Quick Question...

[paradigmcubed]

I have a volcanic style rock that I previously had placed in my snake cage, however I would like to move it into my new fish tank. I assume I would have to decontaminate it by heating it the oven, cleaning etc. I just wanted to know whether this is a good idea or not?

Thanks

[OrionGirl]

Test the rock with vinegar--if it fizzles, the rock will likely leach into your tank water. Could be good, could be bad, could be lethal. Test your water (after letting it sit overnight to gas off and reach a stable pH), then soak the rock in water for a week and then test that water. Compare the pH, and hardness--if it changes it drastically, I wouldn't put it in the tank. Fiddling with water chemistry--adjusting pH and such--can be very complex, and not a good way to start in the hobby.

If you determine that it's chemically inert, cleaning it to remove dust and detritus would be a good idea. Instead of baking it, I would boil it--the water will penetrate and remove more gunk than baking. Also, unless you had toxic snakes, it's unlikely that anything within the rock would be hazardous to fish--parasites and what not won't be able to infect fish.

[paradigmcubed]

Whether or not it makes a difference this rock was made to be put into an aquarium and the snake is harmless, so that shouldn't be a problem. Since this rock was made with the intention of being in an aquarium, should I still test it in vinegar etc.
Thanks

[OrionGirl]

I'd test it just to be safe. I have some rocks in my tank that were sold as aquarium safe, but they still change the KH hardness of my water by about 2-3 points, with the GH dropping if I lag on my water changes.

[paradigmcubed]

Thanks for your help!