Beach pebbles/rocks

[strezman]

Just wondering, can adding pebbles or rocks from our local beaches have any negative effects on our reef tanks? Assuming you boil them first? Please let me know your thoughts and or experiences. Thanks!

[e46er]

They could explode boiling them so be careful

[strezman]

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up! Still looking for input.

[Coasting]

Never had a rock explode... That's a new one...

As long as the rocks composition is inert you should be okay. So be careful what you pick.

[hillegom]

As said you do not want the minerals in the rock to leach out so pick rocks carefully.
Rocks will explode if heated too fast in the air ( as when you throw them in a fire.)
Thats because the water in the rock turns to steam and cannot escape fast enough.
Boiling rock in water is ok because the temp will never rise higher than 100 deg C
So no steam as long as the rocks are submerged

[strezman]

Thanks for the responses.. Hmm, this seems to be a silly question. But what do I look for in a safe rock then? Non porous??

[reeferfulton]

i used dozens of granite looking rocks off the beach to place frags on .. I just hand washed with vinegar and water. IMO granite type beach rocks once cleaned wont / cant leach anything.. and make for nice zoo colony rocks.. Its is easier to frag zoos and palys off a smooth granite rock then say a porous reef rock

[WarDog]

Igneous plutonic FTW.

[strezman]

This is turning into a science class really fast lol. Probably the most vague description but, any idea about smooth blueish very solid seeming rocks?? I'm sure a pic would be easier but I can't make it to the beach today

[Coasting]

Elementary school science!!!!
Drip some vinegar on it, does it fizz?


http://www.minsocam.org/msa/collecto...d/rock_key.htm

Most of the rocks we find around here in riverbeds are a pretty safe bet