Stones in the aquarium are not only part of the decor. They create conditions for fish that are close to their natural habitat. The quality of water largely depends on the variety of stones. Therefore, the choice of this design element must be treated responsibly.
How do stones affect the aquatic ecosystem? And what should be considered when choosing them? We will answer these questions in the article.
Classification
On sale you can find the following types of aquarium stones:
Artificial stones are made of plastic or glass. Polymer products are lightweight and can be used for the construction of various structures (rocks, grottoes). However, low-quality plastic pebbles are capable of releasing toxic substances into the water and emitting an unpleasant odor. Therefore, when purchasing them, it is necessary to find out exactly which compounds are part of such a product.
Glass decorative stones for an aquarium are less durable than plastic. If handled carelessly, they can easily break. Such decor should not be purchased if fish live in the aquarium, who like to play with stones and rummage through them. It is also undesirable to buy too small glass. Otherwise, the fish can swallow and injure them.
Natural stones are divided into two types:
- processed;
- natural origin.
Processed natural stones can be purchased at any pet store. Most often they are sold in the form of finished structures (rocks, grottoes, caves). However, this decor has its drawbacks. Aquarium structures can easily fall apart if they are made of low-grade materials. And high quality products are quite expensive.
Therefore, many aquarists use stones of natural origin for decoration. Such products are rarely found in pet stores, they have to be collected independently. Stones are taken directly from natural conditions, for example, from the sea or river banks. Before being placed in the aquarium, they must be thoroughly washed and processed.
In a special group, live aquarium stones can be distinguished. They are fragments of coral reefs. However, this decor is only suitable for marine fish. Inside the stones can be various living organisms: beneficial bacteria, algae, crustaceans, mollusks.
Living stones for a saltwater aquarium can play the role of a filter. They purify water from harmful impurities and turn ammonia into harmless nitrogen. In addition, decorations form shelters in which fish can hide. Live stones can be purchased at pet stores, the price of such products is quite high.
Effect on water
Stones in an aquarium can affect water quality. Therefore, they must be selected very carefully. Before purchasing or collecting stones yourself, you need to find out what characteristics of the aquatic environment your fish need.
There are rocks that increase the hardness of the water. These include:
- slates;
- limestone;
- marble;
- some varieties of tuff;
- dolomite;
- shell rock;
- white sandstone (porous).
Such stones are suitable for an aquarium with guppies, pecilli, mollies, barbs. These types of fish feel comfortable in hard water.
There are also rocks that increase the alkalinity of water. These include:
- limestone;
- lime tuff;
- white porous sandstone.
When placing such stones in the aquarium, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the fish and the acid reaction of the water. If the alkalinity is too high (pH above 9), the health of the aquarium inhabitants may deteriorate. Excessively alkaline conditions in fish cause increased mucus formation on the body and impaired coordination of movements.
What stones in the aquarium do not affect the quality characteristics of water? Neutral breeds include:
- quartz;
- lava;
- gneiss;
- granite;
- gray sandstone.
These types of stones are suitable for any aquarium. They are practically safe.
There are times when aquarists acquire or select stones with unknown properties. How to check whether a given rock affects water parameters? This can be done with a simple test. It is necessary to drip a small amount of vinegar or hydrochloric acid on the surface of the stone. If the liquid begins to bubble and hiss, then this indicates the presence of carbonates. Such rocks increase the hardness and alkalinity of water.
If orange or green spots appear on the surface during acid exposure, this indicates the presence of metals in the rock. Such stones are not suitable for use in an aquarium.
What is Kenyan stone
Recently, Kenyan stone for the aquarium has gained great popularity. With it, you can create a design similar to the seabed. However, not all aquarists are aware of the composition of this stone and its effect on water.
Kenyan stone is mined on the shores of Lake Victoria in Africa. This is a sedimentary rock having a combined composition. It contains the following elements:
- limestones;
- calcites;
- dolomites;
- the remains of fossil shells;
- traces of animal skeletons.
The stone contains a large amount of limestone, so it is able to increase the alkalinity and hardness of water. This decor is not suitable for any home reservoir. Kenyan stone is ideal for an aquarium with cichlids. These fish love hard water. In addition, the stone contains many pores and minks, which can serve as a shelter for cichlids.
Criterias of choice
To choose the right decor for a home pond, you must adhere to the following recommendations of experienced aquarists:
- Stones should be light. Otherwise, they may break the glass of the aquarium in the fall.
- There should be no orange or green spots on the surface. Such inclusions indicate the presence of harmful metallic impurities. Also, stones that emit a smell are not suitable.
- Strong enough, do not crumble and do not crumble - another important characteristic.
- The presence of sharp protrusions on the surface of the stone is excluded. Fish can get hurt about them.
- You must know in advance about the effect of this rock on the characteristics of water.
It is recommended to place dark colored stones in the aquarium. In the aquatic environment, they look more aesthetically pleasing.
Self-collecting stones
Many aquarists are self-collecting stones for a home reservoir. Breeds are recommended to be collected in the following places:
- by the sea or river;
- in quarries where marble and granite are mined.
In no case should stones be collected near quarries, as well as in places contaminated with pesticides and radiation. Ore is not allowed in the aquarium. It should be remembered that improper or contaminated stone can cause mass death of fish.
Preliminary preparation
Any stone must be processed before being placed in the aquarium. This also applies to products that were purchased at the store. The stones must be thoroughly washed under running water, cleaning them with a stiff brush. It is necessary to clean all dirt from each crack. Do not use detergents. Even a small amount of household chemicals can extremely negatively affect the quality of water in the aquarium.
Stones must be completely dried. Then a test is performed with vinegar or hydrochloric acid, which allows you to detect the presence of carbonates and metals. After that, the washing is repeated.
Sea stones for an aquarium need to be processed especially carefully. A large amount of salts accumulates on their surface. These deposits must be completely removed with a brush.
Heat treatment
Rinsing cleans the surface of stones from impurities. However, water cannot completely destroy bacteria. Heat removal is necessary to remove microorganisms.
Stones should be folded into a bowl, filled with water and cooked after boiling for about 20 - 30 minutes. You can also bake them in the oven for 20 minutes. After cooling, the stones are ready for placement in the aquarium.
Stone care
Not all breeds tolerate the effects of water. Often, various deposits appear on their surface. Why is a green coating formed on the stones in the aquarium? This question is often asked by novice aquarists.
A green coating may appear due to poor filtering or too much light. These factors contribute to the growth of blue-green algae. In this case, it is necessary to remove the stones from the water and clean them from plaque with a stiff brush.
Sometimes the surface of the stones darkens and becomes almost black. Most often this is due to improper lighting. Black plaque is also removed with a stiff brush. To prevent its reappearance, it is necessary to change the light conditions in the aquarium.
Accommodation
How to lay stones on the bottom of the aquarium? We recommend that you observe the following placement rules:
- It is very important to correctly position the largest stone. Its structure should be clearly visible through the glass. This instance will be the center of the composition.
- Large stones should be placed on the left side. In this case, they will look less bulky. Small specimens are placed on the right.
- If the stones are placed in small groups, then all instances should have approximately the same size.
- Massive instances should not be placed close to the glass. Otherwise, it may crack under the pressure of gravity. It is also not recommended to place stones in only one part of the tank. They should be evenly distributed over the entire surface of the bottom.
Often aquarists create large stone structures. In this case, parts of the composition must be fastened with a special composition - aquasilicon. It is harmless to fish and provides high structural stability.