Rocks And Silicone

[celaeno]

after learning that unglazed ceramic tiles were unsafe and being unable to find slate, i gave up and went to the lfs and picked up some beach pebbles ($0.99/lb) and red shale ($1.99/lb).

1. are they aquarium safe? (they most likely are, but i just want to be sure.)

2. how should i prepare them for use in the tank? how long should i boil them?

3. what should i use to file away the sharp edges of the shale?


i also went to the local hardware store and saw 2 kinds of possibly aquarium safe 100% silicone.

http/www.geadvancedmaterials.com/geam/ge...seholdglue.html

http/www.dap.com/media/product_photos/Pa...leSilicone.aspx

1. the ge one doesn't say mildew resistant, whereas their silicone ii product does. anyone know if it's mildew/mold resistant?

2. the dap one doesn't say mildew resistant either, but is paintable silicone aquarium safe?

 

[celaeno]

ok, i just want to know if beach pebbles and red shale are aquarium safe and if they will affect the ph?

 

[celaeno]

does no one know?

 

[*Fishkies*]

Well here is a topic on rock types and what to do with them to see if they are safe. Safe Aquarium Rocks

Also silicone from you LFS would be safe for sure.

 

[celaeno]

Well here is a topic on rock types and what to do with them to see if they are safe. Safe Aquarium Rocks

Also silicone from you LFS would be safe for sure.

i've seen that article before, but it doesn't say anything about shale or beach pebbles.

 

[dthoffsett]

The beach pebbles will be fine. I'm not sure about shale though, I think it tends to flake apart in water. You only need to boil the rocks for around 20-30 minutes.

Not sure about the silicone, I do know you DON'T want any silicone that says it is mildew/mold resistant as they add a chemical to make it resistant that will leach out in the water and is toxic to fish.