Colored Gravel And Drastic Decision

HI all,

I am very new on this forum. So if I make any mistake please forgive me.

I have brought colored gravel from pet store, faced the same problem as others. Paint was ruining the water I kept a Betta in it. Yet found out that my fish fins are somewhat effected by the color. So I moved them to another tank and taking good care of them.

As I needed a solution to clean the gravel, have tried to clean the gravel more than 50 times aprrox, still it's leaving colors. So I, being a moron, have soaked the gravel in liquid detergent for a night and then washed it. Though I have a smell free gravel, I am afraid to use it as I used liquid detergent and wondering if it's safe for my fish.

Please suggest, I need urgent help

 

I would fill a container with a weak bleach solution and dump the gravel in to remove the soap residue and it should help get rid of the bleeding paint. Then rinse with water and air dry.

 

I would be too afraid to us gravel washed in detergent (but I’m an over cautious type). As long as colored gravel is rained really really well it is okay to use, even if the color runs a bit. You can do a fishless cycle and the color will settle out in a few days

 

I would fill a container with a weak bleach solution and dump the gravel in to remove the soap residue and it should help get rid of the bleeding paint. Then rinse with water and air dry.

Thank you for your quick response, I am not going to use the gravel until I am sure that the detergent residues are completely wiped out.
The problem is I am in India and don't know where to find the soft bleach so ordered online.
I searched the net and found out that citric acid might work, is that correct?

Question : I have kept the aquarium in boiling hot water to remove the residues. Next I am thinking to clean it with citric acid and then keep it in hot water for a day. Will this help in quarantine the tank and the gravels.

 

I would be too afraid to us gravel washed in detergent (but I’m an over cautious type). As long as colored gravel is rained really really well it is okay to use, even if the color runs a bit. You can do a fishless cycle and the color will settle out in a few days

Thank you for the response.
As a beginner in this hobby, I brought grav ls paying heavy price though they are of cheap quality. I don't think cleaning them anymore will help. The gravels are painted with plastic paint which are used for walls.

 

Found out a way, I have dissolve Baking soda, lemon and vinegar in water and boiled my gravel 3 times approx 10 min each. Feels and looks like I have got a smell free, soap free gravel.


As you can see the soap on the utensil I used. Will be cleaning the gravels 2 times more and it's good to go.