Aquarium Safe Stones

[TheOscarman1981]

I've just got a quick question about some stones I got from the beach over the weekend, they have got patterns running through them and I was wondering if there is a way of testing to see if there safe to put into my aquarium.

I was thinking that cos I got them off the beach and they well wave worn that any thing that would dissolve and harm my fish would have already done so, the white markings all rise above the surrounding stone so it's a material that is harder than stone I'm no geologists I think it may be marble or Quartz but not sure.



This is just a selection of the stones I got lots more I've scrubbed and socked them to get the salt off.

 

[Akasha72]

hi, some stones are inert and safe for aquariums others not so. Some contain things like Iron-ore and from my understanding that isn't safe for fresh water fish. Someone once told me to drip vinegar onto them and if it fizzes it's not safe. 
 
The problem with these things is there is a lot of good info and there's a lot of bad info. Please do not take my word for it as I may have been given bad advice too. The best advice I can give you is - if in doubt leave it out.
 
It's always best to buy or decor from fish stores - that way we know it's safe.
 
That said, I hope the stones in your photo are safe to use as they look very nice

 

[TheOscarman1981]

I had heard that to that's why I posted to see if any one else knows whether it correct or just a myth cos there so many myths that go round, and that just a small selection of what I collected some don't have any markings I just collected them cos they nice and flat and I may in the future get some Rams or some thing that like flat rocks to breed on.

 

[NickAu]

 
It's always best to buy or decor from fish stores - that way we know it's safe.

I do agree.
But sometimes it can pay to shop around.
 
I got some nice stones from LFS once cost me $ 14.99 for a bag with about 1/2 a kg. Only to find the same stones in Crazy Clarks ( Its one of those cheap shops ) for $2 bucks, Yes they were exactly the same as LFS I know this because of the label on the bag.

 

[fluttermoth]

All stones are 'safe', as long as they don't have any metallic veins running through them, but some will affect the hardness and possibly the pH. Of course, you must also make sure that they're well cleaned (but do NOT ever boil them; they can explode!); watch out for traces of oil on stones from the sea/beach too.
 
Vinegar is often suggested for testing rocks, but it's really not a strong enough acid. You can use rust remover, if you have access to it, or you can set out two identical jars, one with a stone in and another with just plain water and test them after a few days to see if there's any difference.
 
I feel I ought to point out that taking rocks from beaches is illegal in much of the UK. (This might sound petty, but popular beaches can lose literally tonnes of rocks over a year because of this; even if each person is only taking four or five stones.)

 

[TheOscarman1981]

I did not know that it was illegal thanks for that info I will not do it again, and thanks for the other info it just so expensive my lfs charges between £6.50 / £8.50 per kilo and I got them for my 5x2x2 aquarium cos I need some landscaping rocks at least 5/6 and lfs was wanting nearly £30.00 each rock.

As I said I did not know it was illegal other wise I would not have taken them.

I'm a single dad with little disposable income so thought it better than getting them from lfs but I know better now and will not do it again. Do you know how I stand if I get from a river.

 

[Vethian]

Very interesting video:
 
[youtube]https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmOoiLzV0Z8[/youtube]

 

[Akasha72]

I didn't know it was illegal either ... you live and learn lol

 

[Munroco]

I didn't know either, but jeez, they are just stones... no one else wants them. I'll just carry on as before.
 
Rivers may be different. The foreshore belongs to the crown in the UK, if the queen tells me she is running short of stones I'll stop.
 
These stones all look safe to me, its the ones that are crumbly that tend to dissolve in aquariums.

 

[TheOscarman1981]

Thanks for the video fish fantastic it just what I needed very helpful
Thanks for the help people.

 

[fluttermoth]

I didn't know either, but jeez, they are just stones... no one else wants them. I'll just carry on as before.

I know it might seem a silly law, but many beaches need the stones if they're not to be destroyed by coastal erosion. Everyone thinks, "oh, they're just stones, I'm only taking a few", but it really does mount up. Many of the beaches near me have to have tonnes of stone and rock brought in every year; one of my best friends used to work for the environment agency, and it is a problem on many beaches, I can assure you.
 

Rivers may be different.

With rivers, it depends on the landowner. It would certainly be illegal to take them without the landowner's permission.

 

[TheOscarman1981]

I done the acid test with phosphoric acid and they are all good so I feel safe putting them in my aquarium again thanks for the help

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Another option for stones would be to go to home improvement stores or to landscaping companies.   Generally speaking, the mark-up on things for 'pets' is significant.  
 
 
Generally, if you can find the 'same thing' but sold for a different purpose, you can save 50% or more off the retail price.
 
 
For example, petco black sand is $20 for 20lbs.  But, I can get black ceramaquartz 'sand', 50 lbs for $20.  Looking at the two side by side, they look almost the same, and both are completely inert.