TeeJay Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 Is gathering some small river rocks safe to put in tanks if cleaned and soaked before adding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted June 29, 2022 Share Posted June 29, 2022 In my area they’re generally safe because of the type of rock. I just scrub them first. Some folks boil them. You can test the rock by scratching it and putting a few drops of vinegar on it. If it fizzes then it’s probably going to raise your ph. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Hanson Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 I have also diluted and sprayed rocks with hydrogen peroxide as an alternative to the boiling method. This would be a precaution as boiling rocks can be dangerous. Hard scape collecting is one of my favorite parts of the hobby, so good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lots Of Loaches Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 Many years ago, the Colorado River use to run through the cattle ranch I work on here in Texas. It deposited lots of pea gravel that I now harvest for using in my tanks. I just rinse it off until the water runs clean and then add it to my tanks. I love the way it looks and the smooth texture works for my loaches. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanked Posted June 30, 2022 Share Posted June 30, 2022 If your river runs through an industrial area I would think twice. If you believe the river to be clean enough to swim in, than go ahead and use them after a thorough cleaning. I prefer boiling as an additional precaution. Boiling will kill anything you missed and remove additional potential pollutants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick-In-Of-TheSea Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I scrub them with a toothbrush and boil them @TeeJay. About 15-20 minutes. Also you can check if a rock is aquarium safe but putting a nitrate test drop on it (from bottle #1). If it fizzes don't use it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flumpweesel Posted July 1, 2022 Share Posted July 1, 2022 I collect from the beaches near me just wash ( mainly in case of dog pee) and use. I have only boiled ones that have had lots of holes in them just in case something is lurking deep within 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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