I've heard of people doing this and i was wondering what anyone else thought.My kids get buckets and play in the gravel rocks that are in our driveway.There are about 5 small buckets full in my yard as we speak.These are more natural rocks with shades of white,tan, cream and various shades of brown.I was wondering if they could be used in a fish tank.lol, they look like the same type of rocks that are sold in the lfs.And i would have to buy about 4 diffrent bags of tanbk gravel to get those color variations.So, basically, if i got some gravel rocks, washed them REALLY well and maybe allow them to soak...could they be used in a fish tank? lol, just curious.
an odd question
- Thread starter dreamweaver219
- Start date
I would not take them from the drive way, but yes it is the same rock (gravel). I get mine from landscapers at $0.17 a pound. Used it in many tanks.
you may want to boil just to be certain that they are clean, some bacteria may be on the rocks. You also do not want to use dish/hand soap for ANY aquarium items. Soap is really hard to wash off completely and is poisonous to your fish. "Wild" rocks are the best! True natural colors and each rock may hold personal histories for you. You could tell your kids in 10 years that the very gravel in your tank is what they played with as kids....and while we're on that topic, are you sure your kids are done with the gravel! jk 
I've picked up all sorts of decorative rocks around my house to put in my tank and havent had a problem yet except they contain a little bit of iron in them which may make some of your whiter rocks become rust colored. I dont know about gravel though.. just boil them and rinse it real well, i think it should be fine. Besides, tons of dirt goes into outdoor ponds and lakes and fish usually survive that aswell!
LOL, no, im not sure.But, i bet they would be excited to see them go into the fish tank.lol..... i hope.
No, don't plan to use soap of any kind, im always too affraid to try things like that.
and wow, .17 cents a pound? sheesh, we are being robbed at the lfs.lol
Our drive way doesn't have an area where we park, we park in the carport, so none of the cars have just sat there leaking oil or anything.I was thinking if maybe i collected it at the entrance of the drive way, it maybe ok.
And boiling it is a good idea, i had not thought about that.
Would changing the gravel in an exsisting tank upset the chemestry? if so, what can i do if and when i decide to do so?I was thinking that if i didnt clean anything else when i changed the gravel..like delaying the my plastic plant rincing and such...would that help hold some of the balance in place?
lol, not sure how to do this.normally, i just buy a tank, have it empty and then ADD stuff as i go.dont usually take thins away.lol
No, don't plan to use soap of any kind, im always too affraid to try things like that.
and wow, .17 cents a pound? sheesh, we are being robbed at the lfs.lol
Our drive way doesn't have an area where we park, we park in the carport, so none of the cars have just sat there leaking oil or anything.I was thinking if maybe i collected it at the entrance of the drive way, it maybe ok.
And boiling it is a good idea, i had not thought about that.
Would changing the gravel in an exsisting tank upset the chemestry? if so, what can i do if and when i decide to do so?I was thinking that if i didnt clean anything else when i changed the gravel..like delaying the my plastic plant rincing and such...would that help hold some of the balance in place?
lol, not sure how to do this.normally, i just buy a tank, have it empty and then ADD stuff as i go.dont usually take thins away.lol
rotflmbo,nope, cant say i ever thought of that.Guess, i'll scan my rocks with a magnet before i place them in the tank...lol j/k
I definetly wouldn't use gravel from a driveway, too risky IMO.
As for changing out the gravel, yes, it would upset thee chemistry a bit, but you could use biospira and/or change half the gravel at a time(seperate it with plastic canvas) to lighten up the mini cycle(make sure you test daily for a while after doing this)
As for changing out the gravel, yes, it would upset thee chemistry a bit, but you could use biospira and/or change half the gravel at a time(seperate it with plastic canvas) to lighten up the mini cycle(make sure you test daily for a while after doing this)