Ocean Rock On Fw

[jarmado]

is it ok to put ocean rocks on freshwater fish tanks?
will it affect any of the water parameters?
thanks!

 

[b.c.f.c]

i wouldnt think so if you give them a rearly good clean with hot water.but im not too sure.

 

[OohFeeshy]

It will rasie the pH, so best not to use it.

 

[jarmado]

thanks for the replies.

 

[dthoffsett]

It will rasie the pH, so best not to use it.

That is unless you are looking to get african cichlids who thrive in higher ph.

 

[OohFeeshy]

The context of the question implied that it was to be used in a tank where parameter changing was not wanted, so that didn't matter

 

[jarmado]

will the ph continue to rise or stop at a certain level?

 

[OohFeeshy]

From what I've read it will stop somewhere around the 8.4 mark, but how much of that is true I'm not sure. But since it's desgined for marine tanks, and marine tanks are generally around the 8. something mark, I'd say it's pretty close.

 

[jarmado]

From what I've read it will stop somewhere around the 8.4 mark, but how much of that is true I'm not sure. But since it's desgined for marine tanks, and marine tanks are generally around the 8. something mark, I'd say it's pretty close.

thanks again OohFeeshy

 

[andywg]

It will buffer the tank, meaning it will leach base chemicals into the tank until the water reaches a medium. This level will depend on the material, but as mentioned, marein tanks end up in the 8.2-8.4 region, though they are buffered by the substrate, the live rock and the marine salt.

I would still expect in excess of 8 from it, but it may not buffer for as long if used in small amounts. In theory, it may be possible through continual keeping in FW (like dumping it in the cistern of a toilet) for a while to make it more stable (much as you do when curing homemade live rock).

 

[jarmado]

In theory, it may be possible through continual keeping in FW (like dumping it in the cistern of a toilet) for a while to make it more stable (much as you do when curing homemade live rock).

just checking if i got it right: the release of 'chemicals' from the rock will reach a point where it's all used up and wont' release anymore?

 

[andywg]

In theory, it may be possible through continual keeping in FW (like dumping it in the cistern of a toilet) for a while to make it more stable (much as you do when curing homemade live rock).

just checking if i got it right: the release of 'chemicals' from the rock will reach a point where it's all used up and wont' release anymore?

I believe that should happen, however that time may actually occur once the rock has completely dissolved itself as well.

As an example, aragonite sand buffers in marine tanks because it gradually dissolves. this means that a 6" Deep Sand Bed may eventually end up as a 4" DSB due to the dissolution of the sand.

The way to test would be to put it in freshwater and keep an eye on the pH for a week or so and see how high it goes. Then try placing it in the toilet cistern, or in a water container which is frequently changed. Eventually you may see that it stops moving the pH around, meaning it should be alright, but still keep a close eye on it.