Rocks

[JustinJay1996]

I found some rocks out in a creek. I’ve tested it with muriatic acid. When I got home I spent a hour or two scrubbing the rocks than I let it soaked in hot water and bleach. I than used hot water and prime.

my question is, is the green stuff on rocks algae or minerals and is it safe to put in my aquarium? I don’t want to kill off my fish.

 

[twentyleagues]

What happened with the acid? I'd think algae would have been killed off by the bleach but could still be stained. A longer soak in a higher concentration of bleach solution should do the trick. Let it air dry for at least 24 hrs after a good freshwater rinse and the chlorine will off gas enough to be fish safe again.

 

[JustinJay1996]

Thank you, I will soak them with more bleach solution when I get home.

 

[FJB]

+1 on what JustinJay1996 said.
But the question remains- What was the result of the acid test? If any bubbling occurred, it is a carbonate-type rock and it would dissolve some in pH of 7 or below. That information, together with what kind of fish/aquarium you want to have, will dictate whether the rock is desirable for your purpose. For instance, if it bubbled and if you were planning on using it in an mbuna tank, it would be perfect. If on a SAmerican soft water tank... not good.
The algae.... harmless and can be ignored. You can soak in bleach and remove, or not bother, no difference.

 

[JustinJay1996]

I

+1 on what JustinJay1996 said.
But the question remains- What was the result of the acid test? If any bubbling occurred, it is a carbonate-type rock and it would dissolve some in pH of 7 or below. That information, together with what kind of fish/aquarium you want to have, will dictate whether the rock is desirable for your purpose. For instance, if it bubbled and if you were planning on using it in an mbuna tank, it would be perfect. If on a SAmerican soft water tank... not good.
The algae.... harmless and can be ignored. You can soak in bleach and remove, or not bother, no difference.

I have african cichlids. It didn’t bubble at all with the acid test.

 

[Akvasik]

nice