2 Good Reads regarding rocks & wood that is aquarium safe

[aussieman57]

I used to collect all my driftwood & rocks or get rocks from landscaping supply yards. I've always wondered why someone would pay 50 - 60 bucks for a couple of rocks. Enjoy.

14.10.Wood - Aquarium Science

All dead wood, dry or wet, that does not smell like sap is fine just as is in any aquarium. I just throw driftwood or wood from the woods around me into my aquariums and see what happens. Some wood will deteriorate rapidly and smell and must come out. Other wood will last for years.

aquariumscience.org

14.3. Rocks - Aquarium Science

Summary of Rock Data ALL rocks and stones you will find in your rock yard, yard, or the local stream are fine just as is (i.e. no boiling or bleach), including those that bubble with acids like vinegar. Shells and corals are also perfectly safe with no treatment as are almost all gemstones...

aquariumscience.org

 

[A201]

Very good read. I've kept Limestone & Geodes in my tanks for many years.
Never a problem. Now I know why. Lol.

 

[RD.]

I love a good social media bashing as much as the next person, but one section where I believe that the author is mistaken is:

Myth #8 Sharp Rocks can Cut the Fish
There are a few types of fresh glassy lava that have edges capable of cutting a person’s hands if the edges are pressed against the hands. These rare lava’s are only found in areas with fresh eruptions so won’t be found in the aquarium.

The edges of ALL other rocks are far too dull to cut through the skin of a fish. This includes the edges of crystals and the edges of lava rock used in aquariums. If the rock is too dull to cut your hand it will be too dull to cut a fish. And note that any “cutting” action requires two thing: a sharp edge and a force applied to the edge by an object like a fish. Most fish are too small to create enough force to cut themselves on even something like a knife blade put in the water.

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Fish can easily create enough force to injure themselves on sharp or rough objects, such as lava rock sold at ones LFS. Apparently this author forgot about fish eye balls. Years ago when keeping African cichlids in tanks with lava rock I would get the occasional eye ball injury from aggressive fish, chasing other fish. I switched out to smooth granite boulders, as typically found in the Rift lakes, and never had this issue again.

I didn't read all of it, no time this morning, but the author did make some solid points. I just think that he missed the mark on the sharp rock & injury theory of his.

 

[phreeflow]

Great info!

 

[A201]

Regarding my Geodes, the quartz crystal's are usually turned face down into the substrate as to avoid scrapes & abrasions on the fish.
The rocky side of Geodes have interesting textures & display a multitude of colors that give a unique terrestrial look to an aquascape.
The crystal side of geodes quickly gunk up & require constant cleaning.