Can I use the rocks that I found along the river in my aquarium? I know they need to be free from little critters. How can I get them ready for the tank. Should I boil them and keep them in the hot water till the water cools? Thanks
I just scrub off the dirt and use them, but most of my rocks come from dry areas.
Be very careful boiling them. Put the rocks in a pot of cool (room temperature) water and raise the temperature slowly. When you are done boiling them turn the heat off, but keep the rocks in the pot. Allow the whole set up to come to room temperature before handling the rocks.
Other option is to scrub the rocks using bleach or hydrogen peroxide or strong salt water solution. The rocks could soak in one of these as long as you want, too.