Rocks from creek in African Cichlid tank?

[GivenToFly]

Just picked these up from a local park and was hoping to build some caves out of them. So far I let them soak over night and scrubbed them a bit.


Any input would be great. Thanks!

 

[garfy]

Boil them is always a good idea

 

[Mrc8858]

They should be fine but a decent test is pour a little vinegar on the rock and see if it has any reaction. If not its should be good

 

[Mrc8858]

Boil them is always a good idea

Not always. Depending on the rock if there are any voids/air pockets inside the rock it could explode....

 

[GivenToFly]

Yea, I read boiling may be dangerous.

Doesn't the vinegar test only indicate they will raise the pH, which in this case is desirable?

 

[Mrc8858]

Well yes and no.... Some rocks could release other things too so the less reaction the more inert the rock

 

[GivenToFly]

Ok, thank you.

I think I'm going to start building some caves with them and get my tank filled up to begin cycling.

Is there anything in say a week, that would indicate the rocks are causing any bad water conditions?

 

[Mrc8858]

Watch for bubbling from the rocks, discoloration of the water, or excessive flashing from the fish.

 

[jcolon]

Those look like igneous to metamorphic rocks to me ... Where are. You located?

 

[ghostking010]

Boil it all the rocks in my tank came from a river and I had it in for a year nothing happens but its not 100% garanteed just gotta wing it

 

[butterfly_koi]

Rocks such as limestone can contain CaCO3 which can cause the Ph in the water to rise, CaCO3 is an alkali compound which acts as a neutralizer to the acid (vinegar), when an acid is poured on the rock the calcium carbonate neutralizes the acid therefore making it bubble.

It is never a good idea to boil rocks, they can contain pockets that can cause trapped air to expand and explode. Take the rock and scrub it real good (no soaps). Put it in a tub and full the tub with very hot water to kill off unwanted bacteria.
Always monitor your levels in your tank after introducing any thing new into the tank.