I have surfed the net, and there are many methods or rather, opinions. Here are the steps to ensure aquarium integrity while using large rocks: Make sure that your stand has a flat surface to support the entire bottom of the tank. This VORCOOL Aquarium Sea Rock Cave Ornament is one of the best rocks for aquariums because it looks somewhat realistic in the tank and comes with a fine size of three by up to ten-gallon tanks. Soak the rocks in a bucket or pan of fresh water for 24 hours, then test water's pH levels to make sure the rock is not raising the pH levels. Test the composition of your rock by putting a few drops of ordinary white vinegar on it. Other than those, they also serve many purposes in your ecosystem like home for algae and helpful bacteria. If so this rock will leach minerals into the aquarium. If it fizzes, it contains carbonate. That said, regular and substantial water changes typically necessary with eutrophic fertz dosing methods means that these reactions will have a minimal impact on water chemistry. Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Best Safe Rocks for Freshwater Aquarium – Top 9 Review Pet stores and garden supply centers aren’t the only places to look for appropriate natural stones for aquarium use. If the drops bring out bubble or foam then that means the rock is calcareous. If you compare the scratch test with the acid/vinegar test you can get an idea of what I mean and get some practice comparing good aquarium rocks and bad ones with both tests. Tropical fish forum at the Age of Aquariums - dedicated to promoting responsible fish-keeping ... is a very weak acid, so even if the rocks are calcerous, they may not cause a reaction. Add a splash of vinegar, if it bubbles then there are strong concentrations of carbonates present and this will increase the hardness of the water ? If it does then the rock contains calcium and is unsuitable for aquarium use. It’s best avoided. A rock that is harder to scratch is more likely to not dissolve in your tank, and therefore aquarium safe. Grab an aquarium test kit. The vinegar test is also usefull as it will ID limestone based rocks. Aquarium rocks can dramatize scenery like a plateau or a mountain, or cave for hiding. ... also i would put old aquarium water in with the rock and an algae eater with food. Just got some rocks from a landscaping/ aquarium place and want to get it ready for my tank. If any look like they need more, do another 24 hrs. Limestone is probably the most frequently encountered calcareous rock, followed closely by marble. In my opinion, today's test is much more fun! 12-21-2007, 03:19 AM. Blast the rocks clean with a hose and inspect, pull off, scrub off anything. the acid reacts with the carbonate and releases CO2, which are the bubbles you see. Tip Some bacterial matter is beneficial in an aquarium, so if a cleaning product is used to remove all debris from aquarium rocks and decorations, mix a little bit of dirty gravel with the clean gravel to jump-start a healthy bacteria level in your aquarium 0 0. Sandstone is a common choice for an African cichlid tank because it can raise PH and water hardness. To test this, wash the object in some water, and brush it with a hard brush. There is a simple test that will tell you if a rock is unsuitable. An easy way to test if you have a carbonate rock is to apply a few drops of white water vinegar to the surface. I am sorry but I can not find the posts I have read about this in. If you have found some interesting rocks that you would like to introduce to your aquarium, there are two main ways to test them for use in your aquarium: • The vinegar test. This results in a reduction of the pH level, which is good for the fish. Then let it … When you pour vinegar onto a rock and it fizzes, it does not mean it's poison - it means it contains calcium carbonate. I tested 2 rocks with white vinegar and neither of them fizzed up and I poured it pretty much all over each of them with nothing happening. It is really important to avoid putting limestone in your freshwater tank. The vinegar is easily rinsed off with water after you have completed the cleaning. Landscape supply is a good idea as well if your in a city and don't have access to outside rocks A vinegar test is a good way to find out if a rock is composed of carbonates and likely to react with our tank water; the rock will effervesce. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. If the rock looks inert (gray shale-like rock, no sand comes off when rubbing it) I usually don't even test em, just scrub em with hot water and in they go. Ghapy. 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