can you put any kinda rock in the aquarium?

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vwilliams1475

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 20, 2011
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Rochester, NY
Can you put any kinda rock in the aquarium?
so I go to the store and rocks are defiantly not cheep. I live in the country and i have cool rocks all over the place but I dont know if i can use them or not. or how to tell if there safe to use

i know limestone is not safe b/c it raises your PH.
 
I assume river/creek rocks are fine. Whatever you get, make sure you clean it off well. If you are not sure, maybe test some water in a bucket, add the rock and check again in a couple days. I figure the main problem might be a change in PH.
 
I assume river/creek rocks are fine. Whatever you get, make sure you clean it off well. If you are not sure, maybe test some water in a bucket, add the rock and check again in a couple days. I figure the main problem might be a change in PH.
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the only way i know to check the rock for ph is with vinegar. any other ideas?
and i have already started the bucket thing

phillydog1958;4901385; said:
Be careful with rocks. Some do leach chemicals.
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what kind of rocks?
 
If you can't tell one rock type from another, your best bet is to look for rocks in creeks and at the beach. Smooth polished rocks are likely quartz and are safe to use in your tank. Be sure to avoid any water worn rock with dull loose patches as these may be ore rocks containing metals that may harm your fish. Also avoid rocks that appear to absorb water. These may be basalt which can cause tanks to go acidic and/or leech sulphur into the tank.
 
Oddball;4901398; said:
If you can't tell one rock type from another, your best bet is to look for rocks in creeks and at the beach. Smooth polished rocks are likely quartz and are safe to use in your tank. Be sure to avoid any water worn rock with dull loose patches as these may be ore rocks containing metals that may harm your fish. Also avoid rocks that appear to absorb water. These may be basalt which can cause tanks to go acidic and/or leech sulphur into the tank.
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+ 1 JUST WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY + YOU CAN CHECK YOUR WATER WITH A TEST KIT :D
 
Oddball;4901398; said:
If you can't tell one rock type from another, your best bet is to look for rocks in creeks and at the beach. Smooth polished rocks are likely quartz and are safe to use in your tank. Be sure to avoid any water worn rock with dull loose patches as these may be ore rocks containing metals that may harm your fish. Also avoid rocks that appear to absorb water. These may be basalt which can cause tanks to go acidic and/or leech sulphur into the tank.
Click to expand...
basalt which can cause tanks to go acidic and/or leech sulphur into the tank.
Click to expand...
in regards to this part wouldn't that cause your ph to drop? or wold it literally be poison to the fish?
 
Some rocks have lots of metals in them so be careful. And if you use one that youv'e 'found' make sure to boil it to kill anything that might be on there. ***I bought a bag of pretty rocks at the $1 store,-after they were in the tank for a few weeks I noticed some looked as though they were coming apart, cracks and llittle pieces all over the bottom of tank. I took them all out. While washing them off to see what was the problem,-I realize they just have pretty coating on them, that's flaking off, and the rocks are actually cement/plaster/something besides rocks! Guess I got what I bargained for. Lesson Learned!:irked:
 
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