Polished stones from craft stores

[BettaMomma]

I was at Michael's craft store last night picking up some plastic canvas for my new boys coming today, and I wandered over to the marbles section - the marbles you put in vases, etc. I found several types of polished river rocks - they same exact kind they have at WalMart except these are put out by a different company than the ones at WalMart.

I was looking them over good, trying to decide if I wanted to have natural rocks or colored marbles or what. When I looked on the packaging of the polished river stones, it said in big letters WARNING - DO NOT USE IN AQUARIUMS.

I don't think the ones at WalMart say that even though they're the exact same thing...
Just thought I'd share that.

 

[newfishies]

WOW!! i have those is a few of my tanks! i've had them for like 6-8 months, and never noticed a real problem. i did boil them first...

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah - I think I have a few in various tanks from way back when that I got too. And they've never caused any problems. I'm not sure why they say not to put them in...?

 

[Bettabelieveit]

that is very interesting, maybe they just think their rocks are too good for fish to poo on? or maybe they put some kind of different coating on it that will possible leak into the water and be toxic to the fish, if not properly cleaned before hand.

 

[abstract]

well who knows really, besides them...but i'm sure there is a very logical solution..

for instance i bought a reptile decoration once that said do not use in aquariums....emailed the company and they admitted to adding a special antimicrobial agent to inhibit bacterial growth...so who knows?

 

[OohFeeshy]

LOL, and I was about to ask the same question . I got some yesterday, no warning on them. I'll boil them, but I might leave it for now until the guy in the tank they were intended for has got over his finrot (I only noticed when I moved him today).

 

[Elise]

I have used those before. I boiled them and everything was fine. No problems. I ended up switching them with gravel because Ula liked to wedge himself under them and got stuck one day. Mine were the kind from Wal-Mart, but they didn't say not to use in aquariums....

 

[my_fallen_angel]

the have more than likely been polished with something that can harm fish.
something to make them really shiny.

i wouldnt take the risk even after boiling them.
my fish mean to much to me

 

[Booboo puppy]

I just bought some from WM yesterday too--to put in with George...