Serpentine rock

[s a v v o]

I posted this topic in the Technical forum last week, but have had no responses. Maybe someone on this forum may be able to help.

I noticed on some threads on this forum that some people are using serpentine rock in their aquariums. I also saw some in the display tank of a LFS.

I've obtained some to use in a Malawi tank. The stones I got looked to have been lying in a paddock for aeons, and the underside is stained brown from the soil it had been lying on. I intend to blast this stain with a power water spray.

My issue is this: obviously, the rock has been weathered for a long time, and any undesirable substances on the surface hopefully will have leached out long ago. After buying it, I noticed that it's a bit brittle -- a bump can dislodge pieces that may flake off. The underlying material, previously unexposed, now comes in contact with the water.

Is there any concern about this, or is the material chemically inert anyway?

I'd like to hear from anyone who knows about this rock, or has used it in broken form and is able to comment.

Thanks.

Les

[fongyfong]

I posted this topic in the Technical forum last week, but have had no responses. Maybe someone on this forum may be able to help.

I noticed on some threads on this forum that some people are using serpentine rock in their aquariums. I also saw some in the display tank of a LFS.

I've obtained some to use in a Malawi tank. The stones I got looked to have been lying in a paddock for aeons, and the underside is stained brown from the soil it had been lying on. I intend to blast this stain with a power water spray.

My issue is this: obviously, the rock has been weathered for a long time, and any undesirable substances on the surface hopefully will have leached out long ago. After buying it, I noticed that it's a bit brittle -- a bump can dislodge pieces that may flake off. The underlying material, previously unexposed, now comes in contact with the water.

Is there any concern about this, or is the material chemically inert anyway?

I'd like to hear from anyone who knows about this rock, or has used it in broken form and is able to comment.

Thanks.

Les

Hey mate i have about 8 pieces but overpaid for them for 15 bucks a piece thanks for telling me where to get them for cheapr , Anyways to answer ur question had these pieces for about a 1 year in my tank

and i didnt even clean it or norhitng to lazy, left the soil on it and didnt do nothing to my fish(they are malawi fish too),After about 10 months sold all my fish cos went over seas and left the rock outside, it turn different colour and some peices started shattering off like yew said , but once agian to lazzy to clean the rock and put it in with my new fish when i came back(malawis too) and been going good for about 3 months so i say ur rock is set to go, but dont be lazy like me and not clean it...heehhe as it left my tank a little cloudy for a while