Cleaning Slate From A Creek?

Hello,
I have been collecting really good pieces of slate from a creek behind my house. I know that I should boil it to make it safe for my aquarium. What is the best way to clean larger pieces that I can not boil? Is it ok to just dump boiling water over it a couple times? Thanks.

 

I would not boil it. Boiling rocks can be dangerous. I always just take the garden hose to them, spray them off good and dump em in. If you are really worried about bacteria, you could rinse them with bleach water and let them sit for a day to dry off. Rinse them well and they are ready to put it!!

 

Can you plug your kitchen sink? If so you can do that and pour some boiling water in the sink and let the rock soak for a few minutes. If they're still too big, maybe...try the bathtub?

 

I just rinse rocks from outside with hot tap water then dry it and add it to my tank. No problems so far.

 

Hello,
I have been collecting really good pieces of slate from a creek behind my house. I know that I should boil it to make it safe for my aquarium. What is the best way to clean larger pieces that I can not boil? Is it ok to just dump boiling water over it a couple times? Thanks.

I really don't recommend just rinsing rocks off and plopping them in your tank. A fish tank is a lot like someone with an immune deficiency that has to live life out in a protective bubble because of the risk of the outside world killing them should they come in contact with it. Using stone from a natural body of water comes with more risk than a rock in your garden may - Bacteria, parasite, invasive passengers (leaches, snails, eggs..) etc...

Scrub them thoroughly with a wire brush to dislodge dirt and lose particle, then soak in a plastic tub with a strong regular bleach solution. If the piece is really big, then wash the bleach over it in the plastic tub. After a short bleach wash let it dry over night after rinsing the piece. It can be added when the scent of bleach is no longer detectable.

 

From what i’ve found, only porous rocks have the chance of exploding(eg lava rock) since they’re the ones most likely to have air and/or water trapped in them. But rocks like granite and slate most likely wont, just be sure it’s dry first. (dont wanna say it’s impossible)

How to avoid exploding rocks

Rocks: Boiling to sterilize

But like others have said, it’s not really needed to boil it. Rinse it well and dry it out completely a few times, then add it to your tank.

 

Leaving them completely dry for a week will ensure you don’t add anything nasty to your tank.