Rocks & Pebbles

[seangrenyer]

Hi

Just bought a Juwel 240 tank and put a sand base in.

Want to get quite a few large/medium size rocks (or slate) and some large pebbles.

Plenty in the garden but wasn't sure if these would be appropriate, even after cleaning.

Our local garden centre sells rocks/slate slabs quite cheaply that 'look' pretty clean enough and bags of good sized pebbles.

Would appreciate people's experience with such things.

Cheers.

Sean

 

[kizno1]

they should be fine aslong as you boil them first

 

[raptorrex]

Hi

Just bought a Juwel 240 tank and put a sand base in.

Want to get quite a few large/medium size rocks (or slate) and some large pebbles.

Plenty in the garden but wasn't sure if these would be appropriate, even after cleaning.

Our local garden centre sells rocks/slate slabs quite cheaply that 'look' pretty clean enough and bags of good sized pebbles.

Would appreciate people's experience with such things.

Cheers.

Sean

any of your options will be fine. if you see rocks with an, obvious, red or rust colour or striations, try the vinegar test. if it fizzes don't but it in. i would advise against boiling the rocks. not that is would not make them safe, but because its not unheard of for rocks to split, or even explode, when you do. a good scrub and then rinse with boiling water, followed by a soak in, none heated, boiling water, should be fine.

sedimentary rocks (sandstone and the like) should be, repeatedly soaked in boiling water (do not boil these, they will almost certainly go off pop), over a period of days imho. but, after that, i have used it with no, obvious, problems. might i suggest, its not really the type of stone i would add, untill the tank was mature. and some would say, not at all.