Rocks From The Creek?

my second tank is clean
is it ok to use native rocks and sand
for the gravel bottom?
my uncle has a small stream that runs
across his farm rocks will be from there.
do i need to boil or clean them some what
before i add them to the tank?

They should be fine unless the stream is polluted. I usually give gravel a quick rinse before adding it to the tank, no more; if you want to disinfect it bleach is better than boiling (heated rocks can fracture or burst). Just soak the gravel in a mild bleach solution, rinse thoroughly, then soak in water with a heavy dose of dechlorinator.

They should be fine unless the stream is polluted. I usually give gravel a quick rinse before adding it to the tank, no more; if you want to disinfect it bleach is better than boiling (heated rocks can fracture or burst). Just soak the gravel in a mild bleach solution, rinse thoroughly, then soak in water with a heavy dose of dechlorinator.

Ok thanks

I have many many beautiful rocks in my tank. I love them. I use a wire brush and warm/hot water to clean the dirt and algea off. I also use the wire brush to accent/highlight different parts of each rock. You can change the coloration by brusing hard/light/etc...

Most local streams where I live have slate type rock on the banks, however the Cumberland river where my parents live have shores full of beautifully colored and shaped (more rounded) river rocks. I have many shapes and sizes in my tank and my darter LOVE them. seen here http://forum.nanfa.o...?showtopic=5643
I'm constantly changing the arrangements in the tank for the fish.

I would be careful of using bleach/soaps. Some rocks, such as the ones I have tend to have really small holes in them and you wouldn't want bleach or soap to be left in one hole. Most of the times you can't see the holes but when I add them to the tank, tiny air bubbles will come out for hours... just my 2cents

Same story here. I outfitted my 75 gal with sand and limestone rocks from the creek that passes through my farm. Didn't prep the rocks in any way, as the creek is spring fed and quite clean. Straight in they went, after I filled the tank with creek water. Any excess algae is taken care of by the crawfish.

It has worked out quite well. I've built two stacks of flat creek rocks, separated by pebbles to leave spaces. The darters love it, sort of an apartment complex for them. My new 5" logperch, dug it's own nest under one of the bottom rocks. Also used two large limestone slabs to form a backdrop, my big dusky darter spends a lot of it's time behind one of them.

It's what I use. I good rinsing ( I made a gravel washer once, but it has long since disintegrated) and you're good to go.