Cleaning used gravel

[Organized Chaos]

I just gota used tank, and the guy had a ton of used gravel. He's had it in his garage uncovered for about thre years. What should I use to clean it? Ammonia? Vinegar? I would prefer not to boil it because theer is so much. How can I clean it?

 

[smb]

IMO, I would get new gravel. You don't know what poisons might have gotten in there. I wouldn't risk it but if you have to use that gravel I would definately use bleach.

If you do that, make sure you rinse it over and over and over and over etc, and then let it dry out for a few days before use.

 

[AttackKoala]

SMB is right. You shouldn't use the gravel unless you bleach and or boil it and rinse it thoroughly. Even so, you might want to get new gravel anyway since there are chemicals that rinsing won't rinse off, and bleach doesn't do anything to chemicals, just bacteria.

 

[Organized Chaos]

Thanks for the reply, That is what I expected, I was trying to be cheap, but I guess I'd rather be safe.

At least now I can choose the colors I like.

 

[Inchworm]

Cheap is ok when it comes to gravel, Organized Chaos.

I reuse mine all the time, but it never sits in a garage between uses. (Actually, I have to haul it home on the bus and it's pretty heavy for me to drag around. It's easier to boil it than to carry a 50 lb. bag on the bus. )

If you have an independant lfs in your area, chances are good he sells bulk gravel. I use #3 which is small, but not the smallest size. It sells for .30 a pound or $12 to $14 for a 50 pound bag. It's natural rock in shades of light brown and the edges are not sharp. The chain stores sell prepackaged gravel, only.

Of course, colors are nice, too. But they are expensive.