ashley

We have just recently bought a 180 gal. tank which we are going to put piranhas in. I am wanting to use river rocks, but wanted to make sure it is safe to use. I would be boiling/cleaning them before, but I thought everyone here is so good with fish that you all may think of something I hadn't thought about yet. Also should I purchase the rock or just get it from the river? Thanks

TheEssigs

At Petco, they sell river rocks by the bag... I think its a 25lb bag. I think its a Estes product. Try going into your LFS and browse the gravel and you might find them there. This way, they are already tank safe.

ashley

I've looked at a few LFS and they just really do not have what I'm looking for. I want the larger rocks and have just not been satisfied with what I've found at local stores.

TheEssigs

The river rocks I had seen at Petco were about 1"-2" in size and mostly dark in color. Did you want bigger? Maybe, you can ask the LFS to order them for you... ?? Do you have a Petco or Petsmart near you?

ashley

I am wanting slightly larger than that and being a larger tank I think it would look good. I am also needing some of the larger flat rocks to build some caves and such. There is a petsmart as well as some smaller stores, but petsmart didn't have anything close to what I'm wanting. I may try to see if they can order some.

Butterfly

As long as you clean them as you described river rocks will be fine. After you boil them let them cool naturally because if you rinse them in cold water they will explode
Carol

sgould

ashley

wow, that's a really good thing to know. I'll have to be sure my husband doesn't find out or he will want to do it just for fun. Thanks so much!

Isabella

You can use rocks from the river as long as they're not calcerous (contain calcium). Calcium in the rocks will increase your pH too much for a freshwater tank. You can check if the rocks are calcerous by pouring a few drops of vinegar on them. If they will bubble/fizzle, then it means they're calcerous. If they don't contain calcium, go ahead and use the rocks. I have collected stones/rocks from a river too for one of my tanks. And they look very nice and natural.

Of course, you'll have to boil them to make sure they're clean and disinfected before they are put in your tank. When you've finished boiling them, do NOT take them out of the boiling pot right away. If you do that, they can explode! (Suddenly going from hot to cold.) Wait until the water in the pot cools off, and then take the rocks out.

COBettaCouple

lol.. yea, i agree.. the thought crossed my mind.

Tom

I got some river rocks for cheaper at the local art store(LAS).
Tom

ashley

I hadn't thought about an art store, I'll have to check there. Thanks. I may be in trouble now b/c my husband just read this post and now knows the secret about the exploding rocks. : I guess we'll have to pick up a few extra so he can try it. Thanks again!

Butterfly

I got mine at one of those places that sell rocks for building houses for 20 cents per pound. Was a good deal because I bought 80 pounds
Carol

COBettaCouple

LOL.. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

ashley

Thanks carol, that's a really good idea too, I'm going to try to go tomorrow and check out a similar store. And yes I am really worried about my kitchen-I think I'm going to make him try it outside if he insists.

Butterfly

Outside would be good
Carol

COBettaCouple

LOL.. how about in the bathroom? talk about dropping a bomb!

Butterfly

get out of the bathroom !
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COBettaCouple

i wouldn't sit there if i were you.

Tom

Now, just see if you can either find a pic that shows it flying off the toilet or get gammerus(spelling) to fix it up so that happens.
Tom

COBettaCouple

Wolfman

Guys I'm telling you pet stores make a ton of money off of rocks in my neck of the woods East Texas you can buy a sheet of flag stone for 45-65 dollars. Its about the size of the bed on my pickup truck 2 or 3 little pieces will cost you 30 bucks at the pet store