Adding River Rocks to an Established Aquarium

[Robin's Nest]

While shopping yesterday I purchased some river rocks. The packaging stated they were for aquarium, fountain, crafts, or candle accents. The labels stated one is tiger’s eye river rock and the other assorted river stones and river pebbles. Are they safe to add to my aquarium? If so, what prep should I do before adding them? I know to rinse them of dust and such but are other steps needed? I love the look of these but do not want to cause any harm to my tank.

 

[misterking]

Rinse them off, perhaps boil them in water for a bit (I wouldn't suggest adding bleach incase the rocks are particularly porous), they should be fine

 

[unwritten law]

just rinse it....

 

[Newman]

test them with vinegar if you feel like it too..

 

[Robin's Nest]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Newman, what did you mean by testing them with vinegar?

 

[Newman]

put few drops of vinegar on each rock and see if a reaction takes place. if it fizzes that means the rock is not inert and will raise your pH. you cannot use it then...

 

[Robin's Nest]

put few drops of vinegar on each rock and see if a reaction takes place. if it fizzes that means the rock is not inert and will raise your pH. you cannot use it then...

That is too neat. Can that same test be used on other questionable decorations for the aquarium or just rocks?

 

[Newman]

can be used on anything non-living

 

[Robin's Nest]

What a great problem solver.

Man oh man do I love this forum. } If I had a forum like this for all my other issues I would be a Happy Girl.

As always, thank you for the help.