Cleaning Airstones

X

xtract44

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #1

Hey Folks, just wondering how most of you folks clean your air-stones after a good run? Anyone find something that gets em like new again? ( Aside from buying new ones...)

 

S

SmokinLabrador

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #2

I've heard the micropore ones that are well built can be boiled to unclog them. The cheaper, fish tank style ones I would just pitch and buy new. They usually run what, $2-3 a piece? Well worth it for piece of mind.

 

H

HSA

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #3

Xtract44: I too toss the cheap ones and buy new ones at the 99 cents store, but I've gotten to like the good big fat ones from the hydro store. After I use the good ones I run them through the dishwasher on a sterilization cycle, soak them in a 10% bleach solution for an hour, give them a good rinse and I reuse them without any problem. I hope that helps. HSA

 

S

SmokinLabrador

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #4

HSA said:

Xtract44: I too toss the cheap ones and buy new ones at the 99 cents store, but I've gotten to like the good big fat ones from the hydro store. After I use the good ones I run them through the dishwasher on a sterilization cycle, soak them in a 10% bleach solution for an hour, give them a good rinse and I reuse them without any problem. I hope that helps. HSA

Click to expand...

I had always heard that using bleach will leave a residue, so I've been hesitant to try something like that. Maybe it's the dilution of the bleach that prevents this. Good to know!

 

X

xtract44

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #5

Thanks for all the Replies everyone. I am thinking about using some Vinegar and letting the pump run while they are soaking.

 

S

SmokinLabrador

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #6

I think I would try a strong H2O2 solution before I would try vinegar. I think you would have better results. I really do like the idea of giving them a steam bath via the dish washer though.

 

mike91sr

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #7

I run mine through the dishwasher, then give them a h2o2/bleach bath(watch your eyes). Bleach only leaves chlorine and a salt as residue, and a good rinse will take care of that. Mixing h2o2 in there leaves table salt and water.

"When dissolved in a solution of water, it will slowly decompose, releasing chlorine, oxygen, and sodium hydroxide.
4 NaClO + 2 H[SUB]2[/SUB]O → 4 NaOH + 2 Cl[SUB]2[/SUB] + O[SUB]2

In reaction with hydrogen peroxide it gives off molecular oxygen:
NaClO + H[SUB]2[/SUB]O[SUB]2[/SUB] → H[SUB]2[/SUB]O + NaCl + O[SUB]2[/SUB]↑

I will still replace mine after 2 runs, buy them in bulk for about a buck each. [/SUB]

 

chrishydro

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #8

I just toss them they are so darn cheap.

 

zerothefunk

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #9

Purchased the heavy cylinder ones...i dont throw away..not cheap..just put in h202 with water.

 

vilify

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #10

i followed this.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/fishphotosa_b/ht/CleanAirairston.htm

tried h202 before and did not do the job

 

X

xtract44

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #11

Yeah i would really rather not toss my air stones.. they aren't top of the line.. but they werent dirt cheap either. I think i am going to try the Peroxide before I try the bleach formula Vilify posted. Again thanks for all the replies folks!

 

vilify

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #12

xtract44 said:

Yeah i would really rather not toss my air stones.. they aren't top of the line.. but they werent dirt cheap either. I think i am going to try the Peroxide before I try the bleach formula Vilify posted. Again thanks for all the replies folks!

Click to expand...

it would add up quick. my stones clog up pretty often.
i have heard of the peroxide working, but i use lots of solids in my tea, so it clogs up pretty good.

 

X

xtract44

Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #13

I don't use many solids, but at times i do use Powdered nutrients in my Reservoir ( its cheaper.. 20 bucks for 2 pounds of powdered kool bloom vs 50 bucks for a gallon of liquid) ; it goes into solution pretty well but sometimes I do wonder if it helps clog up my stones.

 

dbkick

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #14

SmokinLabrador said:

I think I would try a strong H2O2 solution before I would try vinegar. I think you would have better results. I really do like the idea of giving them a steam bath via the dish washer though.

Click to expand...

watch an old stone boil if you place it in 29 percent. I've also heard of sanding stones but never got the details on that.

 

dbkick

Well-Known Member

• Jul 10, 2012

• #15

There's actually a cleaner the micro-pore companies will try to sell you, pricey too.