webtrawler84

hi all. Im looking at setting up another small tank soon and thinking of different Ideas as to how to decorate it.

I could not resist these today, they are both blocks or natural amethyst.
My main consern is the bases, I do not know what the base stone is and if they are both aqarium safe.






Im hoping to somehow make these a focal point in the tank

thanks all in advance for any help

Tony G.

i have some of these too that i wantd to put in too, i didnt because i was afraid the rock would loose its look. I do however have some gem stones in my tank here's a pic:

you can only see the blue one but i have lots of colors pink yellow orange green red etc.. good luck

Attached Images

P5280354.jpg (477.9 KB, 129 views)

prairielilly

The purple crystals are most definitely natural amethyst, which is really just purple quartz (= completely inert and therefore safe). I'm pretty sure (but not certain) that the country rock they're grown on is basalt, but I'd like to check some books at home, can't quite remember that one...if it is basalt, it's also perfectly safe, nothing would leach into the water from either rock.

prairielilly

Tony, all the ones I can see there are quartz except for the blue one, which I think is lapis lazuli (lazurite) - one of my favourite gemstones and awfully pretty, but it is a carbonate (as is the shell you've got in there). Both may have a pH-raising effect, may want to monitor that.

webtrawler84

prairielilly: Thanks for that, If you could confirm the Base Rocks by checking your book that would would be great.

tonyluvshisfish: thanks for the info, I think the colours should be fine, I get a lot of my rocks from the beach (only live over the road). The main of the rocks are slate and quartz.

thanks everyone and keep the info comming

Butterfly

I have some beautiful crystals I have used in my tanks for years and they did fine. the only concern I had and that I could see is the sharp edges. Are you going to have anything with flowey(is that a word ?) fins that might tear?
Carol

webtrawler84

Well depending on what size tank I end up getting it will either be a betta or something like that. I can see what you mean by the sharp pointed edges, I may have a go at grinding down the points with some 2000gt paper or a dremal.

Its good to know that they will be safe, there is a shop local to me that has al kinds of natural gem stones and some of them are very cheap aswell.

thanks again for all the help folks

prairielilly

Never did get to refer to the books but just re-reminded myself of some stuff via Wiki - the amethyst grows in geodes, which usually occur in volcanic rocks (basalt, safe) but can also occur in limestones and other sedimentary rocks. Because I can't quite tell from the picture if your amethyst is grown on limestone, it would be good to test it as limestone could affect your tank's pH. Just put a small drop of vinegar on anything not amethyst (several areas, if there's several different types) and see if it fizzes. If it does, it's limestone. If it doesn't, it may still be another carbonate mineral called dolomite (very similar but more magnesium) - try taking an old dull steel knife and try to scrape off a bit of the rock material into a powder; if you can't scrape it off it's definitely not dolomite. If you can, put some vinegar on the powder - if that fizzes, it's dolomite. If nothing fizzes it's definitely safe for your aquarium.

Regarding sanding it down: amethyst is quartz, which is a very hard substance. Many sandpapers are made from quartz, and so won't be effective in grinding down the crystal as they're the same stuff - you'd need something harder. Garnet sandpaper MAY work, and if your dremel is made from silicon carbide that may work too. A steel construction file may work too (but they're very similar in hardness so it may damage the file). Otherwise the only option would be to chisel some off, but then you run the risk of breaking the crystal (it will split along a crystal plane, and you'll have two fragments, both with even sharper edges). Good luck

webtrawler84

prairielilly: thanks for the info buddy, will have a go at that over the weekend(hoping to get my new tank next week once paid).

I took a trip today over the beach around the cliff area. Got a load of different peaces of slate. already given them a good scrub and they are currently sitting in a bowl of hot water (would not recommend boiling). got a few sections that will look great once they are siliconed together (already got some aquarium safe silicone).

prairielilly

You could definitely boil them if you wanted, it wouldn't change them at all (they went through much higher temperatures being changed from shale to slate)

inari

An idea for your Quartz, if you take something like Java moss and grow it around the Quartz you should be ok, as it will ancor to every little nook and cranny on the rock. It looks like you have a high iron base in it, so that will definately affect your hardness. I don't know if it will affect you pH tho. I'd think if you got someway to soften the edges you'll be fine.

~Inari