Does salt residue from beach pebbles affect the pH levels of an aquarium?

Yes, salt residue from beach pebbles can affect the pH levels of an aquarium. Salt (sodium chloride) dissolves in water to form sodium and chloride ions. These ions can alter the pH balance of the water, making it more alkaline. The extent of the pH change will depend on the amount of salt residue present on the pebbles and the volume of water in the aquarium. If the aquarium water already has a high pH level, the addition of beach pebbles with salt residue may further increase the pH, which could be harmful to aquatic life. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly rinse and clean beach pebbles before adding them to an aquarium to ensure that any salt residue is removed.