how to clean the stones in the tank?

[TAZZ]

hi all, i was just wondering, how would i go about cleaning those stones in the fish tank? one of my friends said to boil em in water for 20 mins or so

thanks

tazz

 

[slt]

hi tazz, when i clean the stones i give them a scrub in hot water then
i boil them for 10 mins,

 

[StiX]

If its just alge ur removing, just use one of them wooden nail brushes, works great

 

[TAZZ]

heh i boiled em for like 10-15 minutes... i was afraid they would lose their color (red) if i boiled em or somethign =)

anyway thanks for the replies =)

tazz

 

[Great Lakes]

I found the easiest way to clean gravel. I have a five gallon bucket, I put the dirty gravel in it, a whole gallon of cheap bleach, and if I have to, I add water to cover the stones completely. Leave for a few days, or up to a few months if you wish. When ready, rinse well. The bleach will completely break down any "gunk" in the gravel, it will look brand new.

 

[shtinkypuppie]

Arent you worried about killing your biofilration? Im not critisizing, just wondering.

 

[William]

The majority of the bacteria live in the filter. But lets say it is just 50%, then it will only take one day for their population to double bringing it back to the original size of bacteria population

 

[cichlidmaster]

One thing to remember.....

Bacteria only inhabits the first inch or so of the gravel bed.

How do you know which 50% to take out??

 

[William]

Well over 50% of the entire bacteria of the tank live in the filter if its a biological one. Take out all the stones and you'll still have more than 50% of the original bacteria in teh tank