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how to tell if rocks are safe for aquarium use?

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by Leslie, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    i have 2 rocks, i plain on getting more but i need to know before i do.
    rock.jpg rock2.jpg
     
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    They look okay to me. Just to be safe you can pour vinegar on them. If they fizz, they're not safe to use.
     
  3. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    vinegar test
     
  4. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    And clean them good, Most rocks petstores sell are really really dirty :)
     
  5. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    i know there was something about white lines or something. one is althey way white but black on the othside. should i scrub them or boil them or what?if i haveto ill dump bleach on them. wait im out of bleach. i found these rocks by the way
     
  6. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    If it has shiny specs in it then you shouldn't use it.

    You can boil them, bake them at a low temp for a few hours, or bleach them.
     
  7. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    Boiling is a great way :)
     
  8. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    i may just bleach them there arnt any shiny peices. i just want to put them in to hold down the driftwood.
     
  9. Guidoman888

    Guidoman888 New Member

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    I wanted to go for driftwood but seeing that they can float for months I went away from them I'm way to Impatient for that haha
     
  10. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    boiling is the best way... keeps it safe from bleach sticking to the rock or soaking in then leaching into the tank
     
  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    ph down will work the same as vinegar also. Darn..anthony must of beat me by a few seconds. Lol!
     
  12. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Put a rock on it and forget about it. Half of the wood in my tank has rocks stacked on top of them to hold them down!
     
  13. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    ok. boiling it is. as i have no bleach anyways. how long do i boil?
     
  14. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:20 pm
    5-15 minutes will do (5 is fine)
     
  15. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:22 pm
    i do eveything extra.
     
  16. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:22 pm
    Don't drop the rock into boiling water. Place it in the pot then turn on the heat.
     
  17. Leslie

    Leslie Thread Starter New Member

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    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:25 pm
    dang you ruin the fun. i wanted to drop it in and spalsh boiling water on me and get 3rd degree burns!! :)
     
  18. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:25 pm
    A cold rock dropped into boiling water will not be pretty.
     
  19. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    Top Poster Of Month

    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:25 pm
    how do you test them?
     
  20. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

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    Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:44 pm