Rocks in my tank - where to get them

I

Infiniplex Syst

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Nov 28, 2005
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Ok, I live in central texas, just outside Ft. Worth/Dallas area. I have a 46 gallon bow-front tank, very nice, probably spent to much money on it though. Anywho, I have 3 decorations I bought from petsmart, and they seem rather small. Id like to do something here, for my fish - African Cichlids. I want to build up one side of my tank with big flat rocks. I want to build them up were there are caves for the fish to swim, hide, and do whatever in. My question is what rocks are safe for this? I have a rock selling place not but 5 mins from me, and I am sure they have it all. Once I get the rocks, what do I do to them to get them ready for the tank. I mean, I know I should wash them, boil them if I can(if size will allow me) and scrub them down, but do I need to treat them or coat them with anything? Your help is greatly appreciated!
 
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If you're looking for aquasafe flat rocks, slate will probably be the best option. Shale could work, but it gets soft and flaky. Slate is actually a metamorphic form of shale, so they look similar. Both are inert and aquasafe.
 
Since soapstone and steatite are "forms" (by forms I mean that they are in the same geological family, if there is such a thing. I'm not sure of the correct wording I should use for this, but I'm sure someone will correct and edumacate me) of shale and slate, are they inert?

I've heard that the vinegar test isn't really viable. Is there another test that can be done instead? I want to double check.

Roan
 
Soak it in bleach.
 
If you are waiting for the acetic acid word, it's vinegar. A 5% solution of acetic acid is vinegar. With a little amount of citric acid and tartaric acid. :OT:

Slate is good for tanks. When I have to clean rocks (mostly picked from the soil) I wash them with a hard brush to remove the visible contamination. Then, let them soaking in chlorine overnight. Next, 5 minutes in boiling water.

I've never had problems with rocks using this procedure. And I pick rocks where I find them.

To form caves, slate is easy to use. You can glue them with the same silicone used to seal your tank.
 
So where can I get these slate rocks, would Lowes, or home depot have these, or should I go to a local rock/landscaping company. Which would be the best price as well?
 
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