Is it safe to use Onyx stone in fish tank?

[Barry Tetra]

So apparently my neighbor works at jewelry store and gave all of this unused Onyx stone to me, is this safe for fish and bottom dwellers?

@Colin_T @AdoraBelle Dearheart @PheonixKingZ

 

[Essjay]

If it's true onyx it is safe chemically as it's just silicon dioxide, the same as sand. But the name onyx is commonly used for a number of different minerals, some of which may not be safe. Does the jewellery store worker know if it is true onyx or some other mineral?

If it is true onyx, you just need to make sure the pieces are smooth especially with bottom dwellers - sharp edges could hurt them.

 

[Barry Tetra]

If it's true onyx it is safe chemically as it's just silicon dioxide, the same as sand. But the name onyx is commonly used for a number of different minerals, some of which may not be safe. Does the jewellery store worker know if it is true onyx or some other mineral?

If it is true onyx, you just need to make sure the pieces are smooth especially with bottom dwellers - sharp edges could hurt them.

Just called the owner, they said it’s a genuine onyx.

Is it the same as Seachem onyx though?

 

[Shiverz]

Just called the owner, they said it’s a genuine onyx.

Is it the same as Seachem onyx though?

Apparently the Onyx is natural from the source, but it looks quite dull in comparison to the Onyx I've seen (and the one in your picture), the seachem stuff looks like slate, and looks way to sharp to have in a tank.

 

[Barry Tetra]

Apparently the Onyx is natural from the source, but it looks quite dull in comparison to the Onyx I've seen (and the one in your picture), the seachem stuff looks like slate, and looks way to sharp to have in a tank.

Is it valuable though?
I might sell it to other jewelry store to see if they buy it

 

[Shiverz]

Is it valuable though?
I might sell it to other jewelry store to see if they buy it

Lmfao, theres no harm in trying! let me know how it goes, I could do the same here. I've got a table just begging for a 3 foot tank to be sat on it.

 

[Barry Tetra]

Is there anyway to clean it though can I use bleach or soap?

 

[Barry Tetra]

@Colin_T

 

[Colin_T]

I have no idea what onyx stone is

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I'm pretty sure seachem onyx is not real onyx stone. According to seachem's website, it is "carbonate rich sand." I think the name refers to the color, not the composition.

As for cleaning it, a stiff brush and water should be all you need. No amount of cleaning will polish it into a gem stone. For that, you'd need a rock tumbler. I have no idea about selling it, but if your friend the jewelry-store worker gave it to you, it probably isn't gem-quality rock.

 

[kwi]

It's basically silica so just washing the dust off should do.
There is a softer carbonate stone also called onyx so if your KH shifts you'll know why.