Slate in fishtank

So what are you thoughts on slate in a community tank ?
any ideas where to get decent slate?

 

think at most of those garden centers they sell.. should be safe.. but do the vinegar test before hand and also wash them properly..

 

Most slate available is good slate, provided it hasn't been coated/treated with anything and doesn't have concrete on it. If you're getting it from anywhere other than a pet store, let it soak for a bit. Rocks that come 'from nature' and from garden centres have been exposed to certain chemicals that you don't want in your tank.

 

@shihr how does the vinigar test work exactly?
@ SalmonAfrica , so would Slasto ( taken out from a floor still work ) ?

 

Probably not a good idea. If you can remove all the cement properly, and then the years and years of chemical buildup (cleaning fluids) that are on the tile maybe... bearing in mind that a lot of chemicals would penetrate the slasto

 

Slate is a wonderful stone to use in aquariums. As the stone is relatively soft, there are so many interesting configurations and designs you can setup with a little imagination.
I get my slate from a tile shop.

All slate is not equal.There are different kinds of slate each with their own idiosyncracy.
IMO try stay away from the
1. brittle ones, they break very easily resulting in sharp edges
2. The ones with many colors in them. I am not too sure what makes those colours so I just stay away from them (think its iron oxide)
3. Very thick slate(15mm), as I have found Lichen between the layers
4. Flaky slate, is very difficult to work with.

Slate absorbs very little water so remember to wash them out and do the vinegar test.
What you looking for is 100% natural untreated slate. Polished or not that is up to you.

I should keep this write up, as lots of people ask similar questions.

 

@Khalid or write up an article on slate... pro's and con's and uses!

 

I have only recently (1 year )started working with slate, so I am not the expert as yet. Still learning myself.
Most of my experience is already shared in the above post.For the uses, your imagination and google will help.

 

vinegar test is when u scrape the surface of the rock in question to get a sandy sample of the rock, use a drop of vinegar. if it reacts (bubbles) it will change the ph of your tank.. yes @ khalid, your advice is good.. but i'd say, iron oxide isnt bad for your tank, (iron for plants) but it will crumble in time as it oxidises/rusts..

 

Should make a big diff. Why no body mentioned this before?