Beach rocks - GTA Aquaria Forum - Aquarium Fish & Plants serving the Greater Toronto Area.

EdC · 08-22-2018, 05:39 AM

Has anyone used these tye of rocks (pictured)?

Any idea what they are called? I grew up calling them fossilized coral, but searching for that term on Google doesn't bring up anything similar.

I am assuming they would raise pH, but I am planning to put them in a Tanganyikan tank, so no worries there.

Nebthet78 · 08-23-2018, 04:24 PM

Not sure which type of stone they are, but just in case, take a bit of white vinegar and lay them in it for a little bit. If they fiz or create bubbles at all, they are not safe for your tank. If nothing happens.. Give them a quick boil in water and then let them cool and they will be safe to add.

thezenmaestro · 08-23-2018, 04:47 PM

Pretty sure they are inert. Like mentioned, do the vinegar test and be certain.

Tabatha · 08-23-2018, 05:21 PM

I'm not sure the vingegar trick works. I purchased rocks from a local garden center and discovered that they were limestone. I poured vinegar on them and nothing happened. I soaked them for 48 hours and checked the water parameters, the GH, PH, KH didn't change. Limestone is supposed to be a no-no in aquariums but I've had no problem. I do a 30% water change once a week. Parameters are good.

EdC · 08-24-2018, 06:52 AM

I posted the pic on a great lakes geology Facebook page. Consensus seens to be that they are stinkstones.
Basically limestone formed under anaerobic conditions. They smell when you break them due to a release of trapped petroleum. I would be totally fine with limestone, as I am planning a Tanganyikan tank, but I am less fine with the petroleum.

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08-23-2018, 04:24 PM	#2
Nebthet78 Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Belleville Posts: 104 Feedback Score: (1)	Not sure which type of stone they are, but just in case, take a bit of white vinegar and lay them in it for a little bit. If they fiz or create bubbles at all, they are not safe for your tank. If nothing happens.. Give them a quick boil in water and then let them cool and they will be safe to add.

08-23-2018, 04:47 PM	#3
thezenmaestro Up-and-comer Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 66 Feedback Score: (0)	Pretty sure they are inert. Like mentioned, do the vinegar test and be certain.

08-23-2018, 05:21 PM	#4
Tabatha Devoted Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,318 Feedback Score: (23)	I'm not sure the vingegar trick works. I purchased rocks from a local garden center and discovered that they were limestone. I poured vinegar on them and nothing happened. I soaked them for 48 hours and checked the water parameters, the GH, PH, KH didn't change. Limestone is supposed to be a no-no in aquariums but I've had no problem. I do a 30% water change once a week. Parameters are good.

08-24-2018, 06:52 AM	#5
EdC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 170 Feedback Score: (7)	I posted the pic on a great lakes geology Facebook page. Consensus seens to be that they are stinkstones. Basically limestone formed under anaerobic conditions. They smell when you break them due to a release of trapped petroleum. I would be totally fine with limestone, as I am planning a Tanganyikan tank, but I am less fine with the petroleum.