I want to add a large amount of rock to my cichlid tank but have noticed how expensive it is down the LFS. can i use normal rock to decorate my tank or will it alter the water stability too much?
2006-09-23 06:29:39 · 19 answers · asked by Bailey P 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
my mate and myself all ways used to swap our plants and rocks and this one time i put the rock he gave me in the tank of cichlids i had and on completion of the rockery he told me his dad had found it digging the garden so i went mad and he told me his dad had been doing this for a while and he said if it is white and chalky don't use it but if it is a good solid rock poor vinegar over it the vinegar cost 65 pence smother the rock in it wash it off with boiling water put the rock in the pan of boiling water leave to cool take it out put it in the sink take a cup full of your tank water pour it over the rock and hay presto you've got yourself some new rocks ,hope this was help full , "B"
2006-09-24 10:38:30 · answer #1 · answered by buster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To sterilize rocks and gravel, rinse very well in hot water. Bleach is hard to remove from these because they are porous. Rocks can also be baked in the oven at 250f for a half an hour or so. Line a baking pan with foil and spread it all out. It might stink up the place for a few hours, but it gets the job done.
I've also seen a tank that had unfinished clay flowerpots with holes broken in them stacked on their sides in a tank. It looked really good and the fish adapted well to is.
A
2006-09-23 15:25:15 · answer #2 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, assuming you know what kind of rock it is and know for a fact that there is no limestone in it. Otherwise, you'll have some serious pH and hardness issues.
Try pouring a bit of vinegar on it - if it bubbles, toss it back. If it doesn't bubble, you should be good.
Quartz, shale, and slate all work well in the home aquarium. The best recommendation I've heard so far is to soak it in a diluted bleach solution (nine parts water to one part bleach) for a couple of days. Then, soak it in a different tub of water for a week - make sure you add extra dechlorinator to your water (two to three times you normally would add to your fish tank). Dump out that water, and pour in fresh water, adding 2-3x the normal dose of dechlorinator; continue soaking for another week. Then, allow it to dry in the sun for a couple of days (make sure it doesn't get rained on, as toxins in the rain could cause problems in your tank). If you're still unsure about your rocks, feel free to boil them for an hour or so, but allow them to cool for a day to room temperature.
It will take time to properly cure your rocks, so don't expect to just pick 'em up, wash 'em off, and be able to throw them right in your tank.
EDIT: Hey, Lynne - noticed your link for That Fish Place? Ever been there? I live in the Philly burbs, so it's a bit of a hike for me to get out there, but the few times I have been there, I've spent close to half a day there. That store is AMAZING!
2006-09-24 02:55:57 · answer #3 · answered by birdistasty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In short: No!
Bacteria could be on the rock, it could leech out minerals into the water and no amount of cleaning could help with that.
Sure, some people might have been lucky and not poisoned their fish with detergents and found rocks, but it's not to be reccomended. Dont take risks with you fishes lives!
2006-09-24 04:48:45 · answer #4 · answered by Katherine S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would make sure if you do that that you have soak the rock in clean/chlorine free water for a period of a week or 2. There could be contaminents on the rock(s) and the last thing you want is to put something in your tank that will contaminate the water and your fish.
2006-09-23 14:56:05 · answer #5 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes but if you can boil them for an hour then rinse with cold water and when cool put them in the tank,Done this many times with rocks from the beach and no harm done.
2006-09-23 15:14:27 · answer #6 · answered by Francis7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some rocks contain minerals that could harm your fish.
I would do a lot of checking into the type of rock it is and whether or not it is safe for your fish before you add it to the aquarium.
2006-09-23 13:37:10 · answer #7 · answered by willow oak 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fresh water tank, yeah, but you have to clean it awfully well, and it's better not to use ANY detergent.
If it's porous, I wouldn't even use bleach, which usually rinses out well.
I'd boil it, like you're making soup, repeatedly, until the water comes up clean.
2006-09-23 13:46:03 · answer #8 · answered by whoknew 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO! NO! NO! You can introduce bacteria your tank and kill your fish. Never introduce anything not approved for fish tanks! And never ever use soap of any kind, as this will spoil the tank, soap will soak into the glass and you will have throw out the whole tank! Soad sticks the fish gills and suffocates them!
check out www.thatfishplace.com for cheap and pretty ornaments!
Lynne
2006-09-23 15:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by fshmonger 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my husband has kept fish for yrs he has gotten rock from woods and all over as long as you give them a good clean no detergent's just good old scrubbing then wash again and soak for a while and you can then add them to tank.
2006-09-23 13:39:13 · answer #10 · answered by cheggsy_davies 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋