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Is Granite Safe For Aquariums? Everything You Need To Know!

The number of people looking to customize their aquarium setups has been increasing rapidly recently due to a number of viral photographs on social media of custom tanks drawing attention to the various ways that you can customize your tank.

One thing that a bunch of people were asking about is using seashells to customize their tanks and after publishing that article, we noticed a number of people reaching out to ask if granite is safe for aquariums or not.

There is a large amount of contradictory information out there about using granite in an aquarium and this has caused some heated discussions on social media within the fish keeping community.

Due to this, we wanted to publish our own article going over using granite in an aquarium to try and help as many of our readers better understand the advantages and disadvantages of using granit in your tank!

What Is Granite Rock?

Granite is an igneous rock that is made up of interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.

It is a very hard rock that is difficult to scratch or chip and has a Mohs hardness of 6-7.

This means that it is harder than most rocks and minerals with the exception of a few, such as diamonds, sapphires, and topaz.

Granite is a very popular rock that is used in a number of different applications including countertops, flooring, and even aquariums!

While it is a very popular material, there are a few things that you need to know before using granite in your aquarium.

Advantages of Using Granite in Your Aquarium!

There are a few advantages to using granite in your aquarium that you should be aware of before making your decision.

Granite is a very dense rock that will not float in your aquarium like other common tank decorations such as driftwood making it easy to use as a part of your aquascape design.

This also means that you won’t have to worry about your granite rocks floating to the surface of your tank and potentially damaging your filter or other equipment.

Granite is also a very smooth rock that won’t scratch or damage your aquarium glass or your fish like other rocks can.

This is important because you want to make sure that your aquarium stays looking nice and new for as long as possible!

Another advantage of granite is that it is a very inert rock that won’t release any harmful chemicals into your aquarium water.

This is important because you want to make sure that your fish and plants are able to thrive in their environment without any negative effects from the materials that you use in your aquarium.

Disadvantages of Using Granite in Your Aquarium!

While there are a few advantages to using granite in your aquarium, there are also a few disadvantages that you should be aware of.

One of the biggest disadvantages of using granite in your aquarium is that it is a very heavy rock.

This can make it difficult to move around and position in your aquarium the way that you want it.

Another disadvantage of granite is that it can be expensive.

While the price will vary depending on where you purchase it from, granite can be a bit more expensive than other rocks and decorations that you can use in your aquarium.

Lastly, granite is a very hard rock which means that it can be difficult to drill holes into.

This can be a problem if you want to use granite in your aquarium to create hiding spots or caves for your fish.

While there are a few disadvantages to using granite in your aquarium, the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages!

Is Granite Safe For Aquariums?

Yes, granite is safe for aquariums!

Granite is a very inert rock that won’t release any harmful chemicals into your aquarium water making it safe for both your fish and your plants.

The problem that causes the heated discussions on social media about using granite in your aquarium is that many people accidently get granite designed for industrial use that can have cheimcals on it.

While the granite itself is safe, the chemicals can be harmful to your fish and plants.

To avoid this problem, make sure that you purchase granite designed for aquarium use or that has been properly cleaned before adding it to your tank!

Some people also go out and find natural granite in their local area and although this can be aquarium safe, you do have to take the required steps to clean the granite before you add it to your aquarium.

How To Clean Granite For Your Aquarium!

If you have purchased granite for your aquarium that is not pre-cleaned, you will need to take the necessary steps to clean it before adding it to your tank.

The first thing that you need to do is rinse the rocks off with warm water.

This will help to remove any dirt or debris that may be on the surface of the rocks.

Once you have rinsed the granite off, you will need to soak the rocks in a 10% bleach solution for at least 24 hours.

After the granite has soaked in the bleach solution, rinse the rocks off with warm water again.

You should then place the granite in your aquarium and allow it to sit for a few days before adding any fish or plants.

This will give the granite time to off-gas and remove any residual bleach that may be on the surface of the rocks.