Adding rocks

[cadams]

I want to add soem rocks to my 20 gallon. Are any old garden rocks from Home Depot fine to use? Is there any type of rock that is better to use and any type that should be avoided? Is a good rinse in hot water enough to get them clean to put in the tank or should I do something else?

 

[TaffyFish]

It really depends where you get them from, I usually play safe and scrub them with a mild bleach solution then rinse thoroughly before adding them to a tank.

As for types of rock it kind of depends what kind of water and fish you're trying to keep. Calciferous rock is better if you want to buffer the pH up, but should be avoided if you want neutral or even slightly acidic water. Test with a couple of drops of vinegar - if it bubbles up it's calciferous. If nothing happens it'll be pretty inert.

 

[cadams]

I have Tiger Barbs so if anything I'd want to drop the pH a bit and not raise it. I was thinking granite or quartz since I THINK they are both inert and will not alter water chemistry since they would just be really big pieces of gravel. So it can't hurt to lightly bleach the rocks then?

 

[fishface]

i got my rocks from my lfs i bought 4 rinsed them under the tap then put them in a bucket of water to skoke them overnight then rinse again and put them in and getting some more for my 10 gallon and will do just the same

 

[HawkEye_Pierce]

Use vinegar to make sure there isn't limestone in the rocks...(if it bubbles there is lime)...then boil the rocks in water for about 5 minutes to kill any bacteria...landscaping rocks (ie. Home Depot) are fine...

 

[valdok]

It's recommended that you boil rocks for 15 minutes (this kills ALL live forms, while boiling for 5 minutes may only kill bacteria, not spores).

 

[Managuense]

Originally posted by cadams
I have Tiger Barbs so if anything I'd want to drop the pH a bit and not raise it.

rocks that contain calcite (such as limestone) would raise your ph if anything, not drop it.

however, i have not found that so-called "buffering" type substrates actually have much of an effect at all on water chemistry, particulary if your kh is relatively high to begin with.

i have used several types of limestone in my tanks with no noticable increase in ph or kh at all. i would go for it if the rocks fit your fancy.

i never use bleach on rocks that i use in tanks. if you ask most people what they are trying to kill the usual answer is "nasties" that may be present in the rocks. boiling them isnt a bad idea though..... i would be more worried about dangerous chemicals (such as you would find on rocks collected near a gas station or the highway) than any manner of little critters that might infest your tank.
M