Rocks In The Tank?

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BelldandyShanny

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I'm toying with the idea of adding some yard rocks/wood to my tank.  I really have no idea what to look for when it comes to rocks, my ph is on the higher side so I wouldn't want to raise it any.
 
As far as wood goes we have a lot of white birch.  I was just wondering if there was anything I can keep my eye out for while wandering around outside, that given enough prep would make a good tank addition.
 
Ok, I got a couple nice chunks of quartz rock which I'm hoping is suitable.  There is an over abundance of granite, (New Hampshire) but the stuff in our yard looks to be quite grainy and full of mica, I am correct that mica is a no no right?  Splashing vinegar on the quartz didn't seem to be too much of a reaction, except on some more yellow parts.  I have some what may be shale I'm really not sure, that while it didn't fizz, did look like it thought about it.  So sticking with the quartz for now.  Boiling up some water to throw with it in a bucket and see what comes off and what doesn't, then will proceed to scrubbings, and another soak in hot water with just a hair of bleach, and then another hot water bath.
 
It's some nice looking rock so I hope it turns out alright.
 
here's some pictures of the ones I like, I'm still not sure about them as for tank use.  Look like there's a bit of mica in them but primarily quartz.  The one thing I worry about is that there's a bit of black "stuff" in a couple parts which I don't know what it is.
 
They are wet in these pictures, I like that they kind of look like ice.  Any thoughts?
 

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River rocks are really good for a tank, but what you have should be just fine.  Just wash those rocks well your good to go.  I don't really know about the wood.  I do know that drift wood is good for tanks.  Fresh wood will just float by the way. Definitely get someone else advice about the wood.
 
got some coconut shells ready to go, so I can pass on more wood.  The rocks have been boiled and scrubbed three times over and soaking overnight to remove the small amount of bleach, so I hope that's cool.  We're gonna go hunt up some river rocks in a week or so.
 
Maybe a silly question, but what are the coconut shells for?
 
hehehe, oh I'm sure you'll find a few more people who have them on here.  They are a good natural cave for fish, and you can attach plants to them and they will root in if your fish keep digging up from the substrate.
 
Wood you can pour boiling water over the wood and then let it soak for a while, boiling it will loosen the fibres within the wood.
 

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