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[steeze]

I'm hoping some of the resident geology experts can lend a hand in identifying these rocks i'm pulling out of this old creek for my aquarium. Aquarium rock is expensive I guess rightfully so. There's a creek behind my house and when I say creek I am using the term very loosely. It's pretty polluted but despite itself there are still some aquatic life for sure. Killifish, Trout, Sunnies, Bass you name it. All the water runs down into the preserve and a bunch of different lakes.

Now supposedly these big rocks i'm pulling up were dumped there by the construction workers for the state. The creek runs underneath a bike path which the state changed from a wooden bridge to an asphalt bike path and brought in these rocks to hold the soil in place. Over time they've broken apart or maybe they just dumped them along the side of the creek because they had too many but in any case I'm pulling the ones out that lead down into the water. I'm no rock expert so I figured I'd post the rock samples I've collected so far maybe you guys would have some insight into what they are exactly.

I poured some vinegar on them and they didn't bubble but I can't be sure if these are aquarium safe if I don't know what they are. Keep in mind they might still have some dirt on them or be stained a little for whatever reason. I'm also pretty sure the rocks are all the same kind.

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[vpnavy]

1st - Welcome Aboard! Take a look at Forum:New York for information (i.e., clubs, etc.) directly related to your state.

2nd - I moved ya from NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS over to ROCKS/GEMS for more exposure.

 

[DDancer]

For aquarium rocks you want to inspect what your planing to use closely for signs of pyrite, rusty discolorations, or other discolorations, copper is green, from other metals that are signs of leeching. If you suspect metals are present try soaking the stones in a bath of chlorine to remove organics, scrub and rinse and then muritic acid, commonly found in the pool supplies isle, for a week and see if there has been any changes to the stones and if they have broken up. If they have broken up then they likely have some alkali and are no good for aquariums. I dont suggest using sand stone or lime stone. Changes to watch for are the discolorations I mentioned on the stone.
What you have looks like granite fill. Test it, rinse it well and dry it well ; if its good it'll be ok to use as the chlorine and acid will also sterilize the stone at the same time.

 

[Rookster]

Welcome to Tnet from Mississippi

 

[firemanphob]

Welcome from Indiana

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[A2coins]

Welcome from MI Tommy

 

[A2coins]

Also sent a FR

 

[against the wind]

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny, Pennsylvania

 

[angelito1]

welcome to Tnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

[ToddsPoint]

I used rock from the lake for my aquarium when I was a kid. I boiled the rocks to make sure no disease on them. Never had a problem. Your rocks look like granite/igneous rocks and should be no problem. Gary

 

[TreasureCatto]

Welcome from Texas

 

[djackson7348]

Welcome from North Carolina.

 

[A2coins]

Welcome to tnet Tommy

 

[A2coins]

Also sent a FR

 

[steeze]

Thanks for the welcome wagon everyone! I have since power washed these rocks. (Didn't boil them because they've been waterlogged some of them.) They will be going in my collection of hardscaping materials.

 

[Davers]

Welcome to the TN Site & GL with your project.

 

[A2coins]

Welcome from MI Tommy

 

[A2coins]

Also sent a FR