Do you want to know the secret of having limestone in the aquarium? And you have heard that people place limestone in their fish tank. So do you have to do the same? Do you want to explore the pros of limestone to a fish tank?
Ok, I know what you are thinking right now. Yes, you should consider the limestone if you have an aquarium. I did some research on limestone and its benefits to your fish tank and I found the following information you must know about the limestone.
Do I need limestone in my aquarium? Yes, limestone is gold for your fish tank. Limestone raises the pH level, also harden the water and to reduce the acidity. It is also useful to remove excess iron from the water. It helps with water filtration.
Other advantages of Limestone in Fish Tank:
- helps in the growth of the fish.
- Creates a clean environment.
- Remove excess iron.
- Filter the water.
- Base in nature
- Limestone is your fish tank alkaline agent
- Limestone changes the low pH to high pH.
- Overall reactivity of limestone is low.
- Limestone is cheap.
- Filter the saltwater by absorbing salt from water.
- Low pH fish do not require any limestone in the fish tank.
- High pH fish will definitely require limestone in the fish tank if the water is soft.
- Add more beauty to the aquarium, as a natural rock looks awesome.
Let’s find out the secrets of having limestone in an aquarium.
The very first thing in your mind is to see what benefits limestone is providing to your fish tank. So the first question is regarding the benefits of limestone to your fish tank or aquarium.
What Are The Benefits Of Limestone In A Fish Tank?
- Limestone increases the hardness of the water. If you want to raise the pH level of water in a fish tank then limestone is a good addition.
- If the aquarium water is soft, and the fish requires high-level pH then you should go for adding limestone in your aquarium.
- It can be a nutrient for the fish in the aquarium.
- Helps in the growth of the fish.
- Limestone remove excess iron from the water.
- Limestone keeps the water clean and prevents the forming of algae in the water.
- Remember that pH level is different for freshwater fish and saltwater fish. pH is low as between 5.5 to 7.5 for the freshwater fish and pH is 8 or above for saltwater fish. So the limestone raises the pH of fish tank water for saltwater fish as it requires a high level of pH.
That’s how the limestone is good for the fish tank. All you have to do is to have the knowledge about what pH is required by your fish and then think about adding the limestone to your fish tank. Without the proper knowledge, you cannot add the limestone directly as it can kill your fish as well.
Key points – Limestone benefits:
- Raises pH and reduces acidity.
- Helps in growth of the fish.
- Creates a clean environment.
- Remove excess iron.
- Filter the water.
Let’s find out more about the limestone.
Is Limestone Acidic Or Alkaline?
Limestone is a base and an alkaline agent. It raises the pH level of the fish tank water. You can see the pH of limestone in the pH scale, it is around 7.5 to 8. Limestone has the ability to neutralize the acids. The acidic water is buffered by adding the limestone.
Key points – Chemical Nature of Limestone:
- Base in nature
- Alkaline agent
That’s when you know that limestone is an alkali. And guess what it has to deal with the acidity of the solution. The question below will clear the concept.
Does Limestone Reduce Acidity?
Yes, it does. Because of the alkaline nature of limestone, it reduces the acidity of fish tank water and raises its pH. It neutralizes the acid by reacting with it. The reactivity level of limestone is low but it is affordable and a good method to reduce the acidity of the water.
Key points – Limestone deals well with acidity:
- Reduce acidity
- Neutralizes the acid
Now moving towards the impact of limestone on the pH. Obviously, you have now an idea about the impact of limestone on the pH but have a look at the answer below.
Limestone And Its Impact On pH?
By now you’ll have realized that the limestone raises the pH. The neutral state is 7. And if the water is soft and acidic in nature but you require to raise the pH then add limestone to your fish tank as it will help to raise the pH.
Key points – Limestone and pH:
- Limestone raises the pH level.
- Limestone changes the low pH to high pH.
In addition to the impact on pH, limestone also deals with the excess iron. Want to know how it does this job? Let’s see the answer below.
Does Limestone Help To Remove Excessive Iron From Water?
Yes, it helps to remove the excess iron from the water. The acidic water contains a high amount of iron and its byproducts. The excess iron and its byproducts are then removed by placing a limestone to balance the pH level.
One reason for using the limestone to remove the iron is its low cost as compared to other alkaline agents. Moreover, limestone is considered to be a good absorbent in this case. As excessive iron contaminates the water of the fish tank and thus making the water harmful for the fish. It changes the color and odor of the water. So it is necessary to remove this iron from fish tank water. Still, one disadvantage is that the reactivity of limestone is low. But it’s not the big deal.
Key points – Limestone and excess iron in the water:
- Remove excess iron.
- Limestone is a good absorbent.
- Reactivity of limestone is low.
- Limestone is low in cost.
So it all adds up to this question,
Does Limestone Raise Or Lower Fish Tank Water pH?
Now you can answer this question easily. Of course, the limestone raises the pH of the fish tank water. The base reacts with the acid and changes the pH level from low to high. The pH level at room temperature is 7. Acidic solutions have a lower pH and basic solutions have a higher pH. So if the fish water tank has low pH then the limestone just raises its level from low pH to high pH.
Key points – Limestone raises or lowers the pH:
- Raises the pH.
- Base reacts with acid.
- Neutralizes the acid.
- Change the pH from low to high.
Let’s look at it in detail,
How Does Limestone Increases pH In A Fish Tank?
The limestone is an alkaline agent and it increases the pH of the fish tank water. It reacts with the acid in the water and neutralizes it to increase the pH level of the fish tank water. If the water is already hard, then the addition of limestone can kill the fish. So check the pH of the aquarium water, and if it is low then place the limestone to increase the pH.
The other point to be considered is to that every kind of fish requires a different level of pH. Limestone should be added in the fish tank if the pH of the water is low for the fish.
Key points – How pH is increased:
- Alkaline agent reacts with acid.
- Stabilizes the pH and raises the pH level.
I hope it helped you to understand how pH raises by the limestone. Now imagine if you can filter the water too by the limestone. Ever wondered how? Look at the answer below.
How Does Limestone Filter Water?
The limestone absorbs the contaminated elements from the fish tank water, it soaks up the excess iron and thus filters the water. You know what? Limestone is used to filter the saltwater too. People filter the saltwater by using the limestone. As it absorbs the salt from the water and they get filtered water from this easy step.
Key points – Limestone and filtration of water:
- Limestone is a good absorbent.
- Absorbs contaminated elements.
- Soaks up excess metal like iron.
- Filter the saltwater.
- Absorbs salt from saltwater.
Now hang on! Limestone can be harmful to fish. Here’s the most important question. And don’t forget to read the answer.
Is Limestone Harmful To Fish?
Actually no, it is not harmful to the fish. But yes you should know what pH is required by your fish. If it requires a low pH, then it is not good to place limestone in the fish tank. As it will increase the pH level and the fish will die. Check the pH of the fish tank simultaneously as the pH is not static, it changes from time to time to avoid any loss.
Key points – Limestone harmful to fish or not:
- Not really harmful.
- Low pH fish do not require any limestone in the fish tank.
- High pH fish will definitely require limestone in the fish tank if the water is soft.
Let’s not forget the point written above. Now, what’s next?
Limestone Is Decorative For Fish Tank?
Yes, it is. But how? See the answer below.
How Limestone Affect Design?
Now take this topic to somewhere awesome, ‘The decoration of the fish tank’. After all, nature attracts people more than artificial things. So by placing natural rocks in the fish tank is more beautiful. The natural rock such as limestone stabilizes and raises the pH of the fish tank water. Actually, it works two ways, stabilizing the pH as well as a decorative addition to the fish tank.
The holes in the rock provide the fish to play hide and seek. The fish can pass through the holes. Rocks should be washed in the warm water first, and then placed in the aquarium to add more beauty in the aquarium.
You can buy the limestone online but always remember that the rocks are safe for the fish as well as for the fish tank plants. The limestone will add more beauty to your fish tank and it will be a nice addition to your fish tank.
Key points – Limestone and aquarium design:
- Add more beauty to the aquarium.
- The natural rock looks more beautiful.
- Fish can play hide and seek from the holes of the rock.
- Natural rocks stabilize the pH.
- You can buy it online.
All Done!
Let’s recap the things discussed above. The addition of limestone in your fish tank is the requirement of the fish you will have in your aquarium. Because different fish requires a different level of pH. If the fish requires low pH and the aquarium water is soft then there is no need to place the limestone. But if the fish requires a high-level pH and the water is soft, then there will be a need to place the limestone in the aquarium. It will also remove excess iron from the water and helps to build a clean environment. The beautiful natural rocks add beauty to your fish tank. Hope this article helped you to answer all the questions about Limestone you have in your mind.
