It seems like a great idea to just go out to your local pond or river and grab whatever rocks you find and add them to your tank. My advice is to not do that. This can be a recipe for disaster. Today’s post centers around the best rocks for a freshwater aquarium. There is a lot to consider before we drop that rock you found into your aquarium.
Rocks can alter the chemistry of our aquarium and have catastrophic results to our prized livestock. If you do not know what the rocks can do to your aquarium chemistry you can be headed to a world of hurt and heart break.
In addition, rocks for freshwater aquariums can be cornerstones of your aquascape. Other times they are accents. They serve multiple purposes for us in aquariums. They offer protection and shelter for our fish and they are appealing to the eyes of the aquarium owner and their house guests.
Today’s post covers it all. I will go over the types or rocks used for freshwater aquariums then compile a list of the best rocks you can purchase online. In the posts there will be affiliate links where I may get a commission should you choose to make a purchase at no charge to you. With that disclosure provided, let’s go ahead and get started.
In general, the vast majority of freshwater fish and plants prefer softer water and lower pH. Knowing this fact, we want to avoid rocks that are high in calcium. Rocks high in calcium will alter the water chemistry of our aquarium. It will result in our water becoming hard. They also will alter the pH of the aquarium making our aquarium alkaline in nature. That is great for African Cichlids and Saltwater Tanks, but will be disastrous for most tropical fish we can purchase.
We need to break down rocks further to understand what makes a good freshwater aquarium rock. Let’s dive into the types of rocks.
We can separate freshwater aquarium rocks into three categories: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Igneous rock is any type of crystalline or glassy rock. These are formed by the cooling and solidification of molten earth material. Aquarium rocks in our trade of this type would include dolerite, gabbro, granite, basalt, and lava rock.
Sedimentary rock are rocks that are formed by the accumulation or deposition of small particles and subsequent cementation. Aquarium rocks in our trade of this type would include marl, limestone, sandstone, breccia, conglomerate, and shale.
Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock types. The original rock form was subjected to heat and pressure which cause physical or chemical change. Aquarium rocks in our trade of this type would include quartzite, dolomite, marble, schist, slate, and hornfels.
Now that I explained the types of rocks, let’s talk about the aquariums rocks that can alter the chemistry of our tanks. We can separate them into two types.
If we are looking to lower pH and soften our water, we want to use aquarium rocks like sandstone and basalt. If we are looking to increase pH and harden our water, we want to use aquarium rocks like marble and limestone
There are also rocks that serve functions with planted aquariums. For example, lava rocks can be used to fertilize aquatics plants. Granite is one of the safest rocks to use in an aquarium due to its neutral nature. It is also one of the heaviest.
Now that we have a base understanding of rocks for freshwater aquariums, it’s time to talk about the best ones to buy. Below is a recommend list of the best freshwater aquarium rocks you can purchase online. I’ll go in more detail in my reviews of each.
| Picture | Name | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editor’s Choice! | Ohko Dragon Stone | Planted Tanks | Click For Best PriceBuy On Glass Aqua |
| Best Value | Black Mountain Seiryu Stone | Planted Tanks | Click For Best Price |
| Budget Option | Black Lava Rock | Planted Tanks | Click For Best Price |
| Traditional Seiryu Stone | Planted Tanks | Click For Best PriceBuy On Glass Aqua | |
| Premium Pick! | Buceplant WYSIWYG Stones | Planted Tanks | Click For Best Price |
| Lifegard Aquatics Redwood Petrified Stone | Planted Tanks | Buy On AmazonBuy On Chewy | |
| Penn-Plax Deco-Replicas Ornament Series | Cichlids | Buy On Amazon | |
| Small World Slate & Stone Rock | Freshwater Tanks | Buy On Amazon | |
| Texas Holey Rock | African Cichlids | Buy On Amazon |
Let’s take a closer look as to why these rocks stand out so much!
Editor's Choice
Ohko is the premier aquascaping rock today. Granite based with amazing shapes and selection
Buy on Buce Plant Buy on Glass AquaOhko Dragon Stone is one of the preferred aquarium rocks to use in Iwagumi Aquascapes. These rocks are not only beautiful, they are also natural in nature. They will not alter your pH or hardness being granite based. They will look fantastic in any planted tank setup. They are full of holes, nooks and crannies making them very good rocks for natural shelter for your fish.
These are the hot rocks for pro aquascaping projects these days. Check out the video above from BucePlant to see how amazing they look. Like any preferred aquascaper rock, they do have a higher price tag.
Best For – Planted Tanks
Best Value
With an amazing black and white contrast, black mountain is an excellent choice for any aquascape. It is reasonably priced!
Click For Best PriceIf you are looking for a unique looking aquarium rock, check out Black Mountain Seiryu Stone. The unique white veins really pop in an aquascape. They will not alter your pH or hardness so you can add them to any aquarium setup. These rocks are hard to find so be on the look out if you like them and want to buy one. The great thing from buying from our link is that Buce sells super high quality Black Seiryu and in packs up to 30lbs!
Best For – Planted Tanks
Budget Option
Great choice for budgets. Won't alter your chemistry and provides housing for beneficial bacteria
Click For Best PriceQuality lava rock is hard to find online. It’s pretty common to see listings of lava rock being used as biomedia or fireplaces. This makes sense given they are great for housing beneficial bacteria and are great stones for fire places. This does limit what you can buy on online though.
When it comes to aquarium lava rock these Black Lava Rocks by BucePlant are exactly what we are looking for. These are large rocks with unique shapes unlike what you will find at most pet stores. If you are looking to quality lava rock, check out their store and selection.
Best For – Freshwater Tanks
A go to classic. Highly recommended for Iwagumi aquascapes
Buy On Buce Plant Buy On Glass AquaIf you want a pro quality aquascaping rock, but the Ohko is out of your budget, I would highly recommend Buce Seiryu Rock. Seiryu is the godfather of all aquascaping rocks. These are hand picked stones from Buce. With their excellent customer service and high quality reviews, you can’t go wrong with them!
You will not be disappointed in going with them! Great details and texture comes with these rocks.
Best For – Planted Tanks
The Finest Available Online
Buceplant offers the premium stones online. Showpiece What You See Is What You Got (WYSIWYG) stones. Get your centerpiece today!
Click For Best PriceWe start off this list with high end aquarium rocks. These rocks offered by BucePlant are what we call in the industry What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) rocks. This seller lists individual rocks or sets of rocks for you to purchase and you get the exact rocks in the picture. This is the best way to get large aquarium rocks for aquascapes if you are looking to do big projects.
In my mind, WYSIWYG vendors are the sellers to go to if you are looking for a large display stone. These are excellent for planted tanks and highly recommended if they are within your budget.
Best For – Planted Tanks
A complete set done for you. This is a great choice for someone completely new to aquascaping
Buy On Amazon Buy On ChewyAre you looking for a done for you aquascape set? If so, the Lifegard Aquatics Petrified Wood Sets are right up your ally. These aquarium rocks are sold in packages for specific tank sizes. All you do is order the place for your aquarium and you are good to go. No need to guess or pick rocks. These sets use pertified wood instead of stone. As a result, the look is very unique for your aquascape.
Lifegard also offers another variant called the Klondike Petrified Stone set if you are looking for a different shade or color. I love these sets for first time aquascapers. It is wood versus stone, which may bother a purist, but not a problem for a newcomer. The price is pretty reasonable as well!
Best For – Planted Tanks
Simple and designed for Cichlids. These rock provide shelter for your territorial fish
Buy On AmazonPenn-Plax Deco-Replicas Ornament Series are resin ornaments that resemble natural granite. They are great for territorial fish like cichlids. Each aquarium rock acts like an individual home or condo for your fish. Because they are resin based, so they do not affect your water chemistry and are very easy to clean due their smooth outer surface. They are also very easy to stack and create a community of homes.
The thing I do not like with these rocks is they are rough on the inside. This is due to their resin makeup. The resin has been smoothed out on the outside but not on the inside. This leads to rough and sharp edges inside the structure. This does not make them safe for delicate species like Betta Fish. You can make them smooth with a file, but given their price point it’s probably better to look at another product if you have delicate fish.
Best For – Cichlids
Great price and selection. Small world offers an affordable solution for quality aquarium slate
Buy On AmazonThese Slate Aquarium Rocks by Small World are an amazing deal. The product pictured above are the 5-7 inch stone sets. These are high quality slate pieces sourced from the USA. Small World Slate and Stone is a small family run business and their customer service is top notch.
Slate will not alter your pH or hardness. They are great for Aquascaping and for creating caves and structures. They are also great for reptiles since they hold heat well. Slate is one of the most popular stones for garden and pond hardscaping.
Slate is easy to break or crack. Be very careful with handling the stones as they can chip easily.
Best For – Freshwater Tanks
With its ability to raise pH and hardness, this rock is an excellent choice for African Cichlids
Buy On AmazonIf you own African Cichlids, these limestone rocks are perfect for them. Texas Holey Rock has several benefits for African Cichlids. Being made of calcium carbonate, these rocks buffer pH and hardness, which solves your aquarium water chemistry issues with Africans. The holes are great for shelter and curbs aggressive in your freshwater tank.
These rocks are sourced locally in Austin, Texas. The team who selects these rocks take care to find quality specimens for aquarium usage. The Company was built by a Cichlid tank owner who understands the need for quality hardscaping.
Give their limestone makeup, these rocks are only appropriate for fish that need a higher pH or hard water. The white appearance is also not for everyone. You can mitigate the white look by using low light aquarium plants like Java Fern, and Java Moss which easily attach to these rocks.
Best For – African Cichlids
I listed a number of aquarium rock selections. Which one is best for you? I’m going to split these in several categories and explain.
The safest rocks are ones you can purchase at a pet store, local fish store, or online. That being said, the best rocks to use are Ohko dragon stone, Seiryu Stone, and Lava Rock. You can also use rocks like slate for building levels and Holey Rock for setups that require hard water or higher pH.
No. You cannot just put any rock in a fish tank. Some rocks will alter the chemistry of the water like it’s pH or hardness, which can have negative affects on your fish and plants. Rocks collected from outside or rivers may also contain organic material, which may die off and cause ammonia spikes. It’s best to purchase your rocks from a reputable pet store whether in person or online.
No. Live rock is rock that is either pulled from the oceans or grown aquaculturally to be used in saltwater tanks. They contain saltwater bacteria and organisms, which would die off if placed in a freshwater tank.
Rocks that are made of calcium carbonate like limestone will raise the pH in an aquarium. These rocks are ideal for fish that prefer higher pH and hardwater like African Cichlids.
Aquarium rocks can really be striking backdrops in your fish tank when you find the rest specimens. I hope this post helped you find what you were looking for. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading.
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