Rocks

[SkarloeysMom]

I got a bag of "egg rock" today from Lowe's garden section. Its for landscaping. I washed and scrubbed some choice pieces and tested them in a vinegar and water mixture. Only one rock fizzed so I ditched it. All the others seem fine. There are some rusty looking spots on some of them and I was wondering if that's OK. Here's what it looks like:
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[Incredulous_Ed]

It look slike just river rocks, and it look slike it's made from quartz. It should be fine. Or, to be safe, drop some muriatic acid and see if it fizzes. It's much stronger than vinegar.

[SkarloeysMom]

Thanks Ed! I soaked the rocks in declorinated water for a while and then went ahead and redesigned my tank. I decided to go with half gravel and half sand with a rock bed running across the divide. I'm still not done but I like the results so far. I still want to add the new piece of mopani wood that's soaking in the freezing cold water on the back patio. I'm not going to soak it too long. I want to try a blackwater tank for a while again. I think it will look great with the new arrangement. I also think I need more plants, may a few live ones!

Yeah, I know, you wanna see a picture now, right? I'm going to let the funk settle and get a good picture and then i'll post it on a new thread. Ed, I think you'll be happy to know that I finally ditched the "Don't drink the water" sign and the tank is ALL natural now. (Accept for the fake plants) LOL! I'm giving the sign to my son's 4 year old friend who just got a new betta.thumbs2:

[jeffs99dime]

yeah. i agree with ed. you will be fine with using them

[YaYgoldFish]

Wow your tank sounds amazing!

[Incredulous_Ed]

I also think I need more plants, may a few live ones!



Uhoh.................It's begun.........lol

Live plants are great but they can be very frustrating when they dont grow right, or algae takes over. But they are cool. If you are going to try live plants start with easy plants like hornwort or anacharis, and maybe some cryptocorynes.

[squirt_12]

the rocks should be fine. Some of the rocks that i have in my tank are like that and they don't mess with my tanks.

A VERY EASY plant to start off with is Red Ludwigia. I grew it like it was a weed.

[SkarloeysMom]

Uhoh.................It's begun.........lol

Live plants are great but they can be very frustrating when they dont grow right, or algae takes over. But they are cool. If you are going to try live plants start with easy plants like hornwort or anacharis, and maybe some cryptocorynes.

HAHA!! Oh yes! It's begun! again...I've tried plants in the past and failed. I'm pretty sure I know the reasons. I'll try again maybe but maybe not. If I do I'll try the plants you and Squirt suggested. Maybe I'll get lucky and something with live. LOL!