Stones From The Beach And Driftwood - How To Prep Them To Go Into A Tr

[simonmac2]

i have gone beach combing with the nipper, and we picked up a selection of rocks...hers, that are the size of your pinky nail (to add to the garish gravel) mine, big chunky colourful rocks with holes so that there are "caves" when the fish get moved back.

so assuming that there is all kind of "stuff" on the rocks, what is the best way of getting rid of it? at the moment they are in a bucket getting rinsed in plain tap water.

not being a chemist, i guess once the rinsing is over, i should replace the water with dechlorinated water to get rid of anything remaining, and then put the stones in the tank while the cycling is going on and any nasties will be filtered out. - sound sane?

i also picked up a bit of drift wood....but think i'll just chuck it as it looks like pine that will just disentegrate eventually.

Regards

Simon

 

[Spishkey]

i havent a clue to be honest, but with my tank, i soaked my stones in boiling water, replacing when it cooled down, i did this over and over and over again for over a week.

i dont know if it killed all the 'germs' but theyve been in my tank for three weeks now with no problems!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

there's a couple of pinned topics that will help you, as you seem to have guessed you can't just chuck anything in, some rocks and wood will leech all sorts into the water, can send your pH and other levels all over the place.

here's a pinned topic on rocks http/www.fishforums.net/content/Tropical...n-The-Aquarium/

oh poop..... i thought there was one on wood as well, but i can't find it!

but yes, once you have ascertained that the rock in question is suitable for aquarium use you rinse it repeatedly, it's also advisable to boil it as the boiling water kills off a lot of bacteria and other nasties lurking.

 

[simonmac2]

how long should i boil the rocks for?

I would like to have the rocks boiled and cooling...... and my wife's soup pot back where it should be by the time she gets home from work.

Regards

Simon

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ha ha, it doesn't need to be for too long. anything that will be killed off by boiling water will be killed within a few minutes of contact. i'd suggest maybe 20mins or so just to be sure, that being said i've never actually boiled any myself (never felt the need to as i source stuff for the tank quite carefully), perhaps someone else can chip in!?