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Just wondering if you have to "cure" rocks before they are place in an aquarium? (Basically... how would you clean a rock before placing it in the tank?)

Well, it depends on the rock. If it is a rock from the store, then you will want to just give it a good rinsing. Get any dust and debris off of it.

If it is a rock you have found outside, you may want to be careful and make sure that it is safe for your aquarium. Some rocks leach calcium into the tank, raising the hardness and pH.

Also, I just have to add, curing rocks is a process for saltwater aquariums. If you are talking about adding "live rock" to your aquarium, think again. Live rock gets its name from everything that grows on it. Algae, corals, sponges, little critters, and many other things. Basically, the rock itself isn't living, but is COATED with tons of living things. If you put live rock in a FW aquarium, all those living things would die, and that would be a BIG problem for your aquarium.

im guessing that you are talking about rocks from outside. i would say give them a scrub with a brand new scrubber (so as not to get any chemicals off a old one). then let them soak in your kitchen sink for 24 hours.

MONKEYS ARE COOL, BUT SEA-MONKEYS ARE BETTER.

My buddy Rasco up there's got it.

If you're concerned about the effect your newly acquired rock will have on your aquarium, do this simple test. Run some tap water and fill up a suitable container big enough for your rock. Let it sit for a while (overnight if possible) and take a pH reading. Add rock(s) and let it sit overnight as well. Take another reading and see where it is. If you have an adverse effect on the pH, you're probably better off not putting it in. If you REALLY wanna put the rock in, you can coat it with a clear, non toxic epoxy found in some auto parts stores.

Obviously avoid the rocks with iron vanes and limestone/calcite if possible, as these will raise pH and hardness values through the roof.

I've got a whole list as to what is safe at home, i'll have to post it again somewhere.

Hi HALW_Fish ,

I would say that the statements above are absolutely correct.

But I would like to add that some rocks are actually added to the tank to do exactly what you have been warned above, namely raise the hardness and the ph. For example, people with a low ph/hardness add them to their African cichlid tanks.

So, what fish do you have?

Ingo

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Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The tank i'm going for is w/ 2 Angels -- not sure what else is going in at this point (havent even got the tank yet just planning)