Slate Roof Tiles

[Fish are friends]

I have acquired some old slate roof tiles, (actually i raded a skip for them lol) The plan is to cut them up and make caves for my rams. Would the slate do anything to the water specs ie ph etc?

 

[isadorala]

Don't know about the water specs. We had them in the old aquarium and that was fine.
Just make sure you boil them for some time to kill of any nasties.

 

[fluttermoth]

They don't need actual boiling; never boil rocks in case they have air trapped inside and explode! It's not likely, but it can happen

All they need is checking to make sure there are no metallic veins in or cement on them, then scrubbing in hot, very salty water (you can even use the salt as an abrasive to get off any algae). TRinse in plenty of clean water, and leave them to dry out completely. Then they're safe to use.

Slate doesn't affect the water.

 

[OldMan47]

Slate is safe to use for a tank. At one time it was the main thing used as a tank bottom before tanks started being made from all glass with silicone sealant. I still use one of those slate bottomed tanks for my Xiphophorus nezahualcoyotl breeding colony. They do not know the difference and simply thrive in their tank. Note: nezzy swords do not know any better and simply act like LFS swordtails but they carry very long swords as their defining characteristic. Yep, my antique tank also has stainless steel corner bracing instead of relying on that same silicone to seal the corners of the tank.
Some angel fish breeders also use a piece of slate as a place for their fish to lay their eggs.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Slate is fine & makes real nice decor.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Slate is fine, as aforementioned and is completely inert. Put the slate into hot but not boiling water to kill off any nasties that it may have come into contact with it. Better yet, make up a 10% Bleach solution (ie: 1 part bleach to another 9 parts water) in warm water, scrub it, rinse it and then immerse it in hot water. Repeat the rinse stage until you can no longer smell bleach when you put the end of your nose to the rock - make sure you rinse it in water that doesn't have bleach in it ofc.

I'm not suggesting you press your face against it, or smash it over your head I'm sure you get the idea.