Live Rock in Fresh Water

[Deadliestviper7]

I've seen it done in brackish water,a few of the aquatic worms(such as some peanut worms)lived.

 

[Aquanero]

The "live" rock will die in a fresh water environment. There is also lighting requirements necessary beyond the necessary water requirements to sustain live saltwater rock. IMO get some type of lava rock and let it develop naturally in the tank. This is the closest you'll get to live freshwater rock.

 

[arlo]

The "live" rock will die in a fresh water environment. There is also lighting requirements necessary beyond the necessary water requirements to sustain live saltwater rock. IMO get some type of lava rock and let it develop naturally in the tank. This is the closest you'll get to live freshwater rock.

Thanks!

 

[Frank Castle]

The water (H2O) will accept carbonates (CO3^2-) from the I'm assuming mostly calcium carbonate based base rock to produce (H3O+) molecules in the aquarium solution and increase acidity? I don't want to turn the tank into a can of 7 up so I'll dry them out maybe boil the rocks and use them sparingly. Any other ideas or suggestions?

Got anything that'll counteract the pH spike? I'm taking a chemistry course for the second time. I'll take it slowly and record water parameters as they change. Thanks for the reply.

yea, i got some advice.....save yourself a TON of money, and either buy some Texas Holey Rock, or get some rocks from your local creek, lake or river and boil THOSE haha. I will NEVER pay for rocks for my aquarium.....too many out there and too easy to sterilize for free

The "live" rock will die in a fresh water environment. There is also lighting requirements necessary beyond the necessary water requirements to sustain live saltwater rock. IMO get some type of lava rock and let it develop naturally in the tank. This is the closest you'll get to live freshwater rock.

What about in a Brackish tank? Is there a minimum salt requirement ppm that Live Rock and Live Sand need??

 

[joe jaskot]

If you are keeping african cichlids, coral (base rock) can be used in the aquarium.

 

[arlo]

What about in a Brackish tank? Is there a minimum salt requirement ppm that Live Rock and Live Sand need??[/QUOTE]

That is a good question and I would assume so but haven't quantified it. Thanks for the tip, I might heed it but I think my setup is going to look clean and I might post pictures to prevent accidents or improve.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

as stated, live rock won't live, you'll just have...rock. lol

no point in making a fake salt set up for Africans, also as stated collect some rocks yourself and go to town, way easier than ruining live rock or using base rock meant for salt setups.

 

[arlo]

Found some rocks in the backyard that look like what I wanted.

Planned progress:
1) egg crate the bottom floor of aquarium

2) sand it up

3) rock it up

4) fill it up

5) test it up

to the library!

 

[Pomatomus]

Can anyone identify the type of rock most commonly used as live rock? Any geology majors?

Live rock is primarily calcium carbonate (lime) but, as mentioned, it is essentially old coral skeletons so there are often other minerals such as magnesium. Your KH, pH, and GH may rise by adding it but only to a point.

I have done this many times. I throw a piece in the tank or filter or freshwater tanks with pH issues to buffer it from going too low. I also filled an African cichlid tank with base rock and Anubias. You won't really run into problems as long as you keep fish that are ok with harder water and a pH of about 7.7. That means most aquarium fish will be fine, especially if they are bred in Florida.