How do I find out if a certain rock is raising my water hardness?

**ZooTycoonMaster** · 05-08-2008, 03:04 PM

Do I drop it in a container of vinegar or something?

honor · 05-08-2008, 03:19 PM

i think you put a dab of vinegar on it and if it starts to bubble or foam after awhile then it's leeching minerals into your water.

Darkblade48 · 05-08-2008, 07:04 PM

Or, you could put the rock into a bucket of water, let it sit for (say) a few days, and then test the hardness of the water as well. Though the vinegar method is easier

**mpodolan** · 05-09-2008, 02:07 AM

To be even more conclusive, use muriatic acid. Not all stones will react to the vinegar method. Using acid is the fastest and easiest, IMHO, but I do understand that most folks don't just have it around the house

**ZooTycoonMaster** · 05-10-2008, 11:51 PM

Is there anything we can coat on the rock (Zebra Rock specifically) to make it lose it's buffering capabilities?

**fishsandwitch** · 05-11-2008, 04:58 AM

AFAIK zebra rock does not buffer. I tested mine with muriatic acid.

You could coat it silicon...thats all I can think of. And if you are going to put silicon coated rocks in you tank you might as well just poop in it.

05-08-2008, 03:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZooTycoonMaster It's only a flesh wound! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Clara, California Posts: 1,296	How do I find out if a certain rock is raising my water hardness? Do I drop it in a container of vinegar or something? __________________ 10 Gallon Planted Tank

05-08-2008, 07:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Darkblade48 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 164	Or, you could put the rock into a bucket of water, let it sit for (say) a few days, and then test the hardness of the water as well. Though the vinegar method is easier __________________ Anthony If you find my advice helpful, be sure to click the reputation button (it's on the left, and they look like a pair of scales)

05-09-2008, 02:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
mpodolan A work in progress (View User Tanks) PTrader: (58) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lenox, MI Posts: 1,321	To be even more conclusive, use muriatic acid. Not all stones will react to the vinegar method. Using acid is the fastest and easiest, IMHO, but I do understand that most folks don't just have it around the house __________________ Mike 10" Cube 10g Shrimp tank 20g planted 50g planted

05-10-2008, 11:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
ZooTycoonMaster It's only a flesh wound! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Clara, California Posts: 1,296	Is there anything we can coat on the rock (Zebra Rock specifically) to make it lose it's buffering capabilities? __________________ 10 Gallon Planted Tank

05-11-2008, 04:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
fishsandwitch Shrimper wannabe guru! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: United States Posts: 1,359	AFAIK zebra rock does not buffer. I tested mine with muriatic acid. You could coat it silicon...thats all I can think of. And if you are going to put silicon coated rocks in you tank you might as well just poop in it. __________________ shrimp chimp 20 gallon red cherry shrimp breeding tank 20 gallon long snowball shrimp breeding tank 20 gallon long tiger breeding tank

05-08-2008, 03:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
honor Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 379	i think you put a dab of vinegar on it and if it starts to bubble or foam after awhile then it's leeching minerals into your water.

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