Rocks for my aquarium

[violatorjf]

I was in the back yard earlier today and saw some attractive rocks back by a very small runoff stream, so I took them and cleaned them off. I think I remembered reading that you should place your rocks in a liquid bleach solution for awhile, is this right? Also, I remember reading before that certain rocks can have an effect on ph levels within the tank. I really don't know that types of rocks I have, if anyone could tell me by seeing them, I can easily take some pictures and post them. I just don't want to put some rocks in my tank that will kill my fish. Thanks for any help,

John

 

[Ramirezi]

rocks can affect your ph. i was told to avoid red rocks, as they might have iron. i think there's a way to test a rock if it's ok to put in a tank. i believe you pour white vinegar on it. if it fizzes than the rock may affect your ph.
and you may want to boil the rock in dechlorinated water a few times to kill any harmful bacteria or anything else that may be living on the rock that you dont want in your tank. who knows what pollutants may be in that stream....
i've only bought rocks from my lfs, as they are guaranteed to be ok for fish tanks. no harmful metals or bacteria. they've already been cleaned and tested. i just rinse them off and sometimes boil them just to be safe.

 

[violatorjf]

Thanks, that sounds like a smart move. I think I'll let them sit in the bleach water overnight, then I can boil them a couple times. I plan on placing them in a sort of 'test tank' first, I'll buy some feeder comets or something of the sort, and put them in with the rocks for a few weeks. I imagine if a few weeks go by and a tiny comet doesn't die from the rocks, then my large Oscar will be able to handle it...not to mention that water changes should help.

 

[zazz]

If you are going the test tank route Id suggest you test the water over time, ph and hardness levels. Because while pollutants might kill off feeders right away I suppose, these other things would take longer to show up.
plenty of other reasons for feeder fish to die quickly too, so, I dunno how good a test you'd have anyway...
I bet posting a picture would get you more info too.
just my thoughts
~ zazz

 

[Watcher74]

Iron is not posionous to fish. Iron is desired by plants. Iron does not cause Algae. So rocks with iron in them are fine.

 

[windeindoiel]

You should post a pic, someone will probably be able to ID it. How big is your tank? And what is the pH now? And what size is the rock? It might not make that big of a difference to your pH if the rock is relatively small to the size of your aquarium. Plus putting the rock in would probably change the pH slowly, so it might not hurt the fish too much.

I'd more be concerned about what could be on the rock. Also some people have had problems with bleach, make sure you get rid of all the bleach before putting the rock with your fish.

I sometimes use rocks I find in the tank and they can make a nice addition. Pet stores don't exactly have a wide variety of types of rock. Usually I let the rock sit in the sun for a week or two, then I boil it and let it dry. So far I haven't had problems, but that's only my experience.