Rocks from the beach?

There are so many smooth weathered rocks that lie on the beach close to us and look amazing. If I boiled them they should be fine to use, no? My real concern are the nice ones with the green coat of algae on them. Now, first off, what kind of algae is this? Secondly, if I boiled this I would assume the algae would come off. If the rock is thoroughly rinsed instead, would it be ok to use? It would just save the step of having algae slowly takeover the rock via my aquarium light.

 

I have added well cleaned beach rocks / shells to my tanks without any negative effects. I just make sure they're been cleaned really well first.

 

I'll try to put some vinegar or muriatic acid on it, see If anything occurs If it fizzes then no I will not use it.

This rock came from the sea right? A rock that has algae that probably grew in the sea or above the land. I wouldn't put sea algae or terrestrial algae in a freshwater tank (assuming that you keep Freshwater base on your tank profiles). If it is something like a smooth stone I would probably use it, but If is like crushed coral or any type of thing that grew in the ocean keep in mind that It can alter your ph. Which is bad to most aquarium plants.

 

I haven't worried about chemistry much or algae when using rocks from the sea. But I haven't used many rocks. I have used wood much more.

I have had a problem of losing a couple of my Corydoras melanistius who seemed magnetically attracted to some rocks I obtained from the sea. I assume they died as a result of the salt as I heard they are not salt tolerant. I removed the rocks as soon as I was aware of course.

 

Boil (or just pour boiling water on them), rinse, and soak. That should get rid of any unwanted plant life or salt.

 

Well I soaked mine for weeks so maybe there was still salt leaching out or maybe something else.

River rocks from a clean river are best I think. Scotland is good!

 

There are so many smooth weathered rocks that lie on the beach close to us and look amazing. If I boiled them they should be fine to use, no? My real concern are the nice ones with the green coat of algae on them. Now, first off, what kind of algae is this? Secondly, if I boiled this I would assume the algae would come off. If the rock is thoroughly rinsed instead, would it be ok to use? It would just save the step of having algae slowly takeover the rock via my aquarium light.

Should be ok after a thorough cleaning, but do not boil under any circumstances. There may be organisms on them that produce palytoxin, and this is bad news when you boil and thus put it into the air. Clean with vinegar or muratic acid instead, then soak in clean water.

 

Assuming they aren't a type of rock that will alter your water chemistry (or your fish won't mind the changes) you should be fine to use them.

If you have a power washer I'd blast them down with that to handle any dirt/algae/etc and then boil to take care of any microorganisms that may be inclined to hitch a ride into your tank.

By the way if you don't have a power washer a self service car wash will . Just grab some quarters and get washing lol