DIY Gravel

I'm just jumping in here because I am about to start a new 35 gallon tank and dont want to spend too much on the Substrates. So am I understanding that I can just buy any only gravel, rocks, whatever from anywhere and wash them good and they are good to go?? What about larger rocks that I might pick up for decor, do I need to coat them with something so no minerals or anything leaches out?
 
You can use any rocks that you want, there is a test but I can not remember what it is, but I am sure that a search on this web site will produce an answer (I know it has been stated before). You should boil your rocks and let them dry to kill off anything that may be on them. People have used marbles, river rock, plain gravel... You want to make sure that it is not too small to get stck in tyour fishes mouths.
 
Ok I found this on another post...

Kasakato said:
To test the rocks drop some vinegar on them. If it fizzes they are no good. If there isany rust on them also toss them. Another test you can do will make sure of it 100%. Take a bucket of tap water and use de chlor. Test the pH of that, and add the rock. Wait 24 hours and test again, If it changed a lot its also no good.

I cant tell what kind of sand that it. Is it play sand? Pool sand?
Click to expand...
 
vinegar might not be strong enough of an acid to get the reaction that would tell you that the rock would change your ph. hydrocloric acid/muriatic acid is strong enough to do the test with.

some pool clorine tests contain muriatic acid.
 
well, those rock tests sound easy enough. That should save me some money. Thanks for the info.
 
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