tricky Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 I was wondering if it is ok to put sandstone rocks in tanks. I heard elsewhere that they can release toxic chemicals over time. Is this true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 If your sandstone rocks have been soaked in some toxic chemicals at some stage, they will release them back into the water over time. But normally sandstone is fine. I have used it in tanks for over a decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlidfishbreeder Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 I use sand stone blocks in my tank with out a problem. A good test for rocks is to put a bit of vinegar on it if it bubles it is not safe for your tank. Trent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graceless Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 how long does it usually take it know if it's gonna be toxic if you didn't put do anything more than give them a quick scrub? Grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeyBoyR Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 I think if they were toxic you'd know pretty quick smart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serial-Cichlid Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 Hi Tricky Baz is correct. You need to be certain of where the rocks came from and what possible toxins/chemicals they've come in contact with. For more information on rocks for the aquarium, here is a good article by one of the more experienced forum members/geologist: Aquarium rock article Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lepperfish Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 Does it matter how pourous the rock is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted October 22, 2004 Share Posted October 22, 2004 It shouldn't matter how porous the rock is, however with sandstone there seems to be different grades sort of. Some of it is real coarse and crumbly, and some is fine and solid. Avoid the coarse crumbly stuff as it tends to fall apart and may damage/break your tank. The rocks in this post are sandstone and have all been in my tank around 4 yrs with no hassles at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricky Posted October 22, 2004 Author Share Posted October 22, 2004 Thanks for all the responses. I feel a little more confident now. It was just a passing comment from a friend who had seen my tank. So I thought i would check it out with the experts and see the response. Ive just lost a heap of fish recently and cant pinpoint the problem so I am now grasping at straws! When he told me his opinion on sandstone I had to investigate further. Thanks again. Ricky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 A good test for rocks is to put a bit of vinegar on it if it bubles it is not safe for your tank ...not necessarily true. Any rock with a calcium carbonate content will "fizzle", therefore all limestones fit this mold. Clearly limestones are ok for use in hard water aquaria. The porous nature of sandstones do subject them to contamination. Be sure of your source because as already stated they will leach the contaminants back into the tank. Composition wise, sandstones are generally suitable for aquaria...keep in mind that they vary widely in source minerals ie. iron sandstone and lime sandstone have considerably different chemical properties. The "baked" or metamorphosed sandstones are best as they have lost their porosity and do not crumble when exposed to water over a long period. How do I know if it has been metamorphosed?...hit it with a hammer and when the hammer bounces back and hits you in the forehead rather than breaking the rock, it has been "baked". merjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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