Rocks?

[ilikebunnies311]

i have a 20 gl tank that im working on getting started. i want to put big flat rocks into it so that it feels home like. i have a waterfall around where i am and i got some rocks from the stream coming from it. i plan on putting them into the tank unless someone tells me otherwise. i got a bunch of flat ones and i plan on stacking them up to make hiding places for the fish. the stream is straight from the mountain.

my question is:
to put the rocks in the tank can i leave the algae that is on them? or do i need to clean them well before i put them in the water?

i plan on having them in there while the tank is cycling. should i even bother putting those rocks in at all? or will the algae be acually good for the tank?


this may be a dumb question but i really just want to make sure for the sake of my fish that are going in there.

thanks!!

 

[marcan]

Hi!

I suggest you to read this thread on rocks: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=55806
There's a lot of information.

You should really boil your rock before using them in your tank. You have to kill any bacteria.
Be careful when boiling, the rocks will be hot for a long time.

Good luck!

 

[ilikebunnies311]

THANKS!!!! i honestly wouldnt have thought to boil the rocks first. i didnt think they could be so harmful. well looks like i get the lucky job of boiling rocks.... oh my mom is going to make fun of me for this one lol

 

[community begginer]

hay ilikebunnies311. just a heads up on the rock stacking. a freind of mine stacked some in his 2ft tank for places to hide and they collpased about a week later. killing one of his fish and breaking the tank from the inside. i cant believe the mess it made. rocks, fish (live and dead) on the ground and stacks of water on the floor of the living room.
im not trying to put you off or anything im just saying. be careful.
regards, community

 

[rabbut]

hay ilikebunnies311. just a heads up on the rock stacking. a freind of mine stacked some in his 2ft tank for places to hide and they collpased about a week later. killing one of his fish and breaking the tank from the inside. i cant believe the mess it made. rocks, fish (live and dead) on the ground and stacks of water on the floor of the living room.
im not trying to put you off or anything im just saying. be careful.
regards, community

Yes, make sure you have a secure stack. If it is permanant, use aquarium silicone to hold them all in place. There will be a few days between stacking your rocks and filling with water, however, it adds a layer of security. So long as the stack is secure, and does not fall over when pushed, it should be ok without the silicone though.

 

[ilikebunnies311]

thanks i was acually thinking about that about what if it did collapse. and what i could use to hold them together. a friend mentioned also sealant would that work too? should i use it before i fill the tank with water? im sorry thats probably a dumb question but want to make sure anyways

 

[Lorna]

Build your stack, attach it together with an aquarium sealent (clear silicone) , wait a few days (to dry) , when you are filling your tank with h20 you can add your stack in your tank, just like any other ornament. Find the best place for it in your tank, put it on level substrate, I wouldn't put it too near the sides of the tank (just in case of falling over) also dig it into the substrate a little.