How Can I Tell If a Rock Is Safe for a Saltwater Aquarium?

Saltwater aquariums are notoriously delicate systems. They take a long time to settle down and often cost the amateur enthusiast a lot of money in fish and plants until the correct balance of elements is achieved. It is for this reason that adding rocks to the system should be approached with caution. The only rocks that are completely safe to add to saltwater aquariums are cured lava rocks or live rocks. These rocks originate from oceans in Fiji, Florida, Tonga and other tropical locations.

Things You'll Need

  • Cured lava rock
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a cured rock from your local aquarium supply store. Do not use other kinds of rocks as they might release metals and other unwanted substances into the aquarium. Foreign substances can disrupt the pH level and result in the death of fish, plants and crustaceans. Cured lava rock is also called live rock because it contains bacteria and crustaceans that are necessary for healthy saltwater aquarium life.

    • 2

      Avoid using uncured lava rocks. Uncured lava rocks are rocks that have recently been taken from the ocean. These rocks contain bacteria that will not survive in your saltwater aquarium. As they die off, they will release toxic levels of ammonia into your tank. Lava rocks that have been in an operational tank for more than a month are considered cured.

    • 3

      You can buy cured live rock at your saltwater aquarium supplier or online. Buy 1 pound of rock for every gallon of saltwater your tank holds. Stack big, heavy rocks on the bottom to form a firm foundation, with smaller rocks on the top. Check your pH levels regularly after adding rocks to ensure that they are not polluting the water.