Rocks

[Lila]

If I use rocks from outside, do I just clean them with hot water? Or so not us outside rocks?

[TomFromStLouis]

I used rocks bought from a landscape supply place and used one of those dry steamers to remove lichen and completely disinfect them. Boiling in water is also recommended. Make sure you don't get limestone, but you knew that, right?

[OrionGirl]

Rocks you collect locally can be used, but you will want to make sure they won't affect your water parameters. General rule is to test them with vinegar--rocks that fizzle are going to dissolve in your tank (which can raise the hardness, mostly KH, but also GH).

Check the location you collect from. I wouldn't use rocks from an area that is chemically treated, especially if the rocks are porous at all. Otherwise, a rinse in hot water, with maybe some scrubbing if it's a rough surface, should be adequate. I've picked up many igneous rocks that I put in my tanks with no problems. Petrified wood is also a good choice--very inert material.

[Steven]

When I used limestone rocks that I got from my backyard, I first cleaned them a little with water from the tap, to get most of the dirt off them, and than I put them all in a 5 gallon bucket filled with water and than I added bleach to the bucket and let it sit overnight. The next day I emptied the water, cleaned them up again, put them back into the know clean 5 gallon bucket, filled it with water and poured a good sized dose of water conditioner in to the bucket and again let that sit over night. The next day I emptied the bucket and boiled the rocks. After they were boiled I cleaned the rocks again with some water and they were put into the tank with no side effects what so ever.

If you do my method, make sure that you clean the rocks really good after using bleach and it dosent hurt to boil your rock for at least a half hour for each batch that you do.

This probably is too much work, but its highly worth the time and the money and the fish that you have invested into the tank. Just make sure that you get rocks from a source that hasent been chemically treated for at least a year. Just use common sence and you should be fine.

Steve

[Lila]

Thanks for the advice ya'll! It's appreciated!

[mr magoo]

An easy way you can test if the rocks will have an effect on your water is to get a bucket of water, test and record the water quality, then add your rocks or whatever. Then after a couple of days re-test the water. If The quality has not changed much the rocks probaabily are fine to use.:)

[wetmanNY]

Q: Where do those rocks at the lfs come from?

A: From outdoors.

Q: What do they do to make them aquarium-safe?

A: Nothing.

Q: How do they know they're the right kind of rocks?

A: Nobody ever complained, so they must be.

[SBee]

^^^ EXACTLY!!


I find it funny how Big Al's, for instance, sells various slabs of slate for probably 20 times the cost I can buy it at the narby landscaping place for. I mean, that's probably where they buy it too!