Using rocks from outside in an aquarium

[George2]

Hi,

Are there any issues with using rocks from outside in a freshwater aquarium? It seems like alot of money to pay for some rocks at a store when there are all kinds of rocks outside for free.  :)

I have attached a picture of some rocks to this post and am wondering if I can use them in my aquarium. If so, do I need to boil them first?


Thanks!
George

[Stussi613]

Lots of info on ovas can be found using the search function...

http://ovas.ca/forum/index.php?topic=42864.0

[exv152]

One thing is sanitizing the rock by bleaching or boiling it, but you really want to know if it will raise your pH, KH and GH. If you put tap water in a bucket, measure the pH/KH/GH, then add the rocks, and measure again after 48 hours and you notice a huge difference then you'll get a good idea if the rocks are leaching calcium, magnesium etc. For african cichlids it's not as big a deal, but it's not ideal for softer water conditions.

[Mike L]

 You can also go to Canlok and pick what you want for VERY cheap. They have several different rock types to choose from. There is an older lady there that knows the yard like the back of her hand, what the rock is and even where it came from.
mike

[fischkopp]

NEVER boil rocks! Any moisture or gas trapped inside can cause them to explode on you. You are putting yourself at serious risk doing it.

Bleach works fine for disinfection.

Other issues of with rocks found in the wild could be that they may be made of a certain mineral miox that can leach back into the water. Raising hardness is harmless, but certain salts may become hazardous for fish. In mosty cases you are probably fine, just be aware that some rock may not be good. I would say collecting them on the shore of a river/lake is the safest.

[Mike L]

 That is good advice. I have used rock for over 25 years because I keep cichlids. I have collected from all over the region and have simply scrubbed with oxygen bleach as it is harmless. Over the past years as mentioned I buy limestone from Canlok .25 cents a pound  as I want the buffering that it gives. It might help to know what you are using it for.
Mike

[Aquaviewer]

Much of Ottawa sits on limestone, shale or clay sediments so many of the rock in and around the city will buffer water.  You can do the bucket test to see if pH changes  (know the water parameters before you add the rock) or you can test if rock is reactive with vinegar.  I have always used locally collected rock or rock from Cohen and Cohen .   I always scrub clean if with vinegar and water or a mild bleach solution making sure it is well rinsed before use.  I also soak for a couple of days after to see if any change occurs in the water.  Here I'm looking to see if the rock contains iron and will turn water rust colour.  Otherwise into the tank it goes.  I've been doing this for twenty years.

Basically I pick limestone for any African tank I have set up or granite based rocks (the nice round boulders the last glaciation left us) for other tanks. Avoid anything that is shale or generally brakes apart easily – not only is the origin sedimentary and contains any number of reactive elements within the layers that could leach out.

As Fishcop said - NEVER BOIL OR HEAT ROCKS IS THE OVEN AS THEY CAN EXPLODE IF THEY CONTAIN EVEN TRACEAMOUNTS OF WATER.

[George2]

One thing is sanitizing the rock by bleaching or boiling it, but you really want to know if it will raise your pH, KH and GH. If you put tap water in a bucket, measure the pH/KH/GH, then add the rocks, and measure again after 48 hours and you notice a huge difference then you'll get a good idea if the rocks are leaching calcium, magnesium etc. For african cichlids it's not as big a deal, but it's not ideal for softer water conditions.

I never thought of doing that. I'll give that a try.

[George2]

Much of Ottawa sits on limestone, shale or clay sediments so many of the rock in and around the city will buffer water.  You can do the bucket test to see if pH changes  (know the water parameters before you add the rock) or you can test if rock is reactive with vinegar.  I have always used locally collected rock or rock from Cohen and Cohen .   I always scrub clean if with vinegar and water or a mild bleach solution making sure it is well rinsed before use.  I also soak for a couple of days after to see if any change occurs in the water.  Here I'm looking to see if the rock contains iron and will turn water rust colour.  Otherwise into the tank it goes.  I've been doing this for twenty years.

Basically I pick limestone for any African tank I have set up or granite based rocks (the nice round boulders the last glaciation left us) for other tanks. Avoid anything that is shale or generally brakes apart easily – not only is the origin sedimentary and contains any number of reactive elements within the layers that could leach out.

As Fishcop said - NEVER BOIL OR HEAT ROCKS IS THE OVEN AS THEY CAN EXPLODE IF THEY CONTAIN EVEN TRACEAMOUNTS OF WATER.

How do you verify if the the rock reacts with vinegar? I would never have guessed that a rock can explode if there is water in it. That sounds dangerous.

[Mike L]

 What are the fish species you will be keeping. Vinegar is acidic so of you put it on the rock it will foam if it is a alkaline composition. This would be desirable if you are keeping African cichlids however if you are keeping tetras, gourami's, etc it would not.
Mike

[bitterman]

I will caution you if you are getting stones from the side of the road or near farmer fields they are often sprayed with pesticides/herbicides and this would have a negative effect on your tank.

Regards,
   Bruce