Rock Question

[DebraAustin]

I know I'm not supposed to put coral or shells in a freshwater aquarium, but what about other rocks. I have some beautiful rose quartz pieces from the land we owned in New Mexico. It can be scrubbed real well (without cleansers). Do you think it would be safe to add a few? They would be pretty and give the fish more to play around.

Debra

 

[jkrekord]

i have quartz in my setup and its ok
or at least i think its quartz

 

[Chri$]

should be fine.

 

[Torrean]

look at the-wolfs pinned topic about rocks in the aquarium. I think quartz will be fine but rose quartz may have an issue or 2 to consider first.

 

[The-Wolf]

Rose quartz is a macrocrystalline variety of the mineral Quartz (SiO2). Quartz is the most abundant single mineral on earth. It makes up about 12% of the earth's crust, occurring in a wide variety of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
It has a Specific gravity of 2.65 & a Hardness of 7 and is therefore safe to use in an aquarium.

 

[Torrean]

what's the difference between amethyst and rose quartz. I remember you telling me amythest was not suitable.

 

[The-Wolf]

SiO2 (minor Fe4+ impurities cause amethyst's color) it is the Fe(iron) impurities that make it unsuitable. Darker purple = more Fe

 

[DebraAustin]

SiO2 (minor Fe4+ impurities cause amethyst's color) it is the Fe(iron) impurities that make it unsuitable. Darker purple = more Fe

Wow, thanks for the reply. Either you work in the field or you are an avid rock hound to know so much about the composition of rocks. I think I'll scrub up a few for my aquarium and get them placed before I get my fish. I think that will add a really nice touch.

Debra

 

[The-Wolf]

Either you work in the field or you are an avid rock hound

nope just a master of the hidden info on Google