How to test rocks for aquarium?

[dao]

Simple question - how do you test rocks before placing them in aquarium? 

 

It is said that all rocks influence water parameters in some way and I have recently bought some lava, i prepared some buckets filled with ro and the rocks raises tds, gh and kh noticably (gh 3 kh 1 after 48h). After 48 hours the tds went up from 12 to around 40-50. So I called the shop and they told me that when you put rocks into ro something like this will always happen and should i test the rocks in tap there would not be a notocable raise in tds. Your thought on this? 

 

 

[zodiac]

i've heard people say put vinegar on the rock,if it bubbles it will affect the water.

it may raise TDS,but you don't want a change in ph,gh,kh.

normally rocks like lava rock for aquarium are treated before packaged.

i think they do a acid dip.

soaking in a solution of regular bleach and water may do the same thing.

i don't use rocks,so maybe someone that does will chime in.

 

if you use vinegar,wash very well.

if you use bleach,soak with a solution of water and dechlorinator until the smell of bleach is gone.

[Tibee Inc]

5 hours ago, dao said:

Simple question - how do you test rocks before placing them in aquarium? 

 

It is said that all rocks influence water parameters in some way and I have recently bought some lava, i prepared some buckets filled with ro and the rocks raises tds, gh and kh noticably (gh 3 kh 1 after 48h). After 48 hours the tds went up from 12 to around 40-50. So I called the shop and they told me that when you put rocks into ro something like this will always happen and should i test the rocks in tap there would not be a notocable raise in tds. Your thought on this? 

 

 

Hey Dao, I wouldn't use any rocks in my shrimp tanks just to keep things simple & successful.  The reason I say this is because a swing of just 15 TDS can be lethal to a majority of freshwater inverts....

[chappy6107]

muriatic acid is the best acid for testing rocks, but vinegar will work.  with the muriatic acid it only takes a few drops.  If it starts to fizz or bubble it will change your parameters a lot.  With the vinegar, if you have any rocks small enough to go in a clear glass or bowl, then cover with vinegar it will produce bubbles.  (note oxygen will be trapped in the holes of the rock and will escape, but that looks different)

 

I have never tried lava rock with the ro water test.  I have always been told lava rock was inert.  I guess as porous as lava rock is, there may be something down in some of the pores causing the change in parameters.