Can You Put Any Rocks In A Tank

[Craig89]

Hi All,

As im starting my new tank this week and ive really had trouble finding a nice centerpiece rock, Until today. I was just walking round the garden and it leaped out at me well you no what i mean.

The question is will it be ok in my tank? is there anything i can do check before i do put it in ?

 

[mattlee]

give the rock a good scrub to clean the surface of dirt etc then put a few drops of vinegar on a flat area if possible. if the vinegar fizzes then the rock may adjust your pH by making it slightly higher due to the rock type, if it doesnt fizz then it should be ok
just make sure its cleaned as best you can before adding it to the tank to prevent any contamination etc. some people will say boil it if its possible to kill any bugs etc but some will say dont do this as rocks can explode if they comtain trapped air when heated up....
i have never had a rock expolde on me and ive boiled all mine first, hit and miss really i guess but then i know of no one who has had this happen.....

 

[Craig89]

Cheers mate. Just done that and it didnt fizz so happy lol (over a rock) just got to find 4 smaller ones now.

 

[mattlee]

Cheers mate. Just done that and it didnt fizz so happy lol (over a rock) just got to find 4 smaller ones now.

its amazing what can please us sometimes......

i hope we get to see this wonderfull rock when its added

 

[Craig89]

lol all in due course my friend gunna be at least. Ive started getting into this Aquascaping game so its taking a fair while to set up

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

If you were closer I could have offered you some rocks. I have loads left over from my recent change in my 125g tank. I bought a huge piece of slate, glued (safe glue of course) three cube shaped stones to one flat side and let it set. It now sits back and centre of my big tank which has meant the removal of alot of the old aquascaping rocks. Not sure what to do with them all! Maybe a rockery in the garden?
I look forward to seeing your completed project.
P.

 

[PDSimon]

I'd be more suspicious of it than the vineger test, I don't think its very reliable. I would find out what rock it actually is and find out whether it will alter hardness and pH.

 

[mattlee]

I'd be more suspicious of it than the vineger test, I don't think its very reliable. I would find out what rock it actually is and find out whether it will alter hardness and pH.

this can be done while cycling the tank as its a new set up.

ive used loads of rocks from the garden or that ive found when out and about etc with no isues.... as long as its not limestone based rock it will be fine. if its just came off a beach then i would be slightly curious but as the op found it in the garden then it should be ok.

if you jnow of any other tests then please share them.... apart from leaving it in a tub of water for a week or so and testing the water for change i dont think there are any

 

[PDSimon]

My test consists of taking a picture of it and asking someone what rock it is, then googling "does x rock alter hardness and pH"

 

[mattlee]

My test consists of taking a picture of it and asking someone what rock it is, then googling "does x rock alter hardness and pH"

but what if their id of the rock is wrong which can easilly be done just from a pic....

 

[PDSimon]

My test consists of taking a picture of it and asking someone what rock it is, then googling "does x rock alter hardness and pH"

but what if their id of the rock is wrong which can easilly be done just from a pic....

It would be completely their fault

 

[mattlee]

My test consists of taking a picture of it and asking someone what rock it is, then googling "does x rock alter hardness and pH"

but what if their id of the rock is wrong which can easilly be done just from a pic....

It would be completely their fault

an easy way to pass the book......