Rocks

[atmmachine816]

My dad did some digging today and dug up a whole ton of nice peices of rocks that are a little bigger than slate that I would like to put in my fish tank but after I clean them up what do I do to make sure they are safe for my tank. Do I boil them in water right then isnt there something I put on them to test them if they are safe??

Thanks a lot

Austin

 

[atmmachine816]

They were dug up a 6 feet under our deck next to the foundation of the house where we are water proofing it so I don't think they would have come in contact with pesticides. So if this wouldnt be a problem then how would I go about cleaning it then.

 

[atmmachine816]

anybody???

 

[BigIan]

from 6 ft down they probably won`t have come into contact with many fertilised or other chemicals, but boild them and soak them for a few weeks before hand just to minimise the chance...

but on your head be it

 

[atmmachine816]

How much and how long should I boil them for?

 

[The-Wolf]

hi atmmachine
read my topic on rocks (see sig) for some pointers.

 

[steelhealr]

I wouldn't put anything from my my backyard in my tank no matter what I did with them. JMO. SH

 

[atmmachine816]

Ok and why is that SH just wondering what you have to support your opionin

 

[AMS]

I wouldn't put anything from my my backyard in my tank no matter what I did with them. JMO. SH

I actually use almost everything from my backyard in my tanks. I am 100% there have been no pesticides or fertilizers used. For wood I use the bleach method, and for rocks I do the vinegar test, boil, then bake, then boil again to sterilize. I havent been happier with my results. My tanks have looked a million times better since using backyard materials rather than LFS decor. There have been no changes in water chemistry either. I always get compliments when new people walk into my home as to how "natural and pretty" the tanks look . The only "problem" that I have encountered was the wood. After a few years some (not all or most but some) wood becomes quite soft, and when moved or arranged some soft hunks of the wood falls off. IMHO the best type of wood to use is brittle. It lasted over 6 years now and feels as looks the same as it did 6 years ago.

I love my backyard decor and will never go back to an LFS for decor, its free and you have an almost limitless selection to build your aquascape around. Its too bad people veer away from backyard decor, I and most other people have experienced no negative effects with it. Completely safe in most instances. Give it a try, I promise youll love it!

 

[steelhealr]

It's just what I choose to do. There are things outdoors that are not destroyed by heat, boiling, bleaching, baking, etc. You all may feel safe with it, and, in most cases, you'll probably be fine. However, I look at my tanks as an investment in time and dedication (not that eveyone here doesn't). But if there is a 1% chance that something may leach into my tank, I don't want it. We call stuff like that 'in the biz' the imponderables. SH