Good or Bad Aquarium Rocks
- Thread starter Sciroccoman
- Start date
So if not, What is good and what is bad? ...as far as what rocks and stone to put into your freshwater aquariums? I know certain rocks release minerals, be it harmful, or beneficiary. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Sciroccoman;2786105; said:So if not, What is good and what is bad? ...as far as what rocks and stone to put into your freshwater aquariums? I know certain rocks release minerals, be it harmful, or beneficiary. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
It all depends on the stock you keep. You can use certain rocks to buffer PH which is great for Africans but not the best ideal for a softwater species. What kind of rock do you plan on using and what kind of fish?
Those things are inert epoxy. They'll be fine.
There are three main groups of rocks you want to beware:
Soluble basic/alkaline rocks- limestone, marble, aragonite, certain sandstones, gypsum. These stones can raise your hardness and pH. They are fine with most fish, beneficial to some fish (such as Rift Lake cichlids), and harmful to a few fish (some sensitive blackwater species). The 'acid test' will usually identify these- a few drops of vinegar or other acid will fizz on the stone.
Sharp or gritty rocks- certain sandstones, lava rocks, etc. These can be harmful to soft-skinned bottom-dwellers such as catfish or lungfish, and grazers such as cories and loaches. Easily identified by feel.
Toxic rocks- rocks containing copper, lead, arsenic, or other toxic metals, sulfur compounds, or which have been exposed to toxic pollutants fall into this group. Being sure you don't have one of these requires some more intensive knowledge, but rest assured, you probably won't find these at the pet store or landscaping yard.
There are three main groups of rocks you want to beware:
Soluble basic/alkaline rocks- limestone, marble, aragonite, certain sandstones, gypsum. These stones can raise your hardness and pH. They are fine with most fish, beneficial to some fish (such as Rift Lake cichlids), and harmful to a few fish (some sensitive blackwater species). The 'acid test' will usually identify these- a few drops of vinegar or other acid will fizz on the stone.
Sharp or gritty rocks- certain sandstones, lava rocks, etc. These can be harmful to soft-skinned bottom-dwellers such as catfish or lungfish, and grazers such as cories and loaches. Easily identified by feel.
Toxic rocks- rocks containing copper, lead, arsenic, or other toxic metals, sulfur compounds, or which have been exposed to toxic pollutants fall into this group. Being sure you don't have one of these requires some more intensive knowledge, but rest assured, you probably won't find these at the pet store or landscaping yard.
That's basically what I was getting at with my point, I think the landscape supply might be a little cheaper. Thank you Noto for the rest of the information you put forth, I am a little more enlightened
...I am keeping Malawi Mbunas in three different tanks, a 30g tall, 30g long, and a ten for grow out purposes. The fish need more hiding spots...
The african's would like the added hardness and higher PH of the ilmestone and others. In fact, they commonly like a PH that's pretty high.