Is flagstone safe for a tank?

[sobersteve323]

I bought some flagstone from Home Depot today (the kind you use for a pathway). Would this be safe to use in my tank after scrubbing/boiling it?

 

[sobersteve323]

I just looked up the flagstone on Home Depot's website. It says that it's a "manufactured concrete flagstone." I guess instead of asking if flagstone is safe, is this concrete safe? lol

Here's the link to Home Depot: Vermont Pewter Flagstone Stepping Stone - SST 211 at The Home Depot

 

[jcolon]

Concrete's really mostly cement with aggregate ... usually sand.
The main thing is ... does it have any chemicals in it to prevent fading? If so ... is it something you'd want in the tank? I'd be a bit concerned about it ... better to just go with slate .. which is what the flagstone looks like anyway.

 

[sobersteve323]

i don't think there's anything to prevent fading since it's the same color through the entire piece

 

[Sparky74]

I believe concrete has a very high PH and will raise the PH of the water. I'm not sure about flagstone

I know the DEP will not allow concrete to be used to secure the stream bed near my buddies place. They cited concrete/PH increase as the reason. Whether that is the true reason, I'm not sure, but the research we have done supports their claim to a degree.

 

[sobersteve323]

the tank the flagstone is going into only has 1 goldie and soon to be some snails. would regular water changes keep the PH in check so it's safe for them?

 

[sobersteve323]

Did the vinegar test and no fizzing after the initial splash onto the slab so into the tank they go