slate for tank safe ?
- pointpleco
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slate for tank safe ?
I know not just any slate is safe to put in a fish tank. But i have heard that if its been out of the ground it came from for a long time it is safer. I have slate (that i will add a photo of later) that is years old, has been just laying around my mums garden. If i clean it good and even soak in boiling water will it then be safe for a tank.
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Re: slate for tank safe ?
Perhaps more important: does the slate have streaks of other minerals in it? These can't really be boiled out, but they are what I hear is dangerous in slate.pointpleco wrote: ↑18 Jun 2018, 20:01 I know not just any slate is safe to put in a fish tank. But i have heard that if its been out of the ground it came from for a long time it is safer. I have slate (that i will add a photo of later) that is years old, has been just laying around my mums garden. If i clean it good and even soak in boiling water will it then be safe for a tank.
Also, boiling rocks has the potential to make them explode, so be careful and think about where the bits would ricochet if that happened. They won't have a lot of energy, but I wouldn't stand right over the pot.
- pointpleco
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Re: slate for tank safe ?
Ok thanks for the info, i will look for the mineral streaks and also get a photo today to post later tonight.
Haha that would be bad in the kitchen, i was only going to clean really well in boiled water from kettle.
Haha that would be bad in the kitchen, i was only going to clean really well in boiled water from kettle.
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Re: slate for tank safe ?
I still have a slate bottom aquarium made in the 1950s. Slate is very safe to use. Old slate roofing tiles are great for aquascaping, making caves, etc.
-Shane
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Re: slate for tank safe ?
I've also used plenty of slate, for caves, and just decoration for years. I buy it from a local garden centre, it's much cheaper than an aquatic store.
As mentioned look out for streaks of different colours, the only one I have come across is a rust coloured streak which is iron deposits and seems fairly common in slate around here.
I scrub the slate in a bucket with a stiff brush to get any loose bits off then soak in boiling water for 5 mins. I'm not sure if the boiling water is necessary though.
As mentioned look out for streaks of different colours, the only one I have come across is a rust coloured streak which is iron deposits and seems fairly common in slate around here.
I scrub the slate in a bucket with a stiff brush to get any loose bits off then soak in boiling water for 5 mins. I'm not sure if the boiling water is necessary though.
- pointpleco
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Re: slate for tank safe ?
I finally found some time to get a few pics. I think a few of them that are thinner and better for what i want look very good and clean. Some of the bigger bits have the rusty colour that i worry about.
I have added a few pics and if anyone knows if they look ok or not.
Thanks for the replies and info, i did think similar things like a good clean with hot water also.
I have added a few pics and if anyone knows if they look ok or not.
Thanks for the replies and info, i did think similar things like a good clean with hot water also.