Rock from local parks

[Meanskunk]

Is it safe to use rock that you find in local parks and water streams in aquarium fish tanks .....

Help please

 

[Andrew McFadden]

As long as clean them.

 

[Meanskunk]

Thanks...... does it matter what rock it is , I was goin to take it from a river stream / waterfall ?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Not really some will raise the ph some, but nothing big as long as you wash it off.

 

[butterfly_koi]

Thanks...... does it matter what rock it is , I was goin to take it from a river stream / waterfall ?

*Rocks to avoid*
°Limestone
°Dead Coral pieces or sand (unless you want to increase the GH of your water).
°Amethyst (it contains Manganese and unchelated iron)
°Geodes
°Gypsum
°Ironstone
°Nephrite
°Marble
°Jasper types.
°Sandstone - can contain Feldspar (possible metals)

*Rocks that are safe to use*
°Granite - entirely safe but can be very heavy so position carefully °Slate - edges can be sharp, ages well in aquariums
°Lava rock - do not roast or boil as they will break down. Contains chelated iron which is used to fertilise plants
°Quartz - can be sharp and does not age well in aquariums
°Onyx Pumice - not a real stone, actually glass, and may float due to being very porous - do not roast or boil!
°Petrified wood - use the acid test before putting in the aquarium

If you have a doubt about the rock pour some vinegar on it and wait to see if it bubbles. If it does don't use it, it will effect the levels in your tank

 

[Meanskunk]

Are these rocks safe for Fishtank aquarium. tipped Vinegar on then didn't see any bubbles help .......

 

[Autumnsky]

Possible issues are microscopic hitchhikers/eggs of undesirable creatures, scrub rocks no soap, you can use vinegar, baking soda, salt, in whatever combination you choose.
Rinse off several times to clean well.

I have a new green scrubby pad I only use for scrubbing my equipment, put in a marked bag for reuse later. (no added soaps / additives, obviously) New Dollar store scrub brush same thing, keep in a bag just for that sort of thing. Never touched cleaners/soap!

Make sure if you use your sink, counter top, faucet inside the house, they have no soap/cleaners/chemical residue on them.

I usually let my rocks lay out in the sun a few days turn over and leave it for a few more days, other people boil to kill stuff and others bake in a moderately low oven for how long and what temp I don't know, to get rid of unwanted things.

-have heard of the dishwasher too with no soap but mine has a compartment for rinse aid liquid so I wouldn't know for sure if I got out all the rinse aid from the compartment so I wouldn't use that method. lol

 

[Meanskunk]

Possible issues are microscopic hitchhikers/eggs of undesirable creatures, scrub rocks no soap, you can use vinegar, baking soda, salt, in whatever combination you choose.
Rinse off several times to clean well.

I have a new green scrubby pad I only use for scrubbing my equipment, put in a marked bag for reuse later. (no added soaps / additives, obviously) New Dollar store scrub brush same thing, keep in a bag just for that sort of thing. Never touched cleaners/soap!

Make sure if you use your sink, counter top, faucet inside the house, they have no soap/cleaners/chemical residue on them.

I usually let my rocks lay out in the sun a few days turn over and leave it for a few more days, other people boil to kill stuff and others bake in a moderately low oven for how long and what temp I don't know, to get rid of unwanted things.

-have heard of the dishwasher too with no soap but mine has a compartment for rinse aid liquid so I wouldn't know for sure if I got out all the rinse aid from the compartment so I wouldn't use that method. lol

Thank you very much

 

[Meanskunk]

Are these rocks safe for Fishtank aquarium. tipped Vinegar on then didn't see any bubbles help .......

Does anybody know what type of rock this is it ?

 

[butterfly_koi]

Looks to be some type of quartz, its safe to boil for about 5-10 minutes to clean it. Just a slow boil at around 180°