Can I Use Rocks From My Local River?

So I want a kind of river vibe for my aqua scape and I need some rocks. I'm just worried that it might transfer algae and disease into my tank. Also I saw this awesome looking plant in the river yesterday. It would look great as a centre piece for my tank and a was wondering if I could use that too. Thanks for all answers!

 

You should ID the plants and rocks first to be sure they are safe. Collect them, then rinse them in bleach. You may want to put the rocks in some boiling vinegar solution (vinegar+water).

Joey Bekius might be able to ID the rocks.

 

how would you id the rocks?
And tomorrow ill go take pictures of them

 

how would you id the rocks?
And tomorrow ill go take pictures of them

There are different kinds of rocks i.e agate slate, pumice...

Some are safe, some are not. Generally ones with metals (copper, lead, iron etc.) are bad.

 

You can boil them too. I would do the boiling method because some rocks are porous and can hold onto that bleach. But if it's smooth, you can boil or bleach.

 

There are different kinds of rocks i.e agate slate, pumice...

Some are safe, some are not. Generally ones with metals (copper, lead, iron etc.) are bad.

ah ok ill take some pictures of the rocks.

 

You can boil them too. I would do the boiling method because some rocks are porous and can hold onto that bleach. But if it's smooth, you can boil or bleach.

Boiling some porous rocks can lead to them exploding! Would suggest against that!

A weak bleach solution or even letting them airdry in the sun, it will be fine.

 

Whoops never knew that. You learn something new everyday.

 

Boiling some porous rocks can lead to them exploding! Would suggest against that!

A weak bleach solution or even letting them airdry in the sun, it will be fine.

How weak of a solution? like 5 to 1 or like 10 to 1?

 

How weak of a solution? like 5 to 1 or like 10 to 1?

I'd do a 10 to one personally.

 

Can you put rocks from a stream in a tank? I have a small creek near my house, and there are some nice rocks in there, I hesitate because they have algae on them, wick looks nice but would it effect my tank?

 

Yes you can use them, rinse them well, boil them if you want to be extra careful.

 

Can you put rocks from a stream in a tank? I have a small creek near my house, and there are some nice rocks in there, I hesitate because they have algae on them, wick looks nice but would it effect my tank?

Hello Phoe...

The rocks will be fine in your freshwater tank. Don't worry about a little algae. It's an excellent water filter, uses nitrates from the dissolving fish waste. It looks very natural. As long as you don't feed the fish too much, algae won't become an issue. Just rinse the rocks off in warm tap water and leave them out in the sun for a day. Then, they'll be ready to go into your tank.

Old

 

Can I put rocks I have in my little creek in my tank? I hesitate because they have cool long wavy algae growing on them, and I didn’t know if the would mess up my tank.

Ok, but if I leave them out in the sun, the algae will dry up!! I would like the algae to stay on the rocks, because they look cool.

And also, how do I cure drift wood? I found a really nice piece I want to use in my aquarium!! Thanks in advance!!

 

You can do whatever you want. Just throw it in your tank. Might be fine.

 

Ok......I thought you had to boil it or something to get all the parasites out? Or was I misinformed?


Edit: Here is a picture of said stick.

 

Ok......I thought you had to boil it or something to get all the parasites out? Or was I misinformed?


Edit: Here is a picture of said stick.

You don't want to even leave it in the sun! What do you think boiling it will do to the "cool long wavy" algae?

 

No, I meant boil the stick.....

And can I use gravel from down bye my stream?? Cause I mean it is good gravel!! Small rocks with soil mixed in with it. Will that be ok in my tank? Or will the dirt mix with the water and creat mud?

Do you have any advice in this DuaneV?

 

Ok......I thought you had to boil it or something to get all the parasites out? Or was I misinformed?


Edit: Here is a picture of said stick.

View attachment 539034

Phoe...

You don't need to boil anything. Just rinse the river rocks or driftwood pieces and leave them out in the sun for a few hours or a day or two. The sun will kill anything like a parasite. It's doubtful that there would be anything alive that could harm your fish after exposure to the sun for a few hours or longer.

Old

 

Really?? So I can just get anything natural from outside, and put it in my tank, as long as I rinse it out, and leave it in the sun for 2 days?? How about the gravel I mentioned? It is really fine rocks, with dirt mixed in, I have a TON of it, and I was wondering if I could use it in my aquarium!!

 

Basically, just let it dry and let the sun kill any parasites and you'll be fine. You're worrying too much, relax a bit

 

Ok!! Lol!! I guess my family is right when they say I’m the worrier of the family!! How would I grow plants on a piece of wood? Or can you even do that? And again I must bring up the gravel, anyone have any say on this subject?

 

Ok!! Lol!! I guess my family is right when they say I’m the worrier of the family!! How would I grow plants on a piece of wood? Or can you even do that? And again I must bring up the gravel, anyone have any say on this subject?

The gravel is okay as long as it is pea sized gravel that can be filtered properly once in the tank. Like the other rocks just rinse with warm water and let dry in the sun for at least 24 to 48 hours. And if you want plant attached to your log it’s as easy as tiring some fishing line around the plant base and the roots wrapping it around the log. After a few weeks the plants should slowly root themselves to the log for a more natural look.

 

Thank you so much for all the advice!! It is pea sized. And will Anacharis root to logs? Here is a picture of my baby Anacharis plants.

 

Thank you so much for all the advice!! It is pea sized. And will Anacharis root to logs? Here is a picture of my baby Anacharis plants.

Not likely, they're either floaters or stem plants. Not a big root system if any at all

 

Umm.....the shortest roots off the plants, was 2 in.!! Is that to short? It could be, I just kinda wanted to have plants on a log!! And those where grown in regular gravel, no fertilizer, no soil.

 

View attachment 539055

Phoe...

Anacharis is a floating plant. It doesn't get planted. If you plant it, the leaves at the top will shade those below and if the plant survives, you have nothing but leaves above and a naked stem below. This plant sends down string like roots that grow into the bottom material. The roots anchor the plant in the tank. In it's natural habitat, the roots keep the plant from floating away. If you want to attached a plant to a piece of driftwood. You can get some Java fern and carefully tie it to the wood with some similar colored, cotton sewing thread. The roots will grow into the cracks and crevices in the wood and the cotton thread will eventually dissolve in the tank water. Avoid nylon thread. It never dissolves.

Old

 

Umm.....the shortest roots off the plants, was 2 in.!! Is that to short? It could be, I just kinda wanted to have plants on a log!! And those where grown in regular gravel, no fertilizer, no soil.

Actually I think that would be too short, and as said above, they're do much better just floating around. However, there are tons of plants you can grow off a log. Typically you just tie a string to the plant and the log to keep it somewhat anchored, and just let the roots grow down

 

Ok!! I will looks into those!! I am also interested in getting a male betta fish in this old 2.5 gallon tank, Any ideas on any aquascapesing? Or how to arrange drift wood?

 

Drill holes big enough for at least three pieces of plant because it is a stem plant it will need a base to be held down and it will grow just fine.

 

I also want the tank to look fresh and natural.

Thanks Thedudeiam94!! I’m so dumb sometimes, did you mean drill the holes in the wood? Lol

 

Use thicker or broad leafy plants with the betta

 

....ok...but I will be using the baby Anacharis plants in the 2.5 gal. Is that ok??

 

Anubias does great tied around a log or rocks.

 

Use both the anacharis and some Anubis. That'll look great

 

Really?? So I can just get anything natural from outside, and put it in my tank, as long as I rinse it out, and leave it in the sun for 2 days??

Don't get rotting wood, because their might be bugs and other icky things. But anything else should be ok.

 

I also want the tank to look fresh and natural.

Thanks Thedudeiam94!! I’m so dumb sometimes, did you mean drill the holes in the wood? Lol

Not a problem at all!!! Glad to help! And yes use a simple drill with a drill bit big enough to make a hole to stuff a few plant stems through and they should do just fine! However you’re not dumb! Everyone needs a little help sometimes, no shame in that at all! You’re definitely in the right place for finding well informed people who are more than willing to help anyone with any problem(s). I’m just glad I could help!

 

Is it just me or do you have really a lot of gravel in the tank?? I don't think I would put more than an inch in it!!?

 

Well...because of the plants, I just wanted to make shure that the plants had enough growing room. Here is a picture of the stuff I got from the creek today......

So the plants you see in there where growing in the water, so do you think I should try to grow them in my tank? The brown stuff is the small rocks mixed with dirt.

 

Well...because of the plants, I just wanted to make shure that the plants had enough growing room. Here is a picture of the stuff I got from the creek today......

Do you mean you wanted to make sure they can get a really strong root system? Or were you not directly answering the gravel comment