I have some pretty awesome looking rocks in my backyard that I wanted to use as decorations. What is the easiest way for me to clean these to use them and have them be safe? Also, I believe you only want to use inert rocks but is there a way to very these rocks are inert? Thanks.
Using rocks from the yard
- Thread starter nzafi
- Start date
http://geology.com/minerals/acid-test.shtml
This is one test you should use. I'm not sure of whether one should or how one should test for metals.
Sterilization can be done in a bucket with with water and bleach, while cleaning can be done with a scrub brush. I would avoid porous rocks and ones that have unusual colors or stains. Porous rocks might contain pesticide residue or have absorbed unwanted chemicals from being in contact with moist soil while unusual colors might be unwanted metals.
If the rocks when wet will stain cloth, that would be a bad sign imo.
You can cure them by soaking in a container of water prior to entering your aquarium. Change the water every couple days and look to see if it discolored/stinky. Try to stay away from real porous stones, they can create unwanted dead water(anaerobic) spots.