Rocks can release chemicals In Aquarium?

I was reading up on fish and somewhere it said not to put rocks in your aquarium that they can release a chemical. I bought these rocks from the pet store and have had them for months.
Does anyone know if this is true?

 

I haven't ever heard of large river stones being in your aquarium.
I have some in my tank and they do nothing to harm anything in the tank.

I would like to know where you read that, it's extremely false, whoever wrote it.

 

Agreed, river rock is unlikely to release chemicals.

Exceptions would be if they are polished with anything chemical (unlikely, those just look like river stones) or if they are high in calcium carbonates which would raise your pH.

I think it’s safe to say don’t put unknown rocks in your aquarium, but I have river stone in all of mine.

I’d be more concerned about the white sort of sparkly decoration you have, personally, depending on what it’s made of.

 

I was reading up on fish and somewhere it said not to put rocks in your aquarium that they can release a chemical. I bought these rocks from the pet store and have had them for months. View attachment 437534 Does anyone know if this is true?

Hello Chan...

Rocks are fine as long as they pass the "Vinegar Test". Put a little of it one the piece and see if there's a reaction of any kind. If there is, don't use it. If not, rinse well and it's tank ready.

Old

 

I'm assuming the OP means the false ornaments in the pics & not the stones??? If that's the case then it depends on what they're made from, good quality ones bought from a reputable LFS should be fine but I know that some cheap ones can flake paint off into the water column as they deteriorate. I use rocks & stones in all the tanks I've had over the years & never had any problems, as long as they're a hard stone & not calciferous like limestone it shouldn't effect the water, just make sure they're really clean & have been boiled for a good while before placing in the tank & to be totally sure you can do a 'fizz test' on them by dropping an acid on the rock & see if it bubbles & fizzes, if it does bin it.

 

I’m no

I haven't ever heard of large river stones being in your aquarium.
I have some in my tank and they do nothing to harm anything in the tank.

I would like to know where you read that, it's extremely false, whoever wrote it.

I'm not sure what site it was I was just doing google research. If I see it again I will take note and let you know!

Agreed, river rock is unlikely to release chemicals.

Exceptions would be if they are polished with anything chemical (unlikely, those just look like river stones) or if they are high in calcium carbonates which would raise your pH.

I think it’s safe to say don’t put unknown rocks in your aquarium, but I have river stone in all of mine.

I’d be more concerned about the white sort of sparkly decoration you have, personally, depending on what it’s made of.

Are you speaking of my mushroom house? I just purchased it off amazon and I did boil it. Do you think that is unsafe in my tank?

 

There are literally thousands upon thousands of different kinds of rocks. Some can be safely used in an aquarium and some can't so a blanket statement of rocks can't be used or rocks can be used shouldn't be made.

Other posters have already posted the method of testing to verify whether or not any particular rock can be used. I posted it so maybe this statement will come up on a google search to counteract the one that confused you

Most rock can be used if they are cleaned properly but some should not be used at all because the can mess with the chemistry by lowering or raising the GH/PH of the water. Sometimes a good thing but not always.

You didn't say so but the rocks in your tank do look to be normal smooth river rocks so I think they should be fine.

 

Porous rocks are going to be likely candidates for suspicion than smooth rocks - however most rocks sold in pet store generally are safe for aquariums, some may cause ph to rise.
Rocks that are porous collected outside should be tested thoroughly before being placed into a tank because they may harbor something undesirable.

 

Are you speaking of my mushroom house? I just purchased it off amazon and I did boil it. Do you think that is unsafe in my tank?

I think if it's from a reputable manufacturer and is certified for aquarium use it should be just fine. Check it once in a while to ensure the paint isn't flaking off or anything like that and I would imagine you are good to go!