Rocks from the beach

[my_fallen_angel]

I got some rocks from the beach today. Im wondering how should i go about washing them to put into my tropical fish tank?
I dont want to over does the fish on salt!
I have them soaking in fresh water at the moment.
What else should i do?

Thanks

Kellie

 

[Eelzor]

If you have salt sensitive species like cories in the tank of yours then better not to put the rocks in altogether because even when fully cleansed it still have the essences in the rock that simply cannot be removed. You said your tank is a tropical fish tank. Tropical marine or freshwater? I wouldn't put it in freshwater, marine, brackish or anything altogether because it may introduce disease.

 

[my_fallen_angel]

freshwater.
I have the fish in my signature.

 

[Eelzor]

Well, like I already said.

 

[AquaNut]

Hi doll.....

It's DEFINITELY okay to put rocks from the beach in your freshwater tank. I do it all the time. Bring them home. Inspect them for any visible hitchhikers - snails, barnacles, seaweed etc. Mine are always pretty clean looking, but yours might not be. Then rinse them under some tap water for a minute or two, and put them in a large pot of water and boil them on your stove. I usually boil mine for an hour, but I'm sure that's total overkill. Make sure you test the rocks for solubility before adding them to your tank; to do this, pour a bit of white vinegar on the rock and watch to see if there is any fizzing. If the rock fizzes, do not add it to your tank; it is soluble and can leach minerals into your water. If there is no fizzing, simply rinse the rocks off and they're ready for life in your aquarium.

 

[rsz]

i second what aquanut said. i do it all the time

 

[snotirl]

U want to know how to clean them, u have to boil them 3 or 4 times!

 

[Inchworm]

I boil my rocks, but I understand that baking them in the oven is also an option.

 

[yhbae]

Every single stone/rocks I have in my tanks are from beach. So far so good. I boiled all of them, perhaps for around 20 - 30 mins...

 

[AquaNut]

Baking is also an option, but I find they come out 'cleaner' if I boil them. Snotirl - I believe you're thinking of wood, which is much more porous and requires far more diligent cleaning/boiling/baking/soaking. Rocks basically just need to be sterilized.

 

[Aulonochromis]

I never boil my rocks. I just pick clean dry rocks with no moss or fink on them, I get them from the beach but I dont get the ones that get water on them, I go back from the shore a ways. I scrub them with hot tap water and plop them in. I am not worried about parasites or diseases because the bugs that make fish sick live in water, and I get rocks that are bone dry. I only rinse to remove sediment and any residue that may be on there. I never worry about diseases, only chemical contamination from pollution or fumes. I don't see the point of boiling for hours, seems like a waste of time.

 

[Eelzor]

Well, I just can't take that chance with my strapped bills!

 

[kev]

I boiled mine 3 times. but I thinks its better to be cautious. You may as well put as much effort into cleaning them as possible. If that means baking boiling and scrubbing then do it. It will be more work and greif if you just through them in and then watch you fish getting ill and dieing.

I don't think its worth the risk of not at least boiling them a few times and after they have boiled once and drained it doesn't take long boil again if you fill it back up with boiled kettle water.

better safe than sorry!!

 

[my_fallen_angel]

thankyou so much!!!
I've started boiling them today.
My mum got a new stove yesterday and the first thing 'cooked' on it were rocks
Thanks again

Kellie

 

[BlueAngel]

I wouldn't do the whole baking thing.... some rocks react to heat in different ways. Wouldn't want your oven to explode now would you? Boiling is fine tho. Me I'd rather be safe than sorry