okay I'm off to try that then! Thanks!

[gm72]

Just to close the loop on my suggestion, I use a length of hose attached to my hot water outlet.

At any rate, good suggestions in this thread. Good advice.

[Incredulous_Ed]

I just throw the rock it my outdorr sink and turn on the hot water and give them a good scrub. No problems so far.