Can I Use These Rocks?

[Phoenixfish]

Ok went on a holiday with my mum down brixham,Devon and found some ace rocks and i was wondering if i can use them? how do i clean them?

ive just poured boiling water on them twice to get off any loose bits, there is a red ish vain running through the big piece and on one or two others and i think its iron(not pure) it comes off lie a dust so iron oxide?!? aka rust as they were found close to a disused iron mine is that safe? will i have to try and leach it out if thats possible?

ill put some images up if ive get the chance....god damn it how come i can never post images !?! ive tried reading the tutorial on member pics but where the hell is this browse? someone want to step by step me?

also ive spotted some small sparkling crystals int he vain quartz? (poss sp)

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If they have metal ore in them (especially if there are signs of rust) you should not put them in your tank, you should also avoid sandstone and limestone based rocks as well plus anything like sea shells.

 

[Phoenixfish]

If they have metal ore in them (especially if there are signs of rust) you should not put them in your tank, you should also avoid sandstone and limestone based rocks as well plus anything like sea shells.

hmmm ...damn they were nice looking too
ah well i may do some ph tests on the smaller rocks that dont have the vain but looks like the big one cant be used
oh well ill find another use
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how long to boil

going off that thread does this mean i can put my small slate in afterall once clean?

 

[iroc]

I have heard that you should soak your rocks in a 5% bleach solution for 2 weeks, then soak them in stright water for another 2 weeks, after that change the water soak for 1 week and check PH, nitrite, etc....


maybe someone else can tell you if this is right

 

[zedonepilot]

I have heard that you should soak your rocks in a 5% bleach solution for 2 weeks, then soak them in stright water for another 2 weeks, after that change the water soak for 1 week and check PH, nitrite, etc....


maybe someone else can tell you if this is right

i personaly wouldnt soak in 5% bleach or any other chemicals/chemical mix for fear of future leaching though you would not want porous rocks in youre tank except for when adjusting ph
i scrubbed my stones then boiled for well, about on hour or so.
then scrubbed again
had no problems what so ever

 

[nmonks]

Rocks are normally non-porous, so assuming you're collecting slate or granite or something similar, they're perfectly safe to use in aquaria. Have done so myself many times.

Soaking in bleach or whatever is pointless. The problems are likely to be either pollutants, like oil, or contaminants, like pesticide residues. Simple cleaning with warm water and detergent should remove these from solid, non-porous rocks. Ideally, collect from somewhere considered clean, i.e., somewhere the seafood and fish would be safe to collect and eat.

Cheers,

Neale