Question: Sealing rocks?

[Hamamelis]

Slightly daft question, but I'm setting up my first 'proper' axy tank, and I was wondering if there's any way I could use some shale covered in ammonite fossils I collected a month or so ago.

I know shale is not really a suitable rocks for tanks, as it can a) contain unwanted substances and b) tends to dissolve, but are there any coatings I could get that would seal the rock and make it safe?

I've seen wood with some kind of shiny coating that was sold as aquarium safe, but what is it, would it be OK to use with rocks, and has anyone tried? I won't add it if I'm not certain, but it'd be really nice if I could work out a way of using it...

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Olivia97]

No, because wood is absorbent and and shale isn't. Therefore any coatings won't hold

 

[Kaysie]

You could always set the shale up behind the tank, as a 'backdrop'.

 

[CJ1981]

Years ago my brother tried something similar (it was with a Thundercats doll but the principle is the same ). He tried coating it with aquarium sealant and a wide variety of things. The up shot was that it looked great for a short time but kept peeling off longer term. I'd action Kaysie's suggestion if I were you :happy:

 

[Hamamelis]

Ahh, thought it probably wouldn't work. It's a fairly thick bit, and the tank's too close to the wall, so I can't put it behind the tank unfortunately.

Oh well, thanks anyway, back to the decor hunt!

 

[axiekeeper]

This sealant for wood that was for sale, could u post up on that. What is it made of? Name of product?
Shale is actually quite absorbent along with most stones, in fact they can be sealed with boiled linseed oil (not for aquarium use) this is an ancient stonelayers sealent to preserve the stone. On the other hand plastic is very nonporous and its difficult to get things to bond to it.
Im mostly interested in it for the wood part but depending on what its made of it may be able to seal stone. Have you tested this shale in water to see if it affects water paramers or dissolves?

 

[Olivia97]

Shale can release hydrocarbons that will collect as an oily scum on top of the water. However a great way to test it, is get a test piece, hose it off and scrub with a hard wire brush. Then leave it to soak in a bucket of water for 24 hours. Then repeat the hosing and scrubbing if you see particles coming off then don't use it, again if you see oil on top of the water, also don't use it.