Bleached rock. Now baking soda?

[jdavid]

I filled up a 32 gallon brute with rock, filled with water, stuck in a maxi-jet and dumped in a gallon of bleach. I'm not sure how much volume the rock is taking up so I don't know how strong the solution was, but probably good enough to kill everything in 3 days.

I don't exactly understand the process of getting the rock ready to use again, but I am assuming that because bleach has a pH of 12 that and the possibility of some residue left behind is the biggest issue. Some say to cure in saltwater changing the water until the pH is good. I don't see the point.

I've stumbled across the mention of using baking soda (pH 8.2 dissolved on RO water) to speed up the process. I've searched but not much info.

I read that it neutralizes the bleach. Does anybody know the actual chemical reaction that takes place between sodium hypochlorite and sodium bicarbonate? If so, would doing a prime bath inbetween bleach and baking soda baths negate the reaction needed?

Does anyone know if baking soda is safe to use on the rock before aquarium use at all?

Or, does anyone have any experience bleaching and then using rock and would like to share what process they used?

 

[jbdreefs]

I used baking soda after an acid bath. I thought those that bleached just rinsed and the let air dry in the sun for a while.

Edit: I used baking soda after an acid bath. I thought those that bleached just rinsed and the let air dry in the sun for a while.

 

[jdavid]

That worries me for two reasons-

1. pH. Easily enough tested
2. The rock is very porous. I don't know how long it would take for the inside to actually dry out completely. A prime bath would probably work. But I do believe that sodium hypochlorite (bleach) is unstable and does rapidly deteriorate on its own, so drying completely would probably work also.

It's the pH that I'm concerned with mostly, not the chlorine

 

[jdavid]

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This is just what was on top, about 30 lbs. good bit more branch in there. I'm going to post what I won't be using for sale so I want to make sure it's %100 safe.

 

[ralph atl]

cover it as much as possible in H202, as much submerged as you can, but at least, fully coated & wet for an hour or 2 (20 minutes min) , rinse liberally with ro/di and you are good to go.

 

[ripped tide]

Research the nature of ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, chlorine and sodium chloride.

Remember when you told me that if I knew what was actually in horse poo, I wouldn't mind holding it in my hand?

Same goes for bleach in a salt water aquarium. It's really not as scary as people think.

 

[jdavid]

Ripped Tide;918664 wrote: Research the nature of ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, chlorine and sodium chloride.

Remember when you told me that if I knew what was actually in horse poo, I wouldn't mind holding it in my hand?

Same goes for bleach in a salt water aquarium. It's really not as scary as people think.

Well, fresh horse poop and dry horse poop are two totally different things. Fresh horse poop is loaded with ammonia. You have to dry it in the sun as well lol

 

[ripped tide]

Everyone, keep the above quote in mind when Josh tries to shake your hand.

 

[jdavid]

lol. Okay I tried to get Dylan to pick up poop with his bare hands.

For the record I don't recommend it

 

[rdnelson]

JDavid;918732 wrote: lol. Okay I tried to get Dylan to pick up poop with his bare hands.

For the record I don't recommend it

That's right. He might break a finger trying.



ARC....so nerdy our President breaks bones while bowling.

 

[dball711]

Ripped Tide;918697 wrote: Everyone, keep the above quote in mind when Josh tries to shake your hand.

Oh Man...I shook his hand at the election. So should I soak my hands in bleach or baking soda???

 

[jdavid]

I'm thinking bleach and then baking soda if you're worried about pH Dave

 

[ripped tide]

rdnelson99;918744 wrote: That's right. He might break a finger trying.



ARC....so nerdy our President breaks bones while bowling.

When I read that earlier, I LOL'd. I guess I need to say something else that could be considered embarrassing. My finger is healed! You need a new sig.

 

[rdnelson]

Ripped Tide;918836 wrote: When I read that earlier, I LOL'd. I guess I need to say something else that could be considered embarrassing. My finger is healed! You need a new sig.

Your still Pres for a little while. Then I have to change it. I am sure you will give me some good material between now and then.



ARC....so nerdy our President breaks bones while bowling.

 

[darren24]

I have always bleached the rock in a 50/50 solution (bleach / water) for a day or 2. Then put it in to a bucket / container with rodi water for a day or 2. I then let it sit out in the sunlight for a few days. Always worked for me.

 

[mvm]

What about muriatic acid?

 

[mvm]

Sorry. Poor reading on my part. What are you trying to accomplish?

 

[jdavid]

I just want to make the rock safe for aquarium use after bleaching

 

[mvm]

Air dry for a day and you're good. Why did you bleach originally?

 

[jdavid]

A lot of the rock was from my brother's system when he broke down. Aiptasia, cloves, and lots of dead sponge. Some was in a tub with water change water that I left stagnant with the lid on neglected. And the rest was just out in the open exposed to dust etc not being stored properly for an extended period of time.

I just wanted to give the rock a fresh start before the new build, and before the rest of the rock goes to a new home. FWIW, it hasn't been sunny, but some of the rock has been laid out to dry inside for days and it still smells like bleach. I've read that baking soda is harmless in aquarium use, and 4 tbsp for a 32g brute is all that is recommended.

I'm going to just do a prime bath after drying. After that I'll just take a 5g bucket, mix SW, add rock and a powerhead and test pH. Then I'll test pH a week later.

It seems like the general concensus is that the rock should be fine, but can't hurt to check.