Rusty Rocks

[Ogertron3000]

Theres a huge pile of unusual rocks in a garden centre , i only walked past so didnt examinee them closely but they are a light grey type rock with big rusty streaks over them. I guess the rust is from high iron or metal content. Obviously my first thought is they would make a cool display in my tank as they look very striking but would the high metal content be harmful to fish?

 

[Hybridfish7]

Likely, I try to stay away from rocks with orange streaks in them, or metallic shiny bits. The latter probably isn't as harmful, but I'd rather avoid the risk if possible.

 

[tlindsey]

Ogertron3000, post: 8476455, member: 161300"]
Theres a huge pile of unusual rocks in a garden centre , i only walked past so didnt examinee them closely but they are a light grey type rock with big rusty streaks over them. I guess the rust is from high iron or metal content. Obviously my first thought is they would make a cool display in my tank as they look very striking but would the high metal content be harmful to fish?
[/QUOTE]
Read post #7 until someone chimes in.https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/rocks-containing-heavy-metals.82529/post-1021799

 

[Ogertron3000]

Thanks guys, they are very heavilly streaked in dark brown rust. They look cool but its an old mining town so maybe i shouldnt take the risk.
A bit annoying as i was already planning my new scape and truimphant return to TOTM!
Just as an experiment i might grab one and put it in a bucket of water for a while and see what happens

 

[esoxlucius]

I've never used this stuff but I believe this, and products like it, are regularly used by hobbyists. If you like those rocks that much, then this could be your answer. Krylon is another brand that comes to mind. There will be one that is suitable for your purpose somewhere.

 

[jjohnwm]

Even rocks that are placed into an aquarium with the express purpose of buffering or maintaining alkalinity barely work; they need to be crushed up fine to increase the surface area, and even then they don't do all that much, and lose their effectiveness over time. It takes an extended period of time and a considerable quantity of rock to really do much of anything to your aquarium water; following any sort of reasonable water change schedule will remove any worry.

Water is, IMHO, the cheapest consumable we use in our hobby. Change it a lot; doing so not only helps your fish but also your peace of mind. Don't worry about rocks; if you like 'em...use 'em.

 

[Ogertron3000]

I've never used this stuff but I believe this, and products like it, are regularly used by hobbyists. If you like those rocks that much, then this could be your answer. Krylon is another brand that comes to mind. There will be one that is suitable for your purpose somewhere.

View attachment 1513567

Thats interesting, never knew there was such a thing.

Even rocks that are placed into an aquarium with the express purpose of buffering or maintaining alkalinity barely work; they need to be crushed up fine to increase the surface area, and even then they don't do all that much, and lose their effectiveness over time. It takes an extended period of time and a considerable quantity of rock to really do much of anything to your aquarium water; following any sort of reasonable water change schedule will remove any worry.

Water is, IMHO, the cheapest consumable we use in our hobby. Change it a lot; doing so not only helps your fish but also your peace of mind. Don't worry about rocks; if you like 'em...use 'em.

I was thinking something along the same lines but as its just a 3 foot tank and i wanted to use a lot of the rock i thought the smaller water volume would be more easily affected if there was anything harmful in the rock.