Decorations in salt aquariums

[ceruleanspiral]

So I know that some things that we use in freshwater cannot be used in salt- like many plastics or wood. I have some gemstones (the kind you tumble- mixed like quartz, flourite, amethyst, etc.) as well as a few small geode pieces that I use in freshwater. Can those be used in saltwater? I keep getting Google results talking about cleaning or cleansing stones in saltwater. I'm not worried about dirt or casting spells here (for this anyway, lol), I just want to decorate my tanks without endangering my critters.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Many are not safe. I do not know for sure if yours are safe or not.

 

[Billdogg]

I would be concerned with whatever minerals and/or other contaminants that could leech from the rocks. Personally, I'd not use them.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I also would not use them. The what if they leach out any minerals would be too great of a risk.

 

[Hemmdog]

I wouldn’t risk it. Saltwater tanks are supposed to be replicating an ecosystem imo.

 

[W1ngz]

Many rocks, maybe even most rocks, are actually compounds of different metals and minerals. Only a geologist could really say with certainty that there's no copper content, or lead content or anything else in any of the stones or rocks you want to use.

Decorate your tank with corals :D

 

[Bellasmith]

Many rocks, maybe even most rocks, are actually compounds of different metals and minerals. Only a geologist could really say with certainty that there's no copper content, or lead content or anything else in any of the stones or rocks you want to use.

Decorate your tank with corals :D

I agree with you.

 

[Dieing for a Drink]

use starfire glass from Starfire direct

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

Use only live rock or dry reef rock and aragonite sand.

 

[Bellasmith]

How about decor like castles that made from acrylic? Do they harm the fish?

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

You have to be sure not to put anything hollow in your tank; water water trapped in hollow decorations will stagnate. I had this happen with an artificial reef; made a horrible stench. I got rid of the plastic reef and replaced it with dry rock.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

How about decor like castles that made from acrylic? Do they harm the fish?

Acrylic is inert and shouldn't be toxic. You want to make sure decorations are solid and do not have hollows in them; as water trapped in the hollow spaces will stagnate. I would not advise putting artificial decorations in a reef tank, they will only get marred up by coralline algae, etc.

 

[homer1475]

Everything in a reef tank eventually gets covered in algae or coralline. Not worth putting anything in a reef tank besides rock, coral, and fish.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

I wonder if anybody really has done a setup with freshwater gravel and decorations in a saltwater tank like the dentist's aquarium in Finding Nemo ? I thought it rather ridiculous myself........

 

[vetteguy53081]

How about decor like castles that made from acrylic? Do they harm the fish?

Stick with natural rock or resin which does not release any epoxies or paints

 

[Ef4life]

I’ve been pondering adding a crashed millennium falcon to my next tank build. One of the old Kenner ones from the 90s. It definitely has to get all the stickers, screws, and electronics out. But I think it would look pretty cool as a shipwreck reef with coral growing on it and fish swimming through it.

 

[Bellasmith]

Acrylic is inert and shouldn't be toxic. You want to make sure decorations are solid and do not have hollows in them; as water trapped in the hollow spaces will stagnate. I would not advise putting artificial decorations in a reef tank, they will only get marred up by coralline algae, etc.

okay. I would consider about it. Thanks for sharing very useful information.

 

[Bellasmith]

Stick with natural rock or resin which does not release any epoxies or paints

Okay thank you so much. I will take a look at these