Cleaning Air Stones

How To Clean and Rejuvenate Old Air Stones

 

Save some pennies by learning how to clean and rejuvenate old clogged air stones to reuse them with these simple instructions from your Guides.

 

What You Need:

• Bleach
• Vinegar
• Freshwater
• Water Container
• Used Air Stone(s)

 Here's How:

1. Rinse the air stone(s) in freshwater, lighting scrubbing any excess build up off the outside.
2. Allow to air dry.
3. Boil in freshwater for 10 minutes.
4. Allow to air dry.
5. Soak in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 3 parts freshwater for 24 hours.
6. Remove from bleach solution and attach an air line from an air pump to the stone and place it in a container of freshwater, letting it run for 5 minutes.
7. Remove from freshwater and continue to let the air pump through the stone for 5 minutes.
8. Allow to completely air dry, then store for future use.

 Tips:

1. To help remove hard calcium deposits, vinegar can be used in place of bleach in Step 5, or you can repeat Steps 5-8 alternating with both solutions.
2. DO NOT dry air stones of any kind in an oven, as this will melt the plastic hose coupling.
3. The above steps can be reduced, but for the best results, do ALL of them.
4. By repeatedly drying the stones, this allows them to absorb the different liquids and then expel the reduced contaminants.
5. This cleaning process can be used for any type of air stone material; i.e. wood, ceramic, mineral, etc.