Rocks

[abcdefghi]

I found a bunch of rocks outside and am trying to find out what kind they are, and if they are OK to use in my tank. I attached a few pictures to help with identifying them.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/0f007a24d3.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/467c1de96b.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fac493f966.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/9030da46ac.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/dc3d456400.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/9b7896c680.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/be1606b4c4.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ebbe696af2.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ffb6a3290c.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

If it helps to ID them I am in Northern VA. Also, what effect will these possibly have on my water (soft, acidic) and what is the best non boiling way to get them clean ready for the tank?

Thanks.

Edit: The photos are slow to load, not sure why.

[Sploke]

Don't really know what kind of rocks they are but I've used all sorts of rocks and driftwood from outside with no problems. What I usually do is boil them in a pot, this sanitizes them and also loosens up any dirt. For some reason it sounds like you don't want to boil them, so at the very least I would boil a pot of water and dump it over the rocks, and scrub them very well. Then, toss them in a bucket full of water for a few days and test the water params - pH, GH, KH, and compare to your tap water. If they throw things out of whack, don't use them. If the water stays stable, you should be set.

[Hurley]

To test and see if they are safe for your tank you can try putting some vinegar on them. If they fizzle or bubble then I wouldn't put them in the tank but if they don't do anything then they are inert and safe to put in your tank because they shouldn't change the water chemistry. But you should def. clean them, even if they are inert because there may be chemicals and pesticides on them you don't want in your tank.

[JoeLaX28]

Judging by the red color of the bottom picture, there MIGHT be some iron in it, but if your putting it into a planted tank, your plants will problaby enjoy it. I'm not sure abou the other two though.

As Bunny said, pour some vinager (or a stronger acid if you have it) and wait to see if it fizzles. If it does then throw it out because it means that there is calcium on the rock which could raise your PH.

As for preparing them without boiling, this is what I do:
1.First I use a wire brush and clean them as best as I with only tap water.
2.Next I soak them in a water-bleach solution (9 parts water - 1 part bleach) for about 30 minutes to an hour.
3.Next I let them dry and after they are dried I rinse them in HOT tap water and let them redry.
4.After that, I soak them in water primer (I use Aquasafe) and water for a day (usually I use about 1-2 gallons of water depending on the size of the rocks and treat for 10 gallons)
5.Let them dry and sniff them for bleach.
6.If you smell ANY hint of bleach, you have to repeat steps 4-6 until there is no trace of bleach.
7.If you can't smell any bleach then your rocks are now safe for your tank.

[ibr3ak]

Judging by the red color of the bottom picture, there MIGHT be some iron in it, but if your putting it into a planted tank, your plants will problaby enjoy it. I'm not sure abou the other two though.


IF he doesn't have fish in that tank, and because most of the planted tanks have acidic ph in the 6.5 range, carbonates and heavy metals react in it alot faster than if he would've had an african cichlid tank for example with alkaline ph in which those same materials will not react at all or will remain inert for the most part. But the chances that the rock contains any heavy metals is unlikely.

[OldMan47]

The best advice that I think I have seen here is what Sploke said at the end. Take your clean rocks and put them in tap water for a few days to make sure there is no impact on the water chemistry. At the same time I would put some tap water out to sit. At the end of a few days, test both. This should eliminate the impact of the water aging and you will be comparing apples to apples. The only variable that you should have is rocks or no rocks. If things change you will need to decide if the change you see is one you can put up with.

[THE V]

I'm by no means an expert on geology but my guess (big time guess) is the tan colored rocks are a silica sandstone (safe) and the gray one is a more compressed slate (don't know the official name = safe).

I don't think that you should have any issues.

[abcdefghi]

I'm by no means an expert on geology but my guess (big time guess) is the tan colored rocks are a silica sandstone (safe) and the gray one is a more compressed slate (don't know the official name = safe).


The gray one is definitely slate, I chipped off a layer, not sure if I will use the slate though as its the only piece I can find. Silica sandstone could be right for the others, if I look closely it almost looks like sand (tried to show this in the close up pics). At the moment the rocks are soaking in some dechlorinated water (after an hour bleach soak last night). Will take them out this afternoon and do a sniff test for bleach.

[abcdefghi]

Update: I checked the pH again today (rocks been soaking for about 20 hours) and the pH has gone up to about 6.4 on the API kit. My tap water comes out at 6 or below (I don't have a low range pH and have been unable to find one so far). I know it rained last night, and I would imagine some of the rain got in with the rocks, or some of the bleach may be affecting the pH (maybe??) so I will leave them for another couple of days and test again.

I think even if they raise the pH to 6.4 if it remains stable then I may still use them, the only thing I am unsure about is the affect on water hardness (my water is really soft) or buffering. I would be happy if they provide some buffering, but again, only if things are stable. I am fishless cycling at the moment, and in no rush to put the rocks in. So might bring them inside tonight, fill with clean tap water and dechlor and let sit for a week.

[OldMan47]

If it only moves the tap pH to 6.4 it might be a benefit to your fishes health. The move toward neutral might be a good thing in this case.

[abcdefghi]

Well, I am glad I tested these rocks before using them. Last Thursday I brought them into the house, emptied the water and refilled from the tap. Checked the pH and it was 6.0 or lower on the API kit.

I tested it again yesterday and it was 7.4 on the API kit. In 4 days the pH had swung from one end of the scale to the other. I am a little dissapointed that I can't use them, but glad I took the time to test them out first.