Can Someone Please Help Identify These Stones? Will They Alter pH?

[Megaanemp]

Hello all,

I picked up these rocks from my lfs I’m pretty sure they’re dragon stone but weren't labeled, can someone please confirm?
Also I correct in thinking that dragon stone won’t alter the pH of my tanks? Can I test using vinegar?

Advice is much appreciated

 

[DoraCory]

I'm not sure if you intended to add one or not, but there isn't a picture, so it will be difficult for us to ID them for you.

 

[Megaanemp]

I'm not sure if you intended to add one or not, but there isn't a picture, so it will be difficult for us to ID them for you.

Omg One second sorry!

Here they are

 

[Lordofwar]

I doubt these are dragon stones. They are also known as ohko rocks and look like these. They are inert in nature. So if you have a chance to get them returned and you don't like them would suggest to return them or in case you know what these are and they are inert you may use them.

 

[Sauceboat]

That isn’t dragon stone, but on first appearance I think it would be good to test them for PH altering properties. Take a bit of vinegar (or acid if you have it) and put it on the rock. If it fizzes at all it will effect the PH, if not then you’re good.

 

[Megaanemp]

I doubt these are dragon stones. They are also known as ohko rocks and look like these. They are inert in nature. So if you have a chance to get them returned and you don't like them would suggest to return them or in case you know what these are and they are inert you may use them.

Thanks, I’m not sure what they are but I would like to use them, how do I know if they’re inert? Does the vinegar test work? One time someone told me that’s not a reliable way of determining whether or not the rocks are inert.

The fizzing would be obvious right? I don’t see any bubbles unless they’re crazy tiny

 

[Megaanemp]

That isn’t dragon stone, but on first appearance I think it would be good to test them for PH altering properties. Take a bit of vinegar (or acid if you have it) and put it on the rock. If it fizzes at all it will effect the PH, if not then you’re good.

Thanks for the help I’ll give that a try

 

[Sauceboat]

The fizzing would be obvious right? I don’t see any bubbles unless they’re crazy tiny

Yup, I put some on my PH buffering substrate to test the theory and it exploded with bubbles

 

[Megaanemp]

Yup, I put some on my PH buffering substrate to test the theory and it exploded with bubbles

Good to know, thanks again

 

[Lordofwar]

I would also suggest to keep them them in hot water for 2/3 days so that if any parasites are in it they are long gone. Fill the bucket with hot water leave the stones in it, once its back to room temperature pour in hot water again and repeat.

Once you are through then do a ph test of the normal water that you would be using prior and after dipping the stones in it for 24 hrs.

 

[Megaanemp]

I would also suggest to keep them them in hot water for 2/3 days so that if any parasites are in it they are long gone. Fill the bucket with hot water leave the stones in it, once its back to room temperature pour in hot water again and repeat.

Once you are through then do a ph test of the normal water that you would be using prior and after dipping the stones in it for 24 hrs.

Thanks I’ll do that as well

 

[DoraCory]

Pretty cool looking stones even if they're not dragon stone

 

[MacZ]

They are a type of limestone or sandstone.

You just tested with vinegar? You need something more acidic. Vinegar essence or lemon juice usually do the trick. The fizzing does not have to be very obvious. Drop some on it, and wait 5 min. If in that time bubbles appear they are going to leech in the tank and raise hardness but not necessarily the pH depending on the hardness of your tapwater. If you want the bubbles easily visible, put the stone slowly in a glas of water after dripping it with tha acidic liquid. You don't see any then, you're fine.
The slower the reaction the less chance of changes.

If it starts bubbling an fizzing immediately, great candidates for a rift lake cichlid tank, brackish or straight up saltwater, but nothing else.

 

[Megaanemp]

They are a type of limestone or sandstone.

You just tested with vinegar? You need something more acidic. Vinegar essence or lemon juice usually do the trick. The fizzing does not have to be very obvious. Drop some on it, and wait 5 min. If in that time bubbles appear they are going to leech in the tank and raise hardness but not necessarily the pH depending on the hardness of your tapwater. If you want the bubbles easily visible, put the stone slowly in a glas of water after dripping it with tha acidic liquid. You don't see any then, you're fine.
The slower the reaction the less chance of changes.

If it starts bubbling an fizzing immediately, great candidates for a rift lake cichlid tank, brackish or straight up saltwater, but nothing else.

Thanks for the reply I’ll try again with lemon juice. My water hardness is 0-1 degree so maybe a little bit of calcium wouldn’t be so bad, I’m also leaving them in a bucket of water with an air stone running to see what changes happen.

 

[Utar]

Another way to test any rock is to try scratching it with a knife. Soft rocks usually are not a good idea to use in your aquarium. Because they can dissolve over time changing the water chemistry of your tank water. Personally I only use hard rocks, that pass this test for my tanks. But as said before, boil the rocks to kill any unwanted bad guys living there.

 

[Megaanemp]

Another way to test any rock is to try scratching it with a knife. Soft rocks usually are not a good idea to use in your aquarium. Because they can dissolve over time changing the water chemistry of your tank water. Personally I only use hard rocks, that pass this test for my tanks. But as said before, boil the rocks to kill any unwanted bad guys living there.

Good to know thank you

 

[DoraCory]

Never boil rocks, they can explode.

Simply put them in a bucket and pour boiling hot water on to them. Dump the water out and pour more fresh boiling water on them.

 

[Megaanemp]

Never boil rocks, they can explode.

Simply put them in a bucket and pour boiling hot water on to them. Dump the water out and pour more fresh boiling water on them.

Thanks I’ll try that! Right now I have them in a bucket of water for a few days to see if they alter parameters. But will definitely disinfect them with boiling water befor they go into any tanks if I decide to use them

 

[MacZ]

Never boil rocks, they can explode.

Simply put them in a bucket and pour boiling hot water on to them. Dump the water out and pour more fresh boiling water on them.

Erm... wasn't the thing to not put them in a fire? That doesn't apply to every type of stone as far as I know. Porous volcanic stones for sure, but a dense quarz or a sandstone is safe to boil. On the other hand... it's only getting the water to boil and turning off the stove usually.

 

[Utar]

Never boil rocks, they can explode.

Simply put them in a bucket and pour boiling hot water on to them. Dump the water out and pour more fresh boiling water on them.

I boil mine outside and no explosions, they boiled for a couple of hours. The only way that will happen is if a combustible gas is trapped inside the rock and so far the twenty or so rocks I have boiled like this did not explode.

 

[DoraCory]

I boil mine outside and no explosions, they boiled for a couple of hours. The only way that will happen is if a combustible gas is trapped inside the rock and so far the twenty or so rocks I have boiled like this did not explode.

Good for you, that 20 times you didn't kill or maim yourself or others. Will you be so lucky next time?

 

[MacZ]

Good for you, that 20 times you didn't kill or maim yourself or others. Will you be so lucky next time?

It really depends on the type of rock. Your concern is not without reason but it does not apply to every type of rock.

 

[A201]

I agree with MacZ some of those rocks look to be limestone.
Using limestone in a FW tank will bump up the PH perhaps as high as 8.3, depending on the current PH and hardness of the tap.
The PH of the water in my area is naturally 8.2. The 200 + lbs. of limestone hardscape in my tank doesn't move the PH needle. Over the years I've successfully keep numerous varieties Tetras, Barbs, Loaches, catfish & Cichlids, including Discus in it with no problems. Hard water can negatively effect breeding in certain species.
I've never cleaned a rock by boiling or scalding. Some of my rocks weigh between 30 lbs. - 50 lbs. way too big for a pot. Rinsing a rock with used tank water has always been enough.
Although the aquarium environment is a closed system, it isn't a sterile one. In most cases a little residule dirt & grime on a new rock won't hurt anything.

 

[Megaanemp]

I agree with MacZ some of those rocks look to be limestone.
Using limestone in a FW tank will bump up the PH perhaps as high as 8.3, depending on the current PH and hardness of the tap.
The PH of the water in my area is naturally 8.2. The 200 + lbs. of limestone hardscape in my tank doesn't move the PH needle. Over the years I've successfully keep numerous varieties Tetras, Barbs, Loaches, catfish & Cichlids, including Discus in it with no problems. Hard water can negatively effect breeding in certain species.
I've never cleaned a rock by boiling or scalding. Some of my rocks weigh between 30 lbs. - 50 lbs. way too big for a pot. Rinsing a rock with used tank water has always been enough.
Although the aquarium environment is a closed system, it isn't a sterile one. In most cases a little residule dirt & grime on a new rock won't hurt anything.

Thanks for the reply, I’m thinking I may not use them, but I will see how my little experiment goes though I don’t think I’ll have the results I’m hoping for

 

[A201]

Here's a couple of pics of some soft water fish I kept long term in conjunction with an XL limestone hardscape. Good luck with your new hardscape.