What types of rock/crystal/gem should be avoided in aquascaping?

[FriedFlowerHornFillet]

Recently discovered a wholesale stone distributor. I can get petrified wood, semi precious stones, and quartz SUPER cheap...
I was wondering if there were any I should avoid- like rocks that disintegrate or leak toxic chemicals.

 

[Xia]

I've seen people use quartz in their tanks as media when it was still available as 3m color quartz. I'm thinking as long as I it's natural it shouldn't be leaking anything toxic unless it's man made. Maybe someone else who uses it will chime in


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[Oddball]

Stick with agates and quartz with no soft or loose pockets of associated minerals or ores. Slate is fine but shale is a risk. Ores (contains metals) should never be used. Ores can leech copper, lead, etc. Fuzzy looking pockets or rocks may contain asbestos, molybdenum, arsenic, etc. Shale may contain oil. Petrified woods are, for the most part, safe. However, some woods may contain sulphur or radioactive minerals depending on where the pieces were collected. Hopefully, your supplier knows his geology and can steer you to safe specimens for use in aquaria.

 

[Aw3s0m3]

^ our forums human encyclopedia right here


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[FriedFlowerHornFillet]

Awesome thanks!
I think I'm going to go with this rock called "Wonderstone" I believe its a Rhyolite.
I can get it for 44cents a pound.

 

[Oddball]

Rhyolite is fine. I recommend placing the stones in a bucket of water for a week then, test for salinity. Depending on how close the rhyolite was to base rock, there may be a chance the rhyolite contains small vugs (pockets) of hyolite (compact salt). The salt isn't dangerous but, may be unfavored by salt intolerant species.

 

[FriedFlowerHornFillet]

good to know- I was thinking of getting it crushed and tumbling it for gravel I might use some polished quartz to set it off and these little basalt columns they have

 

[Oddball]

OK. Just be aware that basalt is the result of volcanic activity and can effect your pH towards the acid range. Never break up basalt unless in water since some basalt may contain fibrous structures that may have negative effects akin to asbestos. Rhyolite takes on a nice shine and looks nice as pebbled in the substrate. Quartz definitely requires tumbling since small broken chunks can have razor-sharp edges.

 

[FriedFlowerHornFillet]

We just got an elephant statue carved from "yellow" calcite I believe. Would that be ok in my tank?

 

[Oddball]

There are many different types of calcite. Any safety issues arise from associated mineral inclusions in the calcite. Most calcites are safe in aquariums but, will raise the water's pH.