Hardscape Collected from Wild

Hi All

Do any members here have experience with hardscape collected while generally out and about in nature? I know this is quote a vague question since our country is large with an extremely varied landscape.

I live in Pretoria and have spotted some really great-looking rocks I would like to use for aquarium hardscape but am unsure if they might cause water parameter troubles later down the line. The rocks in question are your typical reddish Highveld stuff. They are deep red in colour (due to iron content, I think). Any thoughts on where or not to give it a shot?

 

The rocks in my Malawi tank were dug out of the side of a hill in JHB. Been in the tank for 20 years with no problems. I just boiled them on.

Generally, the harder they are the less likely that they will affect the water.

Grab a few and sock them in water for a few days and test before and after results, then you know for sure.

 

Mostly what you have to worry about is whether the rock will leach chemicals into the water, usually calcium. If you grab some vinegar, pour it on to the rocks and it fizzes, stay far away. If not, you should be good to go.

In terms of cleaning, don't boil the rocks. If there are any air pockets in the rock, they can expand and cause the rock to shatter explosively which can be really dangerous. Rather scrub them thoroughly, then leave them to soak in a bleach solution for a day or 2. After that, rinse off the bleach then it soak in a dechlorinator and water solution for a day or 2.

 

Billion year old rocks "exploding" from being subjected to 100 degrees, Oookay ;-)

 

I haven't had it happen to me, but i have heard of it happening. Rather safe than sorry

 

Thanks, @fux940510 and @L~C~G .

I will give them a shot this weekend. I will have to go with @fux940510 's suggestion here as I have seen rocks explode first hand.

 

I would just add one thing to this. The acid test is a must. I would suggest however using a slightly stronger acid than vinegar. Vinegar doesn't always react properly. I use pool acid normally. This is overkill however it is what I have laying around at home! I am not advocating using this, but I have noticed that some rocks did not react to vinegar but did react to the pool acid.