Rocks

M

MVandenberk

AC Members
Dec 11, 2006
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Ontario, Canada
I just picked up a whole pile of slate rocks from a nearby river. I have pressure washed the majority of the crap that was on them.

Should I put them in a light bleach bath before putting them in the tank?
Some of them have a little bit of what appears to be green algae on them.
 
I would, you never know what other parasites you might be introducing to your tank. Be sure to give them a good soak in clean water with dechlor after the bleach treatment.
 
Alternatively, if the rocks are small enough to fit in a cooking pan, you can boil them in water for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse in dechlorinated water.

I've used this technique before, with petstore decorations made for reptiles.
I wouldn't recommend using such decorations, though, because you never know what the product may effect on your water quality. My "reptile" cave raised my PH levels for a couple of weeks, before they gradually returned to normal. The same is true for rocks (although slate shouldn't be a problem).
Some types of rock can alter PH levels, or add unwanted minerals (like calcium) to the water.

Best of luck!
 
If the rocks aren't small enough to fit in a pot to boil, you could throw them on the grill for a bit- that heat will kill any critters. Be sure to let the rocks cool enough before you handle them obviously. DO NOT SPRAY THEM WITH WATER TO COOL THEM!

TB
 
I put them through a bleach bath then soaked in water with de-chlorinator solution. I added the rocks same time as the fish (shortly before to be exact) and have been monitoring the quality every other day so far, I've only noticed the pH jumped to 8, but it's come back down to about 7.6-7.8. Everything else is still at 0.
 
pretty good advice.
I would not recommend you heat rocks that have been submerged.
with direct heat.
submerged rocks can have trapped water in them. if the rocks are heated the water in them may not be able to exist the rock. as the eat vaporizes the water the gasses may not be able to escape and build up pressure within the rock. these rock may then explode.
it is common knowledge in these parts to never use river rocks to line a campfire. I have seen what those rocks are capable of. it ain't pretty.
 
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