HOW TO: Aquarium safe rocks TUTORIAL

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Aquarium safe rocks. A basic break down on how to figure out which rocks are safe for your aquarium.
A lot of times, aquarium hobbyists like to find their own rocks, yet a common question they will ask is: Which rocks are safe for my aquarium.
This is my way of figuring out what you can and probably shouldn't use, by using a process of elimination by way of simple testing.

[@MrToday2000]

on a geology class field trip i found a 10 kg(22 lb) rock that i loved so i carried it 5KM just to put it in my tank

[@quantumaxe6468]

MrToday2000 did you impress any girls?

[@trippyhippy2110]

Lmao did something similar, was with a group of friends at a lake, down a 100 yard probably 30% or 40% incline/decline and so you could imagine the fun I had hauling all the rocks I found that I liked back up to the car after xD. Thankfully my buddies helped or it would have been a looot of trips up and down.

[@CircularMirror7]

Xan Beerboy if he's in a geology class he should know what it is. Lol

[@dbgdbrgdfg6882]

I did something similar. Not on a class field trip but after school (high school) going to the creeks with my friends to smoke weed. I found this nice huge rock and put it in my backpack. They all thought it was weird but oh well. It happened in 2013 and that rock is still with me lol

[@mozfan2436]

Pix or it didn't happen

[@TheFNProductionz]

As a geologist I applaud your explanation of the rocks. Very accurate

[@yucong8724]

I wonder what's the reason for judging a rock safe if it passes hardness test. It can still be chemically unstable and brings up pH in your tank, no?

[@curtismercier9877]

When would u do a wood collecting tutorial man? it has been 3 years man ,we r still waiting!

[@11Mac1986]

I concur.

[@BensMiniToons]

Nearly 5.

[@B88-j8n]

It’s been 5

[@logankaye9806]

5 years

[@kelseyalmy9770]

First put acid on wood....if it bubbles...😄😄

[@Lady_Jay42]

Would love to see a wood collecting tutorial! :)

[@ronriggs9954]

give her the wood, Joey. hahaaa

[@inmadit4006]

Me too

[@westcraven078]

sad person

[@kinsgabil5004]

Yes

[@taoutdoors8110]

Same!!

[@thesidekick6]

shiny specs have almost nothing to do with heavy metal content.... you basicly told everyone to avoid mica(it wont effect your water). if you did find metallic flakes(actual metal), most are insoluble and wont change anything. so if you actually want to avoid heavy metals learn what they actually looks like in nature(sulfide, oxide, etc, these rarely look metalic)... iron- yellow and red coloration in rocks(can also look like any black or grey rock), copper- blue to green coloration in rocks as well as gold and iridescent rocks... zinc, tin, etc- good luck, there isn't space in a comment to give a quick guide to recognizing these if you dont know what your looking for

[@itzame2127]

Im super interested in knowing more, any place to start? I got a huge pile in my propperty and want to know if i can use them safely

[@Zante_on_google]

Yes, a video about how to choose and prepare wood would definitely be interesting, more than the rocks video. (Not that this wasn't)

[@thekingofdiy]

Zante Wood is arguably easier.

[@Zante_on_google]

***** I don't know. Calcareous rocks are easy to recognise with the acid test, but what about different wood with different resins and toxins inside? Can chestnut be used? Cherry? Broom? Rocks sink by themselves, how do you get wood to sink? Is there wood that will never get waterlogged enough to sink? ... and so on.

[@RyanLee1986]

I have a 75 gallon tank. I have always wanted to put in a large piece to span the tank, or a couple. Not thick, but thin rather and twisty. How would you boil something that long, say 3-4 feet? How do you make sure all lifeforms that could be residing on or inside the pores are ridden. I am with Zante, we need a wood video!

[@Pray4Mojo1]

+Ryan Lee Nah. All you do is smell the wood and see if it's decaying. If it's crumbling in your hand, and smells like pine or cedar, don't use it and find another piece. That's how easy it is. Rocks are much harder to tell.

[@bentonm2953]

Is there a "wood" video coming any time soon? Really enjoying your tutorials...very informative!

[@thekingofdiy]

Not until the spring or summer. As I look outside and see everything under a couple feet of snow, I can safely assume I won't find and wood.

[@dougkilby7934]

hahaha

[@joenartandmore6647]

lol

[@cashmny78]

Have you tried looking up in the trees?

[@trippyhippy2110]

So is there still a wood collection video on the way? Maybe next spring or right before fall really hits.

[@leannvlewis]

Yes please do a video on safe aquarium woods.

[@kalaprakash7918]

leann lewis not nice

[@Lumelore]

@@kalaprakash7918 That is really obscure reference for people watching aquarium videos.

[@Hekates_Realm]

Great vid, however boiling rocks is unsafe as they may explode.. (Yeah, I thought it was crazy too until I googled a bit more).. I would LOVE to see the wood video as I am a wood fanatic, and sadly all the driftwood my Mummy has in her garden is likely to be Tamboti, which is poisonous.. Also, what would petrified wood fall under for testing? Wood or rock?

[@BackyardObservatory]

Muriatic acid will react with many a number of metals. So even if a rock lacks carbonates but contains a reactive metal, you will get a reaction which results in bubbles. This could be from metals like iron, zinc, aluminium, and so on. So reactions from milky quartz, granite, and such will happen provided the metal content is high enough.

[@timmlombardo9267]

Lol! I'm learning about rocks in school, and used all these methods to find what kind of rock it was! Really cool, and I will probably get some (aquarium safe) rocks for my tank. Thanks man.

[@markroberts6322]

Yes, please do a DIY video on COMMON wood types to use in aquaria. Rock selection is fairly easy, but wood is much more difficult. Thanks for these videos.

[@mrsage4489]

Yeah. Please do it for the wood too.

[@darcandelaria]

Good info! It's funny because when we're driving down the road and I see rocks i make my husband pull over 😂 I just might find the perfect rock for my fishies 😊

[@Androider4Life]

The wood video would be great

[@warman]

Awesome as always! YES, WOOD PLEASE!!!

[@EightJane]

would love a driftwood version of this! Currently looking at spending over $100 just to put a few pieces in my 75g

[@mtc591]

Bring on the Wood please! ;)

[@GavinsAquariums]

Awesome vid as always Joey! I just got back from Kananaskis (Alberta) where I collected some really sweet rocks! And yeah you should totally do a wood video as well.

[@zone07]

Next video should be how you made that river; seriously how to treat and select different types of wood would be great; shops in my area have limited choices. Although I can get them online, I like to look at them closely before buying.

[@mekia02]

Did Joey ever make the video for picking aquarium safe wood?

[@SlimTim_dirty_aquatics]

Fired Up!!! Natural backdrop and tips. I'd like to the similar video on driftwood. Lmao tornadoes and trains

[@RhysParkour]

FYI, anyone having trouble finding Muriatic acid, if you find Hydrochloric acid, it's the same thing.

[@mwmbiermans]

I'm most definitely interested in a similar video about wood for the aquarium. I think there is also way more debate surrounding wood than there is around rocks, so it should make for an interesting video, talking about all different aspects and properties of different wood types.

[@eveningclicks7767]

I would love to use wood from outside but hesitant

[@WobblesandBean]

Can you do a video on how to tell good driftwood from bad, and how to leach the pieces in your kitchen sink/bathtub to make them safe for use?

[@amosgamos1820]

I think any drift wood is safe.. but just to be sure.. soak it in a water overnight then after soaking it with water boil it for 2 hrs much longer the better

[@pattihanson7921]

Could you, please, do a wood video as well?

[@jperdue3567]

Thanks, this video was very informative! I just recently started keeping and added new river rock to my aquarium. Couldn't have done it properly without seeing this first. Great content bud 👍 I've yet to be discouraged or let down by your vlogs.

[@gainxtoughness1676]

Can you please make a video on picking wood? Thanks!

[@whitetrashandhellbound6905]

Post a wood video... I am in your area. I would like to know what is good to use around me. Keep them comming Joey.

[@TerryGShaw]

plus if you take home more rocks the ones that you don't use you can use them for outside landscaping

[@sambouchermusic]

Is it too late to ask for the wood collecting tutorial?

[@wisconative8647]

Wow! What wealth of information you provide us with all your videos! I stumbled upon you on accident searching for videos on bichers, and BOOM! I'm hooked! Thank you for all the video's!!!

[@christreanor6637]

Great video, I had a major tragedy with my aquarium a few years back by putting random rocks in and killed mist of my fish. also cost me around £300 in trying to put it right. iv learnt an awful lot since then and now feel that my tank needs rocks and wood, thanks for this advice and will be checking out you wood video next.....just subscribed....oh,and have a great Christmas.

[@gamwpanagia]

Have you ever added rocks inside without any side effects?

[@tiffanyclark-grove1989]

I did something like that once as well😔

[@TheJellyRaven]

And wood please!

[@skylinevspec000]

Great vid as always. Could you do one on driftwood as well?

[@CyhAnide]

A wood collecting tutorial would be excellent. There are forests galore where I live, and Mopani wood is really expensive.

[@rohit3597]

please tel me how to search wood waiting for the vedio

[@sw201444]

DO. NOT. BOIL. ROCKS. They can explode!

[@viccolasvic9461]

Warm vinegar water and a wash cloth is MORE than enough.

[@dougkilby7934]

It should be close to that time lol. Excited to see the DIY Driftwood Special

[@jakegerry2371]

so if the rock fizzes it is not safe

[@abbystevens5693]

Jake Gerry yep

[@Zlachry]

***** I want a wood video to. Like so many more of us.

[@BREW5KI]

Yes please. A video on knowing which wood is safe would be very useful.

[@lukeholloway7836]

Glad I payed attention in earth science lol

[@jameswahengbam2536]

I collect from stream n boiled it.....is dis ok?

[@jedisushi72]

No. Often air pockets get trapped in a rock, and boiling a rock may occasionally explode it. Also, while boiling will kill any bacteria (limit to 30 seconds of boiling), it will do nothing to remove the harmful minerals that may change your aquarium's pH.

[@craighale8656]

Definitely need to see a wood version, would be super beneficial because drift wood costs a tonne from pet shops!

[@serbudder6510]

I wood like to see a wood video (like my pun lol)

[@imperialfabricationsinc914]

The audio quality of this video is underrated

[@pranavharri244]

wood video please ✌

[@iainrocks84]

Man I could sure go for some sweet "wood collecting video" right about now!

[@warren7565]

Really you think beside a road is safe?? You have cars and trucks dropping oil and then being washed off the road after rain. You have exhaust fumes. If there has been an accident there all kinds of toxic fluid can run onto the road and then on to the ground near the road. VERY BAD ADVICE FINDING ROCKS NEAR A ROAD

[@MrAkirabilly]

Great video. Yes to the wood video.

[@allensurface4310]

yes, need to see what wood you can use please.

[@colin-carolmitch1817]

How to determine what wood is safe for your Aquarium would be brilliant.

[@ScreamingForClemency]

yeah wood vid plz

[@modelmakerz0690]

"...affects pH and alkalinity..." uh, pH is a measure of alkalinity. Also, don't count on bleach evaporating. Bleach should be neutralized with hydrogen peroxide or Novaqua. Novaqua was how we neutralized bleach in the aquarium service I worked at for many years.

[@rawdog268]

I agree with most of what he said,yes the rock that is softer can change your water pram's but it is very very minimal.With a good water change habits that alone will offset any changes to the point you wont even notice on a ph or hardness test.

[@MassachusettsTrainVideos1136]

wood

[@anthonypaolini1020]

I wanted your opinion on new current pluspro led lighting.I just purchased the lights for my new 125 gallon tank.I will stock community fish,angels,etc..I purchased 100 lbs.pool sand and will have live plants using plant food liquid and pills.My question is do the lights offer best light for plants and fish.The led's should last 50,000 hrs./10 years but current warranty is not 10 yrs..Do you feel the lights are the best on market today ? Thank you Joey, Your fan, Anthony

[@Komadin]

I'm no expert but anyone asking about wood, all you should need to do is boil your wood for 30 - 60 minutes and it should be good to go in a tank. Only worry about wood is possible microbes/pathogens living in it which would all die with the boiling water. Not as big as an issue like rocks where they could contain metals and minerals.

[@cedric1886]

Wood. wood, wood, We want wood :-)

[@gptrailers]

thank you this helps

[@DaSlice]

this video was useful to me today, a couple of years after.you made it. I would love to see a video made on finding driftwood in nature... I know I know, you're busy with the gallery. I'm just saying, it would be pretty cool to learn how to find cheap driftwood, much the same as this video on finding rocks.

[@Staffotex]

Do the wood video in the morning. A morning wood video.

[@a.j.m8736]

Hi great video.... what about to use 10g ozone generator with pure water.... like very acid from alkaline/ acid ionizer...to clinze rock?

[@swetasiya1]

Thanks its really help

[@writerandartist]

I would like a wood video. I have some Lake Superior driftwood that looks really sharp, but wood absorbs chemicals and who knows what kind of bacteria. My fish are tropical. Don't know if that's an okay mix: Lake Superior driftwood and tropical fish.

[@chrissalas9099]

wtz up brother luv your videos I'm from NEW MEXICO and I've raised pit Bulls all my life but my daughter has gotten me into fish,we caught a wild large mouth bass and a bluegill in a creek so we seen them now they would've died if we didn't take them home do you have any ideas that'll help us raise them the bass is growing quick basically what size tank should I build?

[@malsurvives]

The other thing you can do if you're not sure is spray the rocks with a clear matt finish varnish. All harmful materials encased. Just give the varnish a couple of days to ensure that all solvents are evaporated ,-)

[@prakashrao6911]

This is awesome man!! Good tutorial.

[@monkeyfistsye5505]

hey do you have a similar video on driftwood? I live by lake ontario and use to grab wood by the shore and throw it in my tank all i did was wash it lol. Didnt know all this stuff when i was younger

[@cowboyfishgod8904]

i love you

[@PartnerProAlliance]

Hello are Mexican beach pebbles freshwater aquarium safe? I don't want them to mess with the PH. I noticed they look similar to basalt stones but can be found at Lowe's and Home Depot. Where I can only find basalt stones on Etsy for about triple the price.

[@jorgemartinez-jv8vx]

Hi I have a question I want to put a marble statue in my freshwater fish tank and I want to know is it safe for the live plants and the fish.

[@douglashornbeck1170]

NoOo!!! Not if it's actual marble. Marble's made of calcium deposits. Turns the water hard and can raise the pH, most certainly not advised!!

[@jorgemartinez-jv8vx]

Douglas Hornbeck thanks very helpful

[@bexiboo1981]

thanks, that's really helpful.

[@krazedgunner]

I have fossils, petrified wood, Indian hatchet heads and arrow heads in my 10 gallon.

[@emmitstewart1921]

Fossils are often found in limestone rock, which would cause a high PH. Fossils in shale would be relatively harmless. Testing with acid would reveal limestone rock. Test on an area of matrix away from the fossil itself. Many fossils contain bone or shell that would be destroyed by the acid. The fossils themselves seldom have enough mineral to change your PH, but submerging them in water isn't a good idea if they are valuable, since water will slowly dissolve them. Most petrified wood specimens are silicate, which is harmless and often used in aquariums, but some are calcified, which can raise your PH. Test with acid if you're not sure. Arrowheads and stone hatchets are silicate and harmless.

[@roberthamilton9154]

This video is really valuable. Patently waiting for your take on drift wood.

[@-..l]

Oh dang. Im lucky af. I used some random rocks found in my garden, not even close to any water source. Didnt even test the rocks, just cleaned them and dumped them into my aquarium.

[@daveyandmelissaphillipsjr5197]

liked the rock one would love to see the wood too

[@Falconurbex]

I collected lots of rocks before I came across this video I could etch most of them can I still use them. PS I carnt get hold of the vinegar that you used I can only get hold of household vinegar that u would put on your chips can I just use that to test the rocks can anyone let me know

[@lynn541438]

I would love to see the wood video! This video was especially helpful in that I was previously using vinegar. Yuck.

[@Abi-id7bd]

Plz make a video for safe wood

[@mohammadsaadatgoo9954]

hello. You how to clean glue off the Aquarium from beginning to kick off internal adhesive film with English subtitles of the countdown?

[@paulpatterson4983]

Very informative video!! Thank-You!

[@Aqua_Exotics]

Plz do the wood video

[@spiveyc4404]

So I just wanted to clarify... if a rock is harder than steel it’s automatically okay to put in my tank? I’m just making sure before I do anything with the tank.

[@mr.dreadhead0]

The last time I got some rocks from outside and cleaned them and put them in my tank, all my South African Cichlids died😔😔😔

[@michaelglaser1669]

vinegar is fine... just listen to where you poured it, you WILL hear it fizz....

[@quinshane83]

I've put some muratic acid on some rough landscaping stones. it didn't have a reaction. but the look of the rock just cries out "test further ". should I put these in a bucket of conditioned water and test the pH then and after a day or two test ph again? I'm new to the hobby, so any help is appreciated. thanks.

[@TuAmigoElMorrocoy]

If you add vinegar to a rock, many times you cant see the reaction but, you can hear it! I added some vinegar to the rock and I didn't see the reaction, but when I put my ear next to it I could hear it sizzle!

[@Katseye102]

Yes! Please do one one wood for an aquarium! Would be most helpful. I live in the desert and there are a lot that I see when I'm out there, but no idea if it would be good for the tank. Thank s Joey!

[@krislee7495]

Perfect timing Joey. It was only last night that i was looking through your videos to find one on rocks. Im collecting rocks at the moment from my local river in England. Thanks for the great advice

[@krybaby77]

Please do the wood video. I have several really nice pieces soaking right now to remove tannins. But I would like to make sure they are actually "ok" before putting them in the tank.

[@JasonLaveKnotts]

Yo! Why on earth are you suggesting people use a seriously caustic chemical without first including safety information this is irresponsible.

[@Finalcry1]

Great video, but saying that steel has a hardness of 7 on a scale of 1-10 is a bit ridiculous. Different steels vary greatly in hardness, even amongst knives.

[@jabe55]

So if the rock is harder than the knife it is safe for your aquarium. If it isn't then you have to test it further with the acid. No reaction to acid = safe for aquarium Reaction to acid = not safe for aquarium Awesome! I will go rock collecting this summer.

[@--Paws--]

Zack from JerryRigsEverything needs to do a durability test of rocks

[@silverline6399]

Interesting and informative. A video on the correct type of wood is a plus. Thanks for sharing.

[@1701Mackan]

Hello, i wondering what Woods to use or not , like ek/bruse/maple or others near by trees , also what best of root or brenches , should i drain them for a year then lay them in watter for 3 weeks ? And question be bigger and bigger ..... tanks and your vids are verry intresting and i learning a lotta. ☺

[@rayrowley4013]

Seriously? Perimeters? Perimeter is the geometric distance around a shape. I think you mean the parameters which are the measurable aspects of some system, in this case, pH, temp, hardness exc.

[@ChoyBenjie5]

i had this sea rocks and sea shells which is kept in my warehouse for many years ..been thinking of putting this shells and rocks in my tank. will this thing be safe for the tank , considering of boiling and washing them properly?