Beach rocks leach salt?

[ClariasBatrachus]

Hi, I recently filled my 120 gallon tank with black smooth rocks that I found at the ocean. They are all the same kind and they are not porous. They have been in the tank for over a week now and the fish (cichlids, catfish, and gouramis) have not shown any signs that they are being affected by the rocks. I was wondering, though, is there any way that they may leach salt into the water? I wouldn't think so because I soaked the rocks and scrubbed them all very well, but I thought I would confirm. I don't have any instruments to measure salinity and I'd rather not go out any buy one for no reason

Also, for future refference, if I am using the wrong kind of rock ( I couldn't tell you what I am using now, I'm not geologist ) what kind of natural rock can be used safely?

 

[q_fish]

river rock, and stones.. but i dink ur rock should be ok.. cause if it leakin salt, ur fish would know it by now.

 

[Poptarts356]

if the rock where to leach salt it would probably be such a small amount that it wouldnt affect you water hardly if at all

 

[Toby_H]

I don't think either of the above conclusions are reliable...

It is possible for the rocks to have salt pockets that slowly dissolve and slowly increase the salinity of the tank to dangerous/harmful levels...

It is possible the rocks have no salt deposits what so ever...

It could have been possible for them to have soft salt pockets that dissolved quickly causing fast increases of salinity...

Based on what we have been given... we just can't say anything with certainty...


You can buy a hydrometer at a pet store for a few bucks. If you know anyone with a salt water tank they will have one. If you have a half decent private LFS that has salt water you could take a sample of your water in for them to test. Though you may want to monitor it over time to ensure it doesn't build up.

Keep in mind small salt concentrations are not harmful to freshwater fish.


I think it's unlikely that your rocks are going to cause problems... and if they do cause problems I think it's more likely to be a PH problem than a salt problem...

 

[ClariasBatrachus]

I don't think either of the above conclusions are reliable...

It is possible for the rocks to have salt pockets that slowly dissolve and slowly increase the salinity of the tank to dangerous/harmful levels...

It is possible the rocks have no salt deposits what so ever...

It could have been possible for them to have soft salt pockets that dissolved quickly causing fast increases of salinity...

Based on what we have been given... we just can't say anything with certainty...




You can buy a hydrometer at a pet store for a few bucks. If you know anyone with a salt water tank they will have one. If you have a half decent private LFS that has salt water you could take a sample of your water in for them to test. Though you may want to monitor it over time to ensure it doesn't build up.

Keep in mind small salt concentrations are not harmful to freshwater fish.


I think it's unlikely that your rocks are going to cause problems... and if they do cause problems I think it's more likely to be a PH problem than a salt problem...

thank you, I will check my ph and salinity levels weekly then