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Are these rocks safe?


Mydonkeyfish
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I went to a park today and found some beautiful rocks for my 75. I have never done this before but my twin brother who is really into reptiles does this all the time. I was just wondering if these rocks are bad for aquariums. I found them in moving water so I think they ahould be safe and i have seen fish in the water before.20220124_145257.jpg.4ba2314344d5e9b4b95c818f70304495.jpg20220124_145250.jpg.de6066c0b231a367169dccedffbb9188.jpg20220124_145250.jpg.de6066c0b231a367169dccedffbb9188.jpg20220124_145253.jpg.cd1c2ba4ee8f392e11147d7b6f5829eb.jpg20220124_145250.jpg.de6066c0b231a367169dccedffbb9188.jpg20220124_145254.jpg.77cac4091eaa860eea301d3794758f44.jpg

I will wash them off of course

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You would want to do some test on the rocks or talk to some one local to be sure. Anything granitic is more likely to be more stable in water. The problem would be if you end up with rocks that would change your parameters. I believe sedimentary rocks are often more likely to have minerals that could dissolve into water (such as carbonate rocks). Rocks can contain iron, but that does not mean it will be able to dissolve into the water column. The more you can identify what it is (or likely to be) the better chance you have of success. If you do put it in make sure you have weighed out the best/worst case scenarios.

@Kurt Brutting Has the right idea. Testing a rock with acid (vinegar is a solution of acetic acid) can help you decide if it is a carbonate rock. calcium carbonate reacts with acids to produce a chemical reaction (sizzling or bubbling).

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Also try to scratch the surface with your fingernail and if you can’t that is good.  Softer rocks are more likely to break down in water.  I always collect my own rocks for my aquariums.  So far only had trouble with gypsum (didn’t think about the softness test at the time).  It completely melted and I had to change out a bunch of substrate.  Lost some plants but no fish.

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