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Okay, I searched all the pas threads and I didn't find anything specific, so I have to start my own thread

I was given about 10 lbs of different sizes of agates. The rocks are all highly polished and are all different colors and Im guessing, made up of different things. I was only planning on putting a few of them in the tank.

Would these be okay? Do I have to do the vinegar and boiling? What is everyone's opinion?

Thanks

since they are crystal rock i think they are ok, but i would do a vinegar test just to make sure.

Also all the water minerals will take the polished look off of them, so you might want to varnish them with epoxy clear varnish or a thin coat of silicone.

Hi,
Agate is a variety of Quartz (SiO2) and is safe for
an aquarium. Generally they are tossed into a machine
similiar to a cement mixer, a polishing compound is
added, and they are tumbled with the compound until
the edges are rounded and the surfaces polished smooth
and shiny. In some cases they are covered with a clear
paint finish.

Over time bacteria may grow on the surfaces, dulling
them, or if they are coated, the finish may deteriorate.
Coating them with silicone, will hasten the dulling
as the acetic acid that it gives off while curing
will etch the surface of the stone. Silicone also
provides a perfect surface for bacteria to grow, and
their coating will also dull the surface of the rock.
Silicone does not cure to a transparent crystal clear
coating, and in water will turn a cloudy color.

Personally, I'd just put the rocks in a nice arrangement
in the tank as they are and enjoy them.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Thanks! I put them in vinegar yesterday, and none seemed to bubble. I also boiled them to be sure. I then filled a little dish with water from my tank, and then tested the pH on the dish. I put the rocks in there and will wait a week to see how the water changes before adding them to the tank.

If what I read in other threads is correct, the only thing I need to worry about is the pH right? since the vinegar and boiling were done.

Thanks again

Hi,
Actually Carbonate rocks will affect the hardness
and pH of the water.

Yours, are not carbonates so boiling your rocks
would only kill any bacteria growing on them.
If they had been self collected, would kill
any small "critters" that were living in the
cracks of the rocks.

In your case, if you purchased them at a pet
store, the boiling would probably also remove any
insecticide that might have gotten on them.

Frankly, I'd just toss 'em in the tank now,
after cooling.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Well, I was given them by a relative, and I am guessing they were all self found and polished. Some of them definetly look like agates (can see the layers, etc) others just look like pretty polished river rock. Thats why I am a little nervous. But hey, they should be good right after they have been polished and boiled..etc...

Thanks for the good info.