BHM

[flatpack]

How would you clean 2econd hand BHM

[Manky Sanke]

Chemicals like PP might not get into the porous structure and kill every trace of bacteria, just in case there is something nasty lurking in there but cooking it in the oven for an hour would sterilise it.

[Brockp]

If you do decide to heat sterilise any porous ceramic or glass based media just we aware that trapped water, if heated quickly can lead to quiet a large bang (adult popcorn) and it can make a mess in your over. Boiling it for at least 20 mins is almost as good as dry heat without the risk.

Peter

[Gazza]

Hi jimbo,

I know many people leave it to soak in a strong solution of PP and if left long enough should get rid of the major concerns and i think when buying second hand media its always worth while to try to get some info on why and where it comes from or even go to pick it up. I think you picked this up and know the set up and will see how good/bad it may be.

[Manky Sanke]

Peter,

My initial thoughts were to microwave it but I rejected that idea because that might heat it up too quickly and unevenly. So I opted for an oven because, since it has an open cell structure inside so that the bugs that colonise it can get inside in the first place and then have access to the pond water, as any water turned to steam while the BHM was being baked, it would be able to vent back out again.

[Duncan]

hi get yourself a very large metal pot light a fire up the garden and boil the damn stuff