Ok then if I can't use amethys can I use Lapis. I don't really know anything about the stone and I don't have a bunch of it lying around so it would be much more expensive but it would be very pretty.\

forget it I guess i'll just use regular gravel or sand.

This post has been edited by Torrean: Mar 31 2005, 03:00 AM

i just saw some rocks @ local hware store called flag stone ? it looks like slate but it is yellowish ? would this be safe to use in cichlid tank?

also there are rocks i think is pumis but it is called feather rock? is this ok to use if i smoth it out a little so its not so sharp?

This post has been edited by qjim206: Mar 31 2005, 03:13 AM

torrean
sorry, Lapis lazuli contains the minerals calcite, pyrite, and sodalite.
it would be the calcite that woul;d make it unsafe for aquariums.

qjim206
flagstone would be the same as slate. you just need to be sure there are no iron or other metal veins running through it.

are metal veins visible or should i do the vinigar test? also what abought the feather rock ?

Flagstone is simply a term for any thin quaried stone. Unfortunately Vinegar wont do anything to show you metals held within the rock, I would recomend washing it VEry Very well, then useing your got given chemical receptors to manualy detect any metalic elements

Here is one not sure if you would know but what about clay? u can buy it in stores just mold and let dry or put in oven.you can get just tera cotta like the planters. would this be ok? and how would you treat before input in to tank?

fired, unglazed, terracotta pots anre fine for use in aquariums.

Thought i might mention Savanna Rocks. It's quite a new thing i think and a shop can choice to get in there stand of a selection of choosen rocks, there's lots on interesting ones in there, big and small types.

Unfortuanately they can be expensive our boss tagged them up at work for £2.95 per kg, which is ok from some of the smaller ones but once a customer starts picking out large chunks it gets expensive, we had 1 bloke spend £55 on a load of rocks.


Savannah Rocks

This post has been edited by Paul_MTS: Mar 31 2005, 03:51 PM

Don't be mean, I'm just querying.... but isn't iron one of the ingredients in plant fertilizer? (so I've been told)

I wouldn't know for sure on that one

Iron is found in many things as it is one of the basic elements that make up our universe. It is iron ore that could be a problem, rather than trace amounts of iron particles.

Sorry to bring this topic up again, but I was wondering why calcium is bad for FreshWater Fish ?? does it harm them in a longterm period or something??

I think I've mentioned somewere in the forums that I have dead corals inside both of my freshwater tanks, just so you know we collected them from the beach, they were already dead and dry.

From pics I've seen I think (not completly sure) that they are either "pineapple coral" or "open brain coral" or at least they look like that, now, they have been inside the tanks for about 6 weeks, and there is also this type of a dead "live rock" (not sure what it is) which has been at the tank for over a year. I didn't do the vinegar test btw (I only boiled them before placing them in the tanks) but I will do it this week cause I have to buy it first.

So, should I remove them even though there hasn't been any troubles with the fish?? (that I'm aware of that is)

This post has been edited by shuhu: May 22 2005, 04:13 AM

Calcium changes the gH, kH and pH as it breaks down.

I'm no chemist and really don't understand the interaction of kH, gH etc but a stable enviroment is the key to succesfull fishkeeping, rather than an enviroment thats is changing.

you may wish to read another topic of mine the mods deemed worthy of pinning
What's in your water? and how to deal with it

Looking at the site I think I bought some 'Pagoda rock'. It was described as elephant rock form the Namib desert.... I assumed as it sold by an LFS that it was fine and inert - I'm noe really worried as it is described as a sandstone with iron. Althoug I have been testing for Iron anyway in my planted tank and nothing has been showing (in fact I've been dosing the stuff). Can I assume the rock is safe?

have you done the acid test on it?
if you could post a pic I could proberbly help you a bit more.

Any thoughts on emerald ore? I bought a bag of raw uncut emeralds on ebay and have it tossed on top of my gravel.

it all depends what sedimentary rock the emeralds are in
personally I'd get the emeralds cleaned up and set in some rings or necklace
then sell them for shead loads of cash

what about rocks found on the beach? if they are boiled first? Im not sure what kind they are, but they washed up...they are really smooth and have some interesting coloration...

firstly, you need to be sure that you can leagally remove them from the beach(for all you know it could be a protected beach).

then it would really depend on the rock(s) in question, but if you follow the acid test and wash them thouroughly, I see no reason not to.

Yeah, I didnt get any because I didnt know if I could...and I probably wont get any because I was on vacation when I saw them...I just thought they would look good in an aquarium..