Oyster Slate Caves

[Dancake]

Hi all.

First post but I have been keeping fish (water) for a while now. I am upgrading from my 125L tank to a 240L and want to add some Polka Dot Loaches. I am going to build my own caves from slate and have gotten my hands on a cheap box of oyster slate. Is this suitable for an aquarium or will it affect my water more than grey slate? I have searched for other topics on it but can only find grey slate caves.

Any advice much appreciated.

Dan

 

[chrisbassist]

If it's slate it should be fine. Regardless of colouring.

There are a couple of tests you can do to make sure though if you're worried.

Main one- put it in a tub of water, measure ph. A week or 2 later, measure ph. If there has been a major change it's not safe, if there hasn't, you're fine.

 

[§tudz]

the only concern I would have with molted slate is that those streaks in the rock are different compounds, such as iron and other substances that may leach into the water.

You can also drop table malt vinegar onto the slate in different places of the streaks, if it fizzes then dont use it.

I tend to buy a pack of slate floor tile and cut them into the desired sizes, as they are strong, flat and easy to work with.

 

[Dancake]

Thanks,

Vinegar test was negative. I now have a bucket in the living room with a piece of slate in it. (At least it doesn't need feeding)!