Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

Several years ago I built a 100 foot long stream (actually a pool/pond)
powered by a Sequence pump. It is approximately 3-4 feet wide and 4-12
inches deep. The bottom is covered with a multi-colored river rock. Over the
years dirt/mulm has coated the rocks. When I was pulling up my overgrowth of
cattails, the rock was disturbed and the overturned rock showd the shades of
white/cream/brown/black that it had when I installed it.

I know it is a natural process for this to happen, but does anyone have any
ideas on how to clean the river rock?

Thanks

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

Yes, it is natural for *stuff* to cover rock.
Rock provides a nice place for growing things to
latch on to. Also provides places for mulm to
settle down.
You can try renting a power washer to get most
of it out.

k :-)

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

Does your rock also have algae on it? Most surfaces will eventually
grow that. It can be removed by contact (rock in tumbler) or bleach
or algicide...but all them involve removing it or at least isolating
it from the pond.

Jim

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 10:10:33 CST, "t"
wrote:

I know it is a natural process for this to happen, but does anyone have any
ideas on how to clean the river rock?

Natural looks better than artificially clean rocks.

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

"t" wrote:

Several years ago I built a 100 foot long stream (actually a pool/pond)
powered by a Sequence pump. It is approximately 3-4 feet wide and 4-12
inches deep. The bottom is covered with a multi-colored river rock. Over the
years dirt/mulm has coated the rocks. When I was pulling up my overgrowth of
cattails, the rock was disturbed and the overturned rock showd the shades of
white/cream/brown/black that it had when I installed it.

I know it is a natural process for this to happen, but does anyone have any
ideas on how to clean the river rock?

Thanks


You could just turn them "upside down" to reveal the colors, but I think
you'll just have algae coated ones again shortly.


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 19:12:25 CST, San Diego Joe wrote:


You could just turn them "upside down" to reveal the colors, but I think
you'll just have algae coated ones again shortly.
San Diego Joe

LOL! That's what I was thinking.... that's what I do, but I only have one
section about 1 foot long, and it is pretty shady, so algae doesn't grow
much or fast, and the stream is pretty swift so keeps the debris to a
minimum. Still... it is doable, maybe a little at a time. ;-) ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:51:43 CST, ~ jan wrote:

You could just turn them "upside down" to reveal the colors, but I think
you'll just have algae coated ones again shortly.
San Diego Joe

LOL! That's what I was thinking.... that's what I do, but I only have one
section about 1 foot long, and it is pretty shady, so algae doesn't grow
much or fast, and the stream is pretty swift so keeps the debris to a
minimum. Still... it is doable, maybe a little at a time. ;-) ~ jan

I'm still a bit baffled by this thread. If I had the room for a
stream, I'd want it to grow algae to help absorb nutrients from the
pond, add oxygen and help with keeping the water clear. I'm sorry you
can't see the beautiful colors of stone, but how about the good
benefits. Regards,
--
Hal Middle Georgia, Zone 8
http://tinyurl.com/2fxzcb

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

In article ,
Hal wrote:

On Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:51:43 CST, ~ jan wrote:

You could just turn them "upside down" to reveal the colors, but I think
you'll just have algae coated ones again shortly.
San Diego Joe

LOL! That's what I was thinking.... that's what I do, but I only have one
section about 1 foot long, and it is pretty shady, so algae doesn't grow
much or fast, and the stream is pretty swift so keeps the debris to a
minimum. Still... it is doable, maybe a little at a time. ;-) ~ jan

I'm still a bit baffled by this thread. If I had the room for a
stream, I'd want it to grow algae to help absorb nutrients from the
pond, add oxygen and help with keeping the water clear. I'm sorry you
can't see the beautiful colors of stone, but how about the good
benefits. Regards,

Stones are better just to provide a texture to the bottom, and make
nooks and crannies for the pond waste to break down and not get stirred
up as easily.

--
To reply by email, remove the word "space"

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

Do you remember the song:

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make an ugly woman
your wife"

I am not a subscribe toe the song as a marital selection guide, but it
makes sense with stream rock.

Jim

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

In article . com,
Phyllis and Jim wrote:

Do you remember the song:

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make an ugly woman
your wife"

I am not a subscribe toe the song as a marital selection guide, but it
makes sense with stream rock.

Jim

SInce I know you wouldn't have said that if your wife were
"aesthetically challenged", no clarification was necessary. ;-)

--
To reply by email, remove the word "space"

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

Kurt,

Your post got s straight belly laugh from me!

You got it right! Marital selection was based on a beautiful, bright,
loyal friend. Now, 41 years later, it is still working well.


Jim

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

I'm *sure* the reverse was true, also...

k :-)

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

Phyllis and Jim wrote:
Do you remember the song:

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make an ugly woman
your wife"


ROTFL - so THAT'S why my wife is so happy (she married an ugly man)!



--

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Chris Barnes AOL IM: CNBarnes
Yahoo IM: chrisnbarnes
"Usenet really is all about standing around and hitting the ground
with clubs, on a spot where many years earlier a dead horse lay."

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

k wrote:


I'm *sure* the reverse was true, also...

k :-)

hmmph. I'm reasonably sure that in my case I was selected purely for
ability to reach upper shelves...
--
derek

Cleaning River Rock in Stream
 

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:47:20 CST, Phyllis and Jim
wrote:

Do you remember the song:

"If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make an ugly woman
your wife"

I am not a subscribe toe the song as a marital selection guide, but it
makes sense with stream rock.

Jim

I think the line was "If you want to be happy for the rest of your
life, never make a pretty woman your wife".

My first wife was a stunner. The marriage lasted nearly a year :)

Steve