Are all rocks fish safe?

[icefreeze57]

If I go outside to my yard and pick up some rocks are they good to go?

Can I wash them with warm water and put them in? (Or build some DIY caves with them) or do I actually need to go get rocks from a store?

 

[Mount_Prion]

Not *all* rocks are fish safe but probably most you're going to find lying around are. In NJ you should be able to find plenty of rocks that won't harm fish. Just find rocks you can identify. Slate and quartz are common and fine, for example.

And yeah, just rinse them off and rub any dirt/lichen/moss off of them. I would soak them a while just to be safe, too.

 

[Chub_by]

Drop a bit of vinegar on the rock. if it sizzles, don't use it!
If not, soak for 24 hours, wash thoroughly and you're fine

 

[icefreeze57]

thanks

 

[muskieboy]

Remember some rocks will change your water parameters.
ex. limestone will raise ph

 

[eklikewhoa]

Drop a bit of vinegar on the rock. if it sizzles, don't use it!
If not, soak for 24 hours, wash thoroughly and you're fine

The vinegar test is to see if the rock is calcite. if it fizzles then it will harden your water params so with that being said it is fine to use in a aquarium that would house fish from hard water locale.

 

[anarekist]

like holey rock.