Anybody use rocks from the backyard?

[madpad]

Anything to watch out for? I hate to pay money fro rocks.Weve got a ton in S.California.

[ryanp15]

I've used rocks from the creek on our farm in my tank. I soked it for a couple of days and then scrubbed it and boiled it in a pan and let it soke for a few more days just to be safe. I have them in there right now and they look great. Good luck. ;D

[kagal]

I got mine from our local river at a Lock. i got some of the rip rap and normal river stone. washed and boiled

you might want to watch out for rocks that will alter the water quality. rocks can raise the pH drastically if you put the wrong kind in. i would suggest trying a rock in a tank that you know the water parameters in and see if they change when you add the rock for a week or so.  ;D
Joe

[Pufferfish115]

I have done it before and nothing has happened yet.  Just rinse them off before you add them to your tank.

[ryanp15]

That's a good point Joe. You should also let the rocks set in the bucket for a day or two and test the water quality out first. Just to be safe you know. ;D

i like taking a step towards the safe side, i mean killing a few discus isnt worth a rock. :P

[ryanp15]

No I agree with you. Especially when you consider how much discus cost! No rock I've seen is that great. ;D

I have tried it and some rocks do change the water pH and hardness while others interestingly enough, can lower pH and hardness. I usually test my rocks for a week to 2 weeks before putting them in my tanks. Of course I also boil them. A good website is www.notcatfish.com It will tell you what rocks to look out for and which are 'safer'.

[Matt Nace]

Pour white vinegar on your rock. If it fizzes..it will alter your water.

I boiled them, scrubbed them, and let them airdry for a few weeks. Then I scrubbed again. These were from a river(which is called a lake go figure) and it was winter. So I assumed most of the baddies were frozen dead. Summer they are still alive.