Adding rocks to my tank

[myriam]

My father-in-law collects rocks, and he would like to give me some for my tank. They are quartz and polished agate. How can I be sure they won't mess up my water?

 

[RogerMcAllen]

Quartz will be fine, put some acid on the other and see if it fizzes. Fizz is bad.

 

[madasafish]

Yeah, quartz is about the least reactive rock out there (Si02, Silicon Dioxide). Good choice. Agate is a variant of quartz, so that should be fine, too.

 

[nashbog]

Tank rocks

I see posts about acid test, what kind of acid do i use?????

 

[nashbog]

tank rocks

Is Granite a good choice??

 

[deli_conker]

Hydrochloric acid is the usual test. I'm pretty sure there is another one commonly used, but I'm unsure of what type it is.

Granite, marble, and limestone will increase the ph of the water.

 

[nashbog]

Rocks

Found some beautiful quartz in broken pieces on a mountain near me, cleaned it and even boiled it, It looks great!! thanks

 

[Menagerie]

myriam and nashbog--you need to post pics when the rocks are in the tank!

 

[myriam]

Sure, menagerie! One of the pieces, which I haven't seen yet, is apparently like a small cylindrical tube that the fish can swim through. The quartz piece I have now isn't that exciting, but I'm sure my father-in-law can come up with some pretty cool stuff later.

 

[Menagerie]

One of the pieces, which I haven't seen yet, is apparently like a small cylindrical tube that the fish can swim through.

That sounds great!!

 

[nashbog]

Heres my Tank with quartz rocks

Only my first attempt at a tank, but havin fun decorating!! well guess i got two of the same photo!!!

 

[xray]

Hydrochloric acid is the usual test. I'm pretty sure there is another one commonly used, but I'm unsure of what type it is.

I think I read that muratic acid is the other

 

[deli_conker]

I think I read that muratic acid is the other

That sounds pretty familiar to me. I'm just curious as to where I could find them locally...

 

[smilla4]

Why is granite bad? I was under the impression that it was crystalized (or rather cooled off?) lava... or would that be magma, since it's underground...

Whereas marble is metamorphosed limestone, I think.

I enjoyed my geology class ten years ago, wish I could remember it well.

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Nice photo.