Question about saltwater reef rock

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Scrappy71113

Scrappy71113

Polypterus
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Feb 13, 2021
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I absolutely love the look of saltwater reef rock (unsure of the name, but the white rocks used in reef tanks).
Well, there's a place not far from me that has TONS of this stuff for sale. It's not live rock, it's dry, sitting out on a pallet.
Would this stuff be safe for a freshwater aquarium, specifically for peacock cichlids? Or would it mess with my water too much?
Definitely don't want to go out and waste money on this stuff just to have it kill $200 worth of fish.
 
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Should be safe,if the seller is a pet place but I would still give the rock a good hose rinse and scrubbing,maybe even a good soaking as well.
 
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Agree with K krichardson the rocks aka base rock reef safe. Overtime with the right lighting and additional help with live rock base rock will be covered in Coraline Algae, and sponges. I personally have base rock that was purchased as live rock but decided to leave Saltwater keeping. I may use it again one day maybe a Nano Reef.
 
Like said, just give it a good rinse to get all the saltwater stuff off and it should be good. It would work well for buffering pH and such for the cichlids.
 
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tlindsey said:
Agree with K krichardson the rocks aka base rock reef safe. Overtime with the right lighting and additional help with live rock base rock will be covered in Coraline Algae, and sponges. I personally have base rock that was purchased as live rock but decided to leave Saltwater keeping. I may use it again one day maybe a Nano Reef.
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I don’t think base rock will ever become covered in sponges and coralline algae in a freshwater cichlid setup that the OP is running.
 
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Much of the rock used in salt water tanks (old reef rock, Texas Holey rock) are good at buffering pH and alkalinity.
This may be a a good thing, if you are keeping African rift lake species, or Central American species that do best in an alkaline environment.
If however, you are keeping soft water Amazonian species, the effect may be less than desirable, for the health of the tank.
 
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