What if I wash then real good first?
2006-08-27 15:06:23 · 13 answers · asked by ChrisJ 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Be very careful which rocks you use. Some of them can radically change the pH of your water. Get some vinegar and put a teaspoonfull on the surface of the rocks. If it fizzes, do not use them. If it does nothing, it will be OK to use after you boil it.
Put the rocks in a big pot and cover with water. Boil at a rolling boil for at least 15 minutes. Drain the water and let the rocks cool before putting them into your tank. If you don't boil them, you could bring in little critters or eggs of parasites that could harm your fish.
NEVER, EVER use soap on anything you are going to put into your aquarium. No detergents, no anti-bacterial soaps, nothing like that. People still do this kind of crap and then they wonder why their tanks have problems.
2006-08-27 15:41:08 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are recommended types of rocks in the links below. Also you do need to soak the rocks and make sure it is safe and clean for the tank.
I would suggest using no soaps or chemicals. All things I've read about aquariums suggest not to use non-aquarium safe products for the tank.
Here's a good article which might be worth a read
http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/termsandtables/f/outdoorrock.htm?nl=1
2006-08-28 03:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by n-i-c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disinfect the rocks with a mild solution of chlorox...about 1 tablespoon per quart. Clean and rinse well, leave out in sun for about a day...make sure there is no smell of chlorine. Rocks will be safe. Occasionally check out pH to keep at about 7.0 or so.
2006-08-27 18:10:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best thing to do is wash with hot water and a little bleach and wash really well again. Also either heat treat, like in the oven for a while, or freeze to get rid of anything you might have missed.
2006-08-27 15:24:05 · answer #4 · answered by Eddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once the rock is clean I don;t see why not! Soak it in Coke ( the soft drink) for a day, then rinse it well and it should be fine for the fish tank!
2006-08-27 15:09:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wait dont first boil water and add the rocks for about and hour let them cool then add it dont use chemicals for the pores will harbor the chemical infecting for worse killing your fish same goes or shells k
what ever you do dont use coke or chemicals they idiots k give me the 10 pts unless you wanna harm them coke has chemical that are lethal to some fish why take the chance
2006-08-27 15:12:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just don't let the wacko environmentalists out there catch you taking rocks from the river. They frown upon that sort of thing.
2006-08-27 15:13:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are clean and non-porous, I don't see a problem. No need to soak them in Coke. Just toss them in the sink with some anti-bacterial soap or dishwashing liquid. Rinse them well and toss 'em in the tank.
2006-08-27 15:14:50 · answer #8 · answered by xeuvisoft 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's always going to be a slight risk, but if you clean them really well using anti-bacterial soap (or coke, as was suggested) and then rinse very well, it should be ok, but you can never be entirely sure.
2006-08-27 15:13:01 · answer #9 · answered by azza 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do, I added a few little shells too, just wash them well first.
2006-08-27 15:30:36 · answer #10 · answered by DeAnna 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋