Where to get slate or other flat type of rocks
- Thread starter James0816
- Start date
^yep. My lfs sells slate though so ive never looked, garden places, maybe home depot should have some.
ok....just stopped by meadows farm and was able to pick up a few pieces at no cost. i got other pieces not just slate. i think there might be some sandstone or someother kind of rock too.
Is there any type i can not use for an aquarium? how do you prep it up prior to putting it in the tank?
Is there any type i can not use for an aquarium? how do you prep it up prior to putting it in the tank?
Some rocks can effect your KH. There are two ways to tell. Either drip some acid (vinegar) on them and see if you get a reaction. The other way is to soak them in water and test the parameters to see if there is a change over time.
If you collect the rocks give them a good scrubbing and soak them in a bleach solution to kill any nasties. Then rinse well and you should be good to go.
If you collect the rocks give them a good scrubbing and soak them in a bleach solution to kill any nasties. Then rinse well and you should be good to go.
One thing I forgot to mention was that these rocks came from a rock pile sitting in the very back of the lot. It's where they had some broken pallets. Probably been sitting there for quite awhile. I know I got a couple of pieces of slate. The others, I'm pretty sure are sandstone but now starting to second guess to think they might as well be limestone. I'm leaning toward sandstone as it looks like the very same rock (color and all) of my walkway. If sandstone...will using bleach soak into these rocks as they are fairly porous right?
I was thinking of boiling them, then light scrubbing with a soft brissled brass brush then boiling again. At what point should I use the vinegar test? After I "think" I have them all cleaned up?
I was thinking of boiling them, then light scrubbing with a soft brissled brass brush then boiling again. At what point should I use the vinegar test? After I "think" I have them all cleaned up?
I had to resort to buying slate from my LFS for 1.85/lb. none of the garden centers here had any and niether did home depot or lowes. as far as rocks you can't put in a tank, any sort of rock that is easily eroded by water (i.e. limestone) shouldnt go into the tank. Usually most rocks are ok unless you live in the desert or something
I purchase a $20 bucket of "assorted rocks" from Meadow Farms near South Riding. It's enough for about five tanks. Anyway, most of it seemed like common field stone. I did the usual tests and the rock seemed inert. I scrubbed the rocks and boiled the ones that made it into the tank. So far all seems to be working well. I purchased a rock chisle from Lowes and the rock broke up well enough. Not exactly what I wanted but well enough. I still have all of the scrubbed rock leftovers. Can probably fill 4 more 75 gallon tanks.