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For experienced aquarium ppl only...is fieldstone safe for a freshwater community tank?
I have a 40 gallon long aquarium and am currently working on a piece of driftwood and know how to make that safe. What I need to know is can I use fieldstone after scrubbing and boiling it or should I just go to the pet store and buy some of their rocks? Please only someone with this knowledge answer.
I have Platy's, Mollies, Swordtails, Cory's, and a few of the Tetra group plus 2 i dont know what they are other than opportunity feeders (if they see it and have the "opportunity" they will eat it as they have been doing with my fry. I also have live plants in my tank. I think the rock I have is limestone but no 100% sure. I am in Kentucky if that helps. Thank you for any help you can be.
7 Answers
- J TLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
The field stone would be safe, if treated as you say, but it will need cleaning/sanitizing regularly because it will accumulate and retain bacteria more than regular aquarium rock. Same goes for your driftwood.
- PeeTeeLv 71 decade ago
The answers above all contain good advice,even if the stone is limestone it would be fine for the live bearing fish,not so much for the Corys and Tetras,who would prefer(maybe even require) softer water than the limestone would produce. A simple test would be; after the rock is cleaned as well as you can; put it in a plastic container outdoors for a few weeks,then add some guppies to the mix.(Of course this would require warm weather.)If the guppies survive for a few weeks you have discovered a lifetime supply of aquarium stone, and its also fun to keep fish outside in the summer,the colors are amazing. Hope this helps. Good luck,PeeTee.
Source(s): Lots of DIY fishkeeping. - fish guyLv 51 decade ago
It depends on what kind of rock it is. You don't want to use limestone because it dissolves in water and may kill fish. A good test is to pour vinegar(the #2 bottle for nitrate testing works also) on the rock. If the rock reacts to the vinegar then it should not go in the tank. If it does not react, then scrub the rock really well. You also may want to put the rocks in boiling water for 15 minutes, to kill any bacteria, ect. that may be harmful to fish. Make sure they are cooled off completely before putting them in the tank.
- ChrisLv 51 decade ago
The field stone would be safe, if treated as you say, but it will need cleaning/sanitizing regularly because it will accumulate and retain bacteria more than regular aquarium rock. Same goes for your driftwood.
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- 1 decade ago
I have used stones from road construction sites (granite) and river rocks. After you boil the stone, if you still don't feel safe boil it again in fresh water. Even porous rock should be safe then.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Field stone is typically granite and quartz and should be safe for your aquarium after cleansing and boiling it.
Source(s): This information and detailed profiles of over 2,500 aquarium fish along with over 11,000 photos of aquarium fish can be found at FishGeeks - http://www.aquaria.info/ Get your 2007 tropical fish calendars: Freshwater http://www.cafepress.com/fishgeeks.91944067 saltwater http://www.cafepress.com/fishgeeks.91939978 - 1 decade ago
i suggest no,as you are not sure if the rock u have is limestone is not 100% sure
