What Type Of Rocks Will Not Affect Hardness

[Duzzy]

Hi there,

I was wondering what type/sort of rocks do not affect water hardness. What should I look for?

To test them can I use hydrochloric acid (spirits of salts we call it here) or at least my dad does

Regards darren

 

[Fatty]

Hi there,

I was wondering what type/sort of rocks do not affect water hardness. What should I look for?

To test them can I use hydrochloric acid (spirits of salts we call it here) or at least my dad does

Regards darren

Sounds like a good way to test them to me, or just use vinegar, if there's no foaming or small bubbles after a couple of minutes I'd say the possibility of leaching stuff into the water will be minimum.

 

[Tobigara]

i heard that you can pour some straight vinegar on them to test. if they bubble and hiss they're no good. it they don't you're ok.

i have no idea if that's true...i haven't tested it but neither have i heard otherwise.

 

[geo7x]

Basically rocks that contain metals or calcium are unsafe. Vinegar is the best way to test this.

 

[Tobigara]

and there you have it. and i learned something too

 

[Duzzy]

And I had fizzing lol but I also heard that vinegar can be to weak an acid so clr (that cleaning thing) or hydrochloric acid is a better choice

Regards Darren

 

[rocknurworld2006]

granite wont affect conditions

Basically rocks that contain metals or calcium are unsafe. Vinegar is the best way to test this.

calcium is in tuffa rock . so would u class this as unsafe???

as this can be used in aquariums for some fish!

 

[Duzzy]

I think some cichlids could cope maybe rift cichclids don't quote me on that i am no expert

 

[Honeythorn]

Granite is a good rock to use as it's pretty inert. It's black and white speckled appearance would look fantastic on a dark or black substrate.

Slate is good, also inert, make sure it really is slate though and not the fake stuff often made for driveways. A paving or builders yard should stock good slate. You can glue it together with aquarium sealant in layers ( which the way it forms naturally if you look at it's structure ) to make caves ( good for cichlids ) and decorative formations for the tank. Make sure you file or break off any sharp edges though, or fish may damage themselves.

You can also buy large bags of smooth river stones/pebbles from garden centres, builders yards and the like, which are usually used in water features. But if you test them with vinegar ect, ( they are usually safe and inert ) they can be placed around the tank in clusters, or again, glued together with aquarium sealant.



I have been wondering as to wether natural sandstone can be used in domestic tanks. It is found in rivers and streams everywhere, especially in areas where stone banks overhang the water. If I were to really test, scrub and boil a found piece, I reckon it should be fine. Any thoughts?

 

[Duzzy]

I dont know about sandstone but I have a heap of rocks here that I am going to test with clr (read it on another site) it is hydrochloric acid and soap so it bubble well and see how I go if not I will just stick to driftwood and plants

Regards Darren

 

[geo7x]

calcium is in tuffa rock . so would u class this as unsafe???

as this can be used in aquariums for some fish!

Yes it is unsafe for aquarium use unless it is in an african cichlid tank or marine. It is formed from magnesium sulfate which will harden the water.

So yes it can be used for some fish but the title of this thread is "What type of rocks will not affect hardness."