Tips for choosing stones for an aquarium

Selecting the appropriate stones for an aquarium can have a significant impact on its setup. They serve as more than just ornamental accents; they also aid in giving your fish and plants a natural habitat. The stones you choose for your tank will determine its overall style, whether you want a sleek, contemporary appearance or a lush, natural habitat.

First, consider what kind of stones will work best for the conditions in your aquarium. Selecting stones that won’t harm your aquatic life is crucial because some can change the pH or hardness of the water. For example, adding limestone may increase the pH, which is beneficial for some fish but not for others.

Take into account the stones’ shape and size as well. Larger stones can conceal areas and produce dramatic effects, but smaller stones might work better for a more understated aesthetic. To protect your fish, keep in mind that the stones should be smooth and devoid of sharp edges.

The way the stones blend in with the overall design of your aquarium is something else to consider. Make an effort to coordinate their hue and texture with the substrate and plants in your tank. A coordinated setup will appear more organic and harmonic.

Lastly, before adding the stones to your tank, remember to clean them. Rinse them well to get rid of any dust or residues that might contaminate the water in your aquarium. Proper selection and preparation of the right stones can improve your aquarium’s appearance as well as its health.

Types

First, let’s determine the categories into which stones for aquariums are classified. They have their own subspecies and can be split into two main groups:

1. Artificial
2. Natural (natural) origin
3. Natural origin
4. Processed

You can buy artificial ones from a pet store. They are constructed from non-toxic, safe plastics. There are several options available, ranging from inexpensive, multicolored glass pebbles to more costly, but realistic-looking ones.

Pet stores sell processed ones as well, usually in the form of compositions that resemble grottoes, caves, or rocks. Among the drawbacks are the fact that making these compositions requires painting and stone gluing (regular glue can harm the environment), and fragile materials are frequently used. The price increases with processing quality.

Expert aquarists are most likely to find natural stones. Processing needs to be done carefully before putting them in an aquarium. Stones are easily obtained from the natural world. Of course, the fact that they are extracted straight from their natural habitat means that they will feel fantastic in the aquarium and won’t harm the occupants.

Impact on the aquatic environment

It is possible to classify stones in water as neutral, hardness-increasing, or alkalinity-increasing.

We make stones for an aquarium with our own hands

Naturally, there is no way to put them together other than by painting or gluing them together, which could be harmful to the occupants. However, you could easily find stones for an aquarium by hand.

Sea or river banks, as well as quarries that extract building stones (such as granite or marble), are good places to pick. Sea stones are highly sought after. Because they are from the sea, they will add a unique exoticism to your interior design. They can become a part of it.

While making a decision, the following guidelines are adhered to:

• Choose light stones so that they do not damage the aquarium if they fall. Also keep in mind that the base should be smaller than the top, because. . you can put them, and after some time in the water they can fall.
• Stones affect the aquatic environment, so find out in advance what effect they have on water, t. e. increases its alkaline environment or makes it softer. The water must meet the necessary conditions for the fish living in it.
• They should not crumble and be crumbled under mechanical impact.
• There should be no stains or odor on the surface, etc. k. they indicate the presence of metal or impurities that cannot be washed off.
• Check for sharp corners or protrusions (i. e. flatter and blunt at the edges) so that the fish cannot get hurt on them.

Darker species must be chosen because, when used as decorations, they appear the most appealing.

Conversely, you cannot use or place stones that you find close to mines or quarries, gather materials from areas tainted with radiation or pesticides, or take ore because it is a metal that poses a risk to fish.

One of the most common kinds of stones is sandstone. It is a sedimentary rock that was created by combining clay and sand. There is a wide range of varieties available, but only strong, durable sandstone should be used, as soft, brittle stone starts to damage the water and endanger the local population.

Kenyan stone is another option (often also called Kenya). It is one of the most exquisite kinds of sedimentary rocks as well. Its structure is porous, and its shape is irregular. It is created in nature by combining calcites, limestone, and occasionally shells. It is therefore appropriate for water that is harder and more alkaline in composition.

Processing

You should still process them even if you bought them from a store.

1. It is necessary to rinse it well, then clean it with a brush with hard bristles. It is necessary to clean well, not wash.
2. Dry.
3. Take acetic, sulfuric or hydrochloric acid and drip it on the surface. If a reaction occurs – the appearance of gas bubbles or the appearance of orange or green spots, then they are unsuitable. This is due to the fact that when interacting with acid, iron and copper begin to manifest themselves. Unfortunately, pebbles from the content of such foreign elements will not wash off.
4. If the acid test was successful, then rinse it again under running water.
5. Boil. You need to cook for 20-30 minutes. Alternatively, you can heat it well in the oven for 20 minutes.
6. After boiling, the prepared stones need to be given time to cool, after which they can be placed in the aquarium.

This is a reasonably easy and efficient method of getting the stones ready for the aquarium so that there are no issues later on. Because a brush will not be able to remove every germ, it is essential to boil or calcine the stone in the oven.

Plaque

The stones becoming green is one of the most frequent issues that come up. It is possible to get rid of this. Surfaces, including water, frequently turn green or black. This signifies the onset of algae. Even though this is not a major issue, it is still advised to pay attention to it as this is the first indication that the aquarium’s water is beginning to bloom.

To remove green or black plaque, you just need to monitor the aquarium more carefully. Do not forget to change the water, do not add too much food to the fish, check the filter and, most importantly, monitor the length of daylight. It should not be too long, because excess light is one of the main reasons for the appearance of algae. Special products purchased in the store can also help in getting rid of plaque. The plaque itself is cleaned with a scraper from all accessible places before removing it. But without taking care of the aquarium, no matter how much you tear off, the algae will not just go away.

Selecting the appropriate stones for your aquarium can significantly improve its aesthetic appeal and provide your fish with a more natural habitat. It’s crucial to choose stones that enhance the ecosystem of the tank in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. First, think about the kind of stone and how it affects the chemistry of the water. For example, some stones have an impact on pH levels, so it’s important to choose stones that won’t throw off your tank’s equilibrium.

Make sure the stones you choose are safe to use in an aquarium. Steer clear of stones that could release toxic chemicals into the water. Choose raw, natural stones like quartz, slate, or river rocks. They have a beautiful appearance and are usually safe. Before putting them in the tank, make sure they are completely cleaned to avoid introducing any contaminants.

Finally, consider how the stones are arranged and placed within your aquarium. If you place them correctly, your fish will have interesting places to swim and hide. You can create an aesthetically pleasing and fish-friendly habitat by striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Making the correct decisions can turn your aquarium into a vibrant, lovely focal point for your house.

The appearance and health of your aquatic environment can be significantly improved by selecting the appropriate stones for your aquarium. When choosing stones, take into account elements such as the kind of stone, how it affects the chemistry of the water, and how well it complements the overall style of your tank. Choose stones that won’t harm plants or fish, and consider how they will improve the natural habitat you wish to create. You can make sure your aquarium looks great and remains healthy for its inhabitants by paying attention to these little details.

Video on the topic

[Aquarium – Cheap] How to save when buying stones for aquarium design

Aquarium stones. Where to look. How to process.

How to choose stones for aquarium. Test of stones.

Choosing a stone for the aquarium 3200 liters. Vinegar 9%

The choice of soil, stones and decorations in the aquarium. Care, maintenance and life hacks with soil and stones.