Preping Found Rocks For Tank?

[Hero]

I went down to the brackish river by my hosue and got some rocks for my 20gl. Should all i do it boild them before placing them into the tank?

 

[dthoffsett]

If the rocks are small enough, boil them. If they are larger, you can soak them in a bucket of 1part bleach to 20 parts water for a couple of days. The rinse them really, really well, and just to be on the safe side, when you add them to your tank, add in a double-dose of dechlorinator.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

add in a double-dose of dechlorinator.

How would that help?

 

[raptorrex]

add in a double-dose of dechlorinator.

How would that help?

not sure. but chlorine will help any iron, oxidise making it much more easy to id if it is in your rock. an air stone under the rock will have much the same effect.

 

[LakeyGal]

I have heard that you should test rocks with vinegar and if they fizz you shouldn't use them, not sure on the science tho..?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

I have heard that you should test rocks with vinegar and if they fizz you shouldn't use them, not sure on the science tho..?

Vinegar is acidic, and if the rock fizzes that means it is a base, and will raise the ph of the water.

Sort of like vinegar and baking soda.

 

[Hero]

I have heard that you should test rocks with vinegar and if they fizz you shouldn't use them, not sure on the science tho..?

Vinegar is acidic, and if the rock fizzes that means it is a base, and will raise the ph of the water.

Sort of like vinegar and baking soda.

Awesome, thanks for the tips and tricks guys! I have decided to just buy some smooth river rock instead. Would Home Depot be a good place to find it?

 

[dthoffsett]

add in a double-dose of dechlorinator.

How would that help?

Bleach is basically super-concentrated chlorine, so adding a double-dose of de-chlorinator would neutralize anything you missed when rinsing.

I have heard that you should test rocks with vinegar and if they fizz you shouldn't use them, not sure on the science tho..?

Vinegar is acidic, and if the rock fizzes that means it is a base, and will raise the ph of the water.

Sort of like vinegar and baking soda.

Yup, however, if you are keeping fish that prefer a high ph (such as african cichlids), then the "fizz test" doesn't apply.


You should be able to find rocks at Home Depot, or look in the phone book for landscaping companies, sometimes you can get bulk rock really cheap from them.

You'll still want to clean any rock you buy from those places, though I personally just scrub the rock with plain water, I haven't had any problems yet.

 

[Hero]

add in a double-dose of dechlorinator.

How would that help?

Bleach is basically super-concentrated chlorine, so adding a double-dose of de-chlorinator would neutralize anything you missed when rinsing.

I have heard that you should test rocks with vinegar and if they fizz you shouldn't use them, not sure on the science tho..?

Vinegar is acidic, and if the rock fizzes that means it is a base, and will raise the ph of the water.

Sort of like vinegar and baking soda.

Yup, however, if you are keeping fish that prefer a high ph (such as african cichlids), then the "fizz test" doesn't apply.


You should be able to find rocks at Home Depot, or look in the phone book for landscaping companies, sometimes you can get bulk rock really cheap from them.

You'll still want to clean any rock you buy from those places, though I personally just scrub the rock with plain water, I haven't had any problems yet.

Awesome thansk!!!

 

[Reeses22]

hey,

All the rocks in my tanks are found from either my yard or Lake Erie, NY and all i do is scrub them really good with hot water and i've never had a problem either.


cArLy

 

[Hero]

hey,

All the rocks in my tanks are found from either my yard or Lake Erie, NY and all i do is scrub them really good with hot water and i've never had a problem either.


cArLy

got any pics?