Decorative Stones & Pebbles

[mark1980]

Hi,
I have picked up some pebbles and stones from a nearby river and I think that will look great in my tank.
I just wondered if I need to take any precautions before I put them in.

 

[kj23502]

Do you know of any chemicals come down that river? If they are on your rocks it could poison your tank. To make sure there aren't any bad algea spores or anything like that on them you could soak them in bleach solution of 1 part bleach per 20 parts water. Then rinse them really good. Plus while they are sitting you could see if any ugly film may float to the surface maybe?

As long as you rinse good bleach is fine to use. I've used it before too!

 

[PeteWright]

You've also got to be careful of the type of pebbles and stones that you have picked up, for example limestones can cause changes in the the water quality which may be unacceptable to your fish, if the pebbles and stones are sandstones or, for example, granites then they are generally ok. Also agree with KJ that you have to be careful of what is flowing down the river...