Safe Natural Rocks For The Aquarium

[smudger123]

Hi all,

What are the general rules with natural rocks in the aquarium? My partner went walking today and came home with a rucksack full - not a clue what they are though There were three rock types in particular that would look great - are there any tests I can do?

 

[Ficious]

yes, vinager poured over them...if they bubble do not use them..if they dont bubble or fizz go a head.


most rocks are safe. i have granite in my aquariums

 

[jacko9901]

i use rocks from all over the place. brighton, allum bay in the isle of wieght and canvey island.

 

[tyyrlym]

Where were the rocks found? I wouldn't use any rocks found near a road or body of water located in an urban area. Too likely the rock will be harboring run off substances that will do your fish no favors. Any rock that you put in your aquarium needs a good scrubbing under as hot a water as you can stand and maybe even a dunk in a 5 or 10% bleach solution*.



*After the dunk rinse the rock well and let it air out for several days.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

here's a detailed topic on rocks for us in the aquarium

http/www.fishforums.net/content/Tropical...n-the-aquarium/

 

[smudger123]

They came from a stream in the woods but I realise after hours of scubbing the lovely colours were just varying degrees of iron content I went instead with 10kg petrified wood by simply natural.

 

[huckFIN]

I would add that if you're going to buy rocks the cheapest place is your local garden centre. Obviously you need to know what rocks are aquarium safe beforehand and avoid buying those that aren't.
I've just bought a huge chunk of purple slate for £4.99 that was so big I had to split it in two with a chisel and just use one of the pieces in my tank.
A piece that size would have cost a bomb at my LFS or petshop.