What Rocks Are Safe And Unsafe For An Aquarium?

[motherhubberd]

I have been collecting rocks to decorate my tank with but recently learned that even though I got some of the rocks at the river, I should not use them in my tank due to acid and mineral contents.

I am wondering what rocks are safe for the fish in the aquarium and what ones are not safe for the fish??

Also I have been interested in using shells from the ocean for my tank what ones are there safe and unsafe ones to use?

I am inquiring for a tropical, freshwater aquarium.

Well as I am writing this I also had a thought, what about wood? Can I put wood in my tank with out it harming my fish?

Thank You.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Not sure about the rocks and shells, other than they should be boiled and scrubbed very well.

But you want to be careful when putting wood in your tank that you have gathered form the ground. As sap, and other minerals/toxins in the wood can leak out in your tank and kill off everything.

What is best if you want to add wood, is if you live near a river, stream, lake pond etc, is try to find a tree that is on the edge of this body of water, and see where its roots go into the water, cut and use the roots that are submerged in the water. It is most likely that these roots have been submerged for a good 10+ years.

Also, wood that has been submerged in water for long periods of time, like wood found in a lake, would be better to use as well, just because it has been in water for a long period of time.

After that, you want to scrub the wood very well, and then boil it for some time to get out anything and to kill off any bacteria.

-FHM