Add richness and natural beauty to your tank with aquarium stones for your aquatic habitat. Aquarium rocks, stones, and gravel substrates go on the bottom of your tank, and the best kinds are specially selected and tested for safety. Choosing prepackaged aquarium stones is a good way to ensure your substrate is safe for use in your tank, and they come in a wide array of sizes, colors, and stone types. Choose from these popular types:
Although you may be tempted to go out and gather stones or gravel for your fish tank on your own, doing so can be dangerous. Introducing stone high in calcium may change the pH and hardness of your tank, and outdoor stone may contain contaminants or pathogens. Chewy has an excellent selection of fish-safe aquarium gravel and stones, so it's easy to find the perfect substrate.
The best stone for a fish tank is commercially prepared aquarium stone that has been cleaned and tested for mineral content and contaminants. For a freshwater tank, choose a non-calciferous, inert stone that won't change the pH and mineral composition of your water—good choices include quartz, granite, and slate. For a saltwater tank or fish that need hard water, you may want to choose coral or limestone gravel that adjusts the chemistry of your water.
It isn't necessary to put stones in aquariums—you could choose another substrate like sand instead. Both allow beneficial bacteria to flourish, which provides important biological filtration for your water. However, many people prefer the look of stone and enjoy the convenience of using a gravel vacuum to clean.
You should not boil rocks before putting them in an aquarium, as there is a risk of the rocks exploding. Some rocks contain air pockets that can cause bursting under high heat. If you choose a commercially prepared stone made specifically for use in fish tanks, you should not need to worry about boiling to sterilize them.
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