they are outside near my pond area.. thy appear to be slate, would they be okay to use in tank and if so recdomended cleaning suggestions before putting them in??
Is it okay to use these rocks?
- Thread starter Bicherman
- Start date
Test them with some vinegar if it bubbles or foams then the rocks are a carbonate base and could raise you hardness and Ph, if not then I would just scrub them clean and blast with a hose. You could also scaled them in some boiling water or soak in a mild bleach and water solution to kill any critters you don't want in your tank.
Hello; No idea about the rocks being suitable as far as their chemistry, but do wish to pass on a caution. I am going to assume the tank has a glass bottom. I have read of the bottom glass being shattered by rocks.
One fellow had some rock stacked and one fell from it's position. Shattered the bottom of the tank and flooded the fish room.
If the tank is acrylic I am not sure how they hold up.
If a glass tank I would consider placing a sheet of plastic/acrylic on the bottom, then the gravel/sand and then the rocks.
I would also consider bonding the rocks together with silicone. Of course the rock will have to be clean and dry. I have used silicone to hold slate in place before.
Good luck
One fellow had some rock stacked and one fell from it's position. Shattered the bottom of the tank and flooded the fish room.
If the tank is acrylic I am not sure how they hold up.
If a glass tank I would consider placing a sheet of plastic/acrylic on the bottom, then the gravel/sand and then the rocks.
I would also consider bonding the rocks together with silicone. Of course the rock will have to be clean and dry. I have used silicone to hold slate in place before.
Good luck
+1 skjl47
To decorate your tank with large rocks best to do is with dry or new tank, position them to your liking then take picture, take them out then silicone them in place.
To decorate your tank with large rocks best to do is with dry or new tank, position them to your liking then take picture, take them out then silicone them in place.
I did the vinegar test and they did not fizz or bubble or anything... so should be good to go after cleaning and right safety precautions in the tank?
Yep. I use rocks I find and ones from my rock collection I already have instead of paying for them. Never had an issue. Slate is also perfect as a breeding place for egg layers.
When you sanitize them make sure you don't boil them in a pot, trapped moisture can make them explode. I just pour the boiling water on them and scrub them with an old toothbrush to get any dirt chunks off.
When you sanitize them make sure you don't boil them in a pot, trapped moisture can make them explode. I just pour the boiling water on them and scrub them with an old toothbrush to get any dirt chunks off.