Scavenging!

[Dogson]

I'm thinking of taking a walk down the River Ouse this Aft. So was wondering has anyone picked up anything from a river walk, beach walk and used it to furnish their tanks. If so what did you pick up and how did you prep/clean it?
Thanks

Dogson

 

[minxfishy]

Stones, large ones at that, from a brook/stream that runs thru the village I live in, took a bucket with me and picked out the ones I wanted, once home, I gave then a good wash in very hot water and scrubbed them clean and then put them in the tank. These were smooth stones, not holey ones. If in doubt on stones, do a vinegar test on them.

 

[Dogson]

Thanks Minxfishy, I've heard of that test on another thread but can you remind me of what's involved?

 

[razer121]

ye id like to know about this test as i have a brook that runs near me with some awesom stones in!

 

[Dogson]

Found it:
" i just read on another post similar to this to put a drop of vinegar on the rocks and if it fizzes it's bad for the tank, but if it doesn't fizz it can be used. hope this helps. "

OK has nyone found good wood from river/stream and used it in tanks

 

[minxfishy]

Found it:
" i just read on another post similar to this to put a drop of vinegar on the rocks and if it fizzes it's bad for the tank, but if it doesn't fizz it can be used. hope this helps. "

OK has nyone found good wood from river/stream and used it in tanks

Yup, thats the test

 

[waterdrop]

Also for stream/river walks I've mentioned in a number of other threads that the best cory breeders use water-smoothed sand/pebbles from places in streams away from people.. much smoother than regular sands you can get. WD