Freshwater rocks?

[codigoins]

Hey guys! I'm currently cycling a new 16 gallon bowfront (my second one) and was thinking of making a "freshwater reef" lots of rocks and plants in front. with some cave systems and stuff, well i was wondering what kind of rocks to use, I plan on putting a red tail black shark in there till he grows enough for my 75 gallon. I like the look of the Texas Holey but heard is raises PH any good rock ideas?

THANKS!

[austinroberts23]

I use rocks from the Mississippi. Just clean em off and throw em in

[lohachata]

yep..rocks from you friendly local lakes and rivers work just fine...god makes the most awesome stuff...

[Schwartzy61]

Just make sure that before you throw the rocks into your tank, you boil them or bake them in the oven. You never know what is growing on those things...

[lohachata]

in almost 40 years of using them i have never boiled or baked a single stone...and have never had any kind of a problem...
now if you want to stand in front of that pot or oven ; go ahead....just pray that there isn't a void in one that could cause it to explode.....i have seen it happen...kinda like a land mine going off...

[phlyergirl]

I use rocks from the landscaping yard.

[adamxatomic]

Originally Posted by lohachata in almost 40 years of using them i have never boiled or baked a single stone...and have never had any kind of a problem... now if you want to stand in front of that pot or oven ; go ahead....just pray that there isn't a void in one that could cause it to explode.....i have seen it happen...kinda like a land mine going off...

+1

Especially with slate. It's thin and cracks easily when exposed to sudden heat. Also make sure the slate doesn't have any ore deposits in it as most of it does. Some have enough to be dangerous, but most does not.
You can tell rock is safe by using Vinegar, if it doesn't bubble or react, then it's inert and perfectly ok. Although using Sulfuric or Muriatic acid is the only true way to tell if harder rock is truly inert, vinegar should be find for most.
Stay away from sandstone or anything that's "dusty".
Some rock can act as a PH buffer. The best way to cure it is to use a nail scrubber brush in warm water. Let it soak in water for a few days to leech, changing the water a few times.
Best way to be sure is to take water from when you do a water change and put a small piece of the rock in there. Then test for PH, hardness, etc.

I personally just use rocks found by rivers, lakes, etc.

[Maine_Fish]

I recently got some rocks from a local stone center. They sell all kinds of stones, build stone walls, etc. Out in their stone yard, they have an area where they keep the rocks left over from various projects. They let you pick through them on your own, and pay next to nothing for them. I paid $5.00 for what I could fit into the trunk of my car. Picked up some really cool rocks there.

[mls3371971]

I got lucky, I took all of my fiji rock, from my salt tank and took it to the local landscaping business and he traded me outright for river rock...I thought that was pretty cool....

[giggitygiggity]

red tail sharks are a PITA.


I use to have 2 and one was ALWAYS picking on the other one, so much that he lost his color, he was practically white.

I donated the mean one back to the LFS and now the wussy one is always picking on my SAE. Im about to get rid of him, all he does is pester everyone, and I have plenty of plants and rocks with hiding spaces to call his own. He is just an asshole.