When on vacation to the central California coast, my young daughter found a small rock washed upon the shore. It is 1"x1"x2", so very small and would fit perfectly in my 10 gallon fw planted tank. The rock is tan colored but I don't know what type. What are some of the concerns, if any and what precautions should I take? Any advice would be highly appreciate
Small rock from ocean safe for FW planted?l
- Thread starter hb3133
- Start date
I don't have too much experience on this but i've researched on it when i picked up some stones outside. I think your biggest concern is that the rock might disintergrate in the water over a period of time influencing your ph or possibly poison your fish depending on what content is in the rock. If it shows any metal colors then its a definite no.
If you have a test kit, the best way is to place the rock in water and test the water for ph before and after the rock is in there. Leave it in there for about a week or so. If the test results stay the same it should be fine.
I also heard another way is to drop some vinegar on it and if it bubbles then it is not suitable for your FW tank.
Theres probably other ways to figure this out. Someone else might have more real experience with this. ^_^
If you have a test kit, the best way is to place the rock in water and test the water for ph before and after the rock is in there. Leave it in there for about a week or so. If the test results stay the same it should be fine.
I also heard another way is to drop some vinegar on it and if it bubbles then it is not suitable for your FW tank.
Theres probably other ways to figure this out. Someone else might have more real experience with this. ^_^
if you're concerned about diseases or parasites possibly living on it, just wash it in some dilute bleach (1 part bleach to 10 or 20 parts water) and that will kill anything. just make sure to rinse the rock really well with fresh water afterward until the bleach smell is gone. wouldn't hurt to add a little extra dechlorinator into your tank, too, as that will remove any extra bleach (bleach is a concentrated chlorine compound).
i'm sure just soaking it in some vinegar might do the trick, too! plus you'll get to see if it will dissolve with time.
i'm sure just soaking it in some vinegar might do the trick, too! plus you'll get to see if it will dissolve with time.
The vinegar test is to see if it is made of calcium. Its the whole volcano trick, base rock + acidic vinegar + bubbles. Some "rocks" from the ocean are dead coral, so made of calcium. Saltwater tanks with all their rock and crushed coral keep a ph of 8.2, so on the base side. A small peice of calcium in a fw tank would alter the ph a bit, if you are having a hard time keeping the ph down now I wouldn't recomend it, and if you do put it in, check your ph often untill you know its safe.
But my real suggestion would be, start a saltwater tank, you already got your first reef rock!
But my real suggestion would be, start a saltwater tank, you already got your first reef rock!