What's the rule for rocks?

Midas-n-Titus

Midas-n-Titus

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Feb 19, 2006
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I'd like to start placing some large rocks in my tank, what's the general rule for them? Is it recommended that I buy them from a FS or can I just take some from my back yard and "purify" them through scrubbing, boiling, baking, etc.?

Thanks.
 
Midas, I know I read somewhere that you should purchase the rocks from your LFS. But after that whole RWPS thread, I'm not so sure anymore.

I had some shells in my yard that I successfully boiled and added to my tank. Husband said it might help our water quality (he's in charge of the chemistry aspects.)

I know that you'd want to be careful choosing the rocks, because they aren't all created equal. One of the ones I purchased was labeled "lava rock." I'm thinking/hoping that it won't leach anything into the tank.

I have a decorative rock outside that is crumbly. I'm sure that type would be a poor choice to place in an acquarium.

Do you know any geologists?
 
Midas-n-Titus

Anything that doesn't buffer the water should work fine. Go look around outside. It's a nice day for a walk (here, anyhow :D )

You can test it with hydrochloric acid to see if it's inert. If you have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals FW Master test kit, then you already have the acid. Just scratch the rock and put a couple of drops of Nitrate Test Solution #1 on the surface. If it bubbles, don't use it. If it doesn't bubble, then it's inert and fine to use in your tank.

Some people will tell you that vinegar will perform the same test, however vinegar isn't a strong enough acid for this, really.

purple permelia:
shells will increase the pH and KH of your water, so make sure it's not already too high before you add those.

Roan
 
All of my rocks came from the western shore of lake Huron and the southern shore of lake Superior and the banks of the AuSable river here in Michigan.All I did was scrub them with bleach solution and really hot water.Afterwards i soaked them in my laundry tub with a heavy dose of prime.All my fish are healthy and happy.
 
We picked the majority of our rocks as well...just cleaned them really well...most were too big to boil or put in the bathtub. The really big pieces of slate came from the local landscaper...waaaay cheaper than the lfs prices. Just used the garden hose and a scrub brush....and a little elbow grease..lol
 
Thanks everyone, we have some river rocks that we've had in our front yard for at least a decade. I definitely don't see them crumbling or anything like that, but the inert test is probably a good idea.
 
You will hear several ideas here, from just scrubbung in warm water, boiling, and soaking in mild bleach solution and rinsing well, to just putting them in the tank (ouch).

I usually scrub with nylon brush to get loose debri off of them, let them sit overnight in a mild bleach solution (follow dose recommended for disinfecting on bleach container), then rinse and let them soak overnight in tap water with dechlor. It has worked for me, may not for you.
 
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