River rocks for use in cichlid tank?

[oo7genie]

Living right between the Willamette and McKenzie rivers here in Eugene, OR, I have the opportunity to collect some really great rocks to use in my aquarium from very clean water sources. However, I still have my concerns over the safety of using them.

The rocks would all be similar to those pictured below:

From what I've gathered so far, here is my plan:

1. Collect a few 5g buckets worth of top quality medium to large sized river rocks.

2. Boil the rocks. While I've heard that the rocks could potentially explode when boiled if they have any water trapped inside, I've also heard that this only takes place in 1000 degree temperatures. If anyone has personal experience otherwise, please let me know!

3. Bleach the rocks in a water/bleach mixture. While the boiling should kill off anything, it may not take place. Also, I like to be extra careful when it comes to the health of my fish.

4. Pour vinegar on each of the rocks. Don't use any that fizz.

5. Soak for a week or so in water treated with dechlorinator to remove bleach.

6. Let dry outside in the sun.

7. Take out old decor, replace with new rocks.

8. Enjoy watching my Malawis in their new digs!


Is this a wise way of going about this? Have I missed anything? Anyone have any suggestions or personal experiences with using locally gathered river rocks?

 

[zpromoter]

I've gotten away with just boiling before. If you follow your route, you'll be perfectly fine. Enjoy the great selection, just make sure that taking the rocks is not against any law.

 

[thebrandon]

If you boil them, be careful. Rocks with air bubbles in them can explode.

 

[oo7genie]

...just make sure that taking the rocks is not against any law.

Yeah, that's the part I'm worried about most of all actually. I haven't the slightest clue if it's illegal or not. If so, I may need to forgo the bucket idea, and just grab a couple here and there from different locations.

 

[oo7genie]

Looks like it's illegal to move rocks more than 10 feet, and then only for purposes of making swimming easier in the state of Oregon.

If anyone knows a good place to get a good amount of river rocks without paying out the nose for them, I'd be very grateful for the info!

 

[ianab]

Have you ever seen the "Rock Police" ?

Seriously, check for Official looking rock police, and if the coast is clear, stick a few rocks in your pockets and backpack, and run like heck.

Imagine if your were caught, going to court for stealing a rock.. You could make a fortune selling your story and pay the fine.....

Last I checked rocks were going for $2:33 a ton if you collect them from the quarry....

Ian

 

[spirofucci]

Just put them in chlorinated water over night and wash them until you can't smell the chlorine anymore, thats all!

But if unsure go the full montey as you have planned. Oregon makes cool looking rocks BTW!

 

[oo7genie]

Have you ever seen the "Rock Police" ?

Seriously, check for Official looking rock police, and if the coast is clear, stick a few rocks in your pockets and backpack, and run like heck.

Imagine if your were caught, going to court for stealing a rock.. You could make a fortune selling your story and pay the fine.....

Last I checked rocks were going for $2:33 a ton if you collect them from the quarry....

Ian

Have I ever seen the rock police? As a matter of fact, yes. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife busted me for collecting crawdads once while I was on a camping trip. According to the law, they are also the "Rock Police", and out here, they're all over the place. Not to bust people, but just doing their jobs keeping Oregon green and what not. But they do bust you if they find you breaking environmental laws.

Am I really that concerned? No. I'm just bummed that I can't get buckets worth at a time from a single location that I had my eye on, as I am going to need dozens to scape my tank.

Oregon makes cool looking rocks BTW!

If you're referring to the ones in the picture, I believe those are actually Amazonian. But the ones around here are the same size, shape, color, etc. IT was the best example pic I could find on the web

 

[wpgfish]

water with a tiny bit of bleach overnight then water with prime the next day and the rocks will be clean and clorine gone

 

[vanillarum]

I looked for a long time for some "river round rocks" with zero luck. One day I was picking up a couple of railroad ties at the local nursery, and to my surprise there were bins of what I was looking for ! They were only selling them in 50# packages, so I asked if I could buy less, since I only wanted about a dozen. The guy asked how many I wanted and when I told him he said "help yourself and take whatever you need !" So you may want to check out a couple of local nurserys. Good luck.