Aquarium Rock Helpp

[AnkushNayak]

Hi 
 
 
I am Ankush i am fairly new to this hobby. 
 
I found this stones can anyone tell me if they are safe to use or not.
 
I would be keeping cichlids in my tank and i have done vinegar test on the rocks saw some fizzing but it was really no that much,
 
https/postimg.org/image/cwhsik0pt/
 
Thanks
Ankush

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If they were fizzing during the vinegar test, they are not safe.  They will dissolve in the water.  

 

[AnkushNayak]

Hi Thanks for your reply eaglesaquarium.

I saw bubbles when i put vinegar in but mainly where there were small crack it could be just vinegar going in and making bubbles. I saw the vinegar reaction with the rock it wasn't same rocks i have.
 
Pet shops don't really sell rocks here,

 

[Akasha72]

agreed. Any signs of fizzing when vinegar is dripped on to them is a sure sign they are not safe to use. 

 

[Alasse]

What cichlids?

If they are african cichlids fizzing rocks are usually ok. They harden the water which is ok for Africans

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Alasse makes a good point.  I was assuming South American (but that's just my bias, due to the water where I live).  

 

[AnkushNayak]

I agree with you all. 
 
Yes i will be keeping african cichlids and my water has a ph of around 7.5 with a hardness of 500ppm 

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The pH is a bit low for Africans.  

 

[AnkushNayak]

what would be the ideal ph for cichlids? 

 

[Munroco]

Probably about 8PH, you can probably raise it by putting some shells in your filter.