safe rocks

Question
I recently purchased landscape rocks and added them to my new aquarium.  Are there any rocks that are unsafe for tropical fish.  We have experienced an outbreak of what appears to be ich, but it hit hard and fast, so Im curious about the rock.

Answer
Hi Donna;

Avoid Limestone, Marble, or rocks that look like they have metallic spots or veins. Also avoid shells, coral, or other decorations that appear to be calcium formed.

Rocks that are okay are granite, slate, quartz, onyx, and petrified wood. Most smooth and/or polished river stones are okay too, but avoid those that look like they are from the unsafe group.

You mentioned you have a new tank so the fish could be experiencing the effects of "New Tank Syndrome". Here is a link to my article about it to know what's going on in your tank;

http://www.xanga.com/Expert_Fish_Help

If it looks like your fish have been sprinkled with salt, it's ich. If it is more like blotches or fuzzy patches or something else, it isn't ich. It could be from New Tank Syndrome or a disease. Let me know what the symptoms are and we can go from there.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins