5 Best Rocks for Freshwater Aquariums – 2023 Reviews & Top Picks
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If you’re looking to add visual interest and appeal to your aquarium, you may have looked at different aquarium ornaments, but one of the easiest ways to achieve newfound beauty in your tank is through the addition of rocks.
Even though it sounds like an overly simple solution, rocks can be used to add color and texture to your aquarium. They can also be used to create shelters and hides, making the tank feel safer for some inhabitants.
One important aspect about adding rocks, though, is that some rocks can alter your water parameters due to the introduction of minerals into the water, so you need to know exactly what you’re putting into your aquarium.
Ideally, you should be acquiring rocks and gravel from trusted sources to avoid introducing parasites, bacteria, plants, and other undesirables into your tank. These reviews of the 10 best rocks for freshwater aquariums will help you find safe rocks to add to your tank.
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites in 2023
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall
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Lifegard Aquatics Dragon Songpi Ohko Rock |
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Best Value
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Underwater Treasures Mini Moss Rock Fish Ornament |
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Check Price |
Premium Choice
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Nature's Ocean Natural Coral Aquarium Base Rock |
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Check Price |
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Frisco River Rock Gravel |
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Check Price | |
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Current USA Dragon Aquarium Stone |
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Check Price |
The 5 Best Rocks for Freshwater Aquariums
1. Lifegard Aquatics Dragon Songpi Ohko Rock – Best Overall
Lifegard Aquatics Dragon Songpi Ohko Rock comes as a kit for variously sized rocks to fit specific tank sizes. The stones are gorgeous and have a pleasing natural look to them that will take your aquarium’s decor to the next level. They come in an assortment of sizes so that you place them in the desired configurations.
They are heavy, so you must be careful handling them. Shipping and jostling make them dusty, so we recommend pre-washing them before putting them in your tank. Otherwise, they are an excellent value for the price. With all this in mind, they are our choice for the best overall rocks for freshwater aquariums.
- Beautiful design
- A mix of rock sizes
- Look natural
- Safe for freshwater and saltwater tanks
- Pre-washing necessary
2. Underwater Treasures Mini Moss Rock Fish Ornament – Best Value
Too often, artificial plants look so fake and out of place. That’s not the case with the Underwater Treasures Mini Moss Rock Fish Ornaments. After all, plants do exist underwater, so it makes sense to include them with your tank’s decor. The moss is tall enough to provide some cover for small fish, making it a useful addition to your tank.
The product comes with five pieces that you can place throughout your tank. They’re small at only 1.2 inches long, although they stay put. They’re probably best used in small tanks or for a feature in a larger aquarium. Each rock is also uniquely shaped, adding interest to the space. Because of the price, they are our choice for the best rocks for freshwater aquariums for the money.
- Pleasing design
- Affordably priced
- Unique shapes
- Moss-covered rocks look realistic
- Small
3. Nature’s Ocean Natural Coral Aquarium Base Rock – Premium Choice
You have to love the name of something called Nature’s Ocean Natural Coral Aquarium Base Rock. It’s a fitting moniker for this product. While it’s pricey, it’s real aragonite rock. You’re getting exactly what the manufacturer claims it is. The quantity varies. Nevertheless, some elbow grease and a hammer can break down large pieces.
Despite the name, the product description states they’re suitable for freshwater and saltwater. However, if you have the former, you should monitor your pH closely since the stones may affect the water chemistry.
- Pre-washed
- Realistic look
- Real rocks
- Pricey
- Potential pH issues for freshwater tanks
4. Frisco River Rock Gravel
Frisco River Rock Gravel is an excellent addition to a freshwater tank that will compliment a natural look. The rocks are polished as if they were just fished out of a stream. They are smooth with no sharp edges, making them easy to clean. They are not uniform in size, making them realistic looking. You can also use them in terrariums or other setups.
They measure 0.39–0.79 inches long. That can leave some large gaps for food and debris to get stuck in. We recommend using them as a decorative element for anchoring other plants and pieces in your aquarium.
- Attractive
- Natural color
- Affordably priced
- Large spacing between rocks
5. Current USA Dragon Aquarium Stone
Current USA Dragon Aquarium Stone would make a beautiful addition to any tank. The rocks are realistically colored and styled to give them a natural look. The pieces have lots of nooks and crannies for small fish to hide. They are also chemically neutral and suitable for freshwater and marine setups. They have some heft to them to keep them in place. You can also use them to anchor other plants.
On the downside, some edges are sharp, but that’s what you’d expect with natural rocks. However, they won’t scratch the aquarium glass. The stones come pre-washed. However, cleaning them isn’t easy, which, again, is not unexpected, given their design. The price may suggest they’re real, but they are sculpted out of a man made material.
- Realistic look
- Plant anchors
- Plenty of hiding places
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Rocks for Freshwater Aquariums
- Appearance: What do you want your tank to look like with the addition of rocks? If you want to build caves or create aquascapes, you may want textured rocks that can be attached to each other or have plants attached to them. If you want something that can function as a substrate in your aquarium, then finding smaller rocks, like pebbles and gravel, might be more of what you are looking for.
- Animals: Some freshwater fish, like cichlids, will appreciate an alkaline environment, and they will do well with the addition of calcium-based rocks like aragonite and limestone. Other fish, like most tetras, will appreciate a slightly acidic environment, and it’s ideal to add rocks that will not alter the pH of your tank and use things like driftwood and Indian almond leaves to keep your pH low.
- Plants: Like aquatic animals, some plants will not do well in a highly alkaline or acidic environment. Most plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral environment, but primitive plants, like mosses, can thrive in alkaline environments.
- Source: Knowing the source of your aquarium rocks is one of the most important aspects of choosing rocks. Some people collect rocks from local waterways, which can cause problems in your aquarium if you don’t clean the rocks well or identify them appropriately. Sourcing rocks from manufacturers that specify the rocks are safe for aquarium use is the best way to go when it comes to aquarium rocks. If you decide to source rocks from local waterways or from private individuals, make sure you know how to identify the rocks and clean them thoroughly and safely before use.
- Minerals: The addition of minerals to aquariums will raise the pH of the water, leading to an alkaline environment. Most freshwater fish and shrimp prefer acidic or neutral pH environments, so use caution when adding any rocks that contain high levels of minerals, like limestone.
- Coral/Aragonite: Aragonite is long-dead coral while coral rock is recently dead coral. Either way, both of these rocks contain high levels of calcium and can leach minerals into the water. Calcium is necessary for many invertebrates in some levels but use caution with the addition of these rocks because they can raise the level of dissolved calcium in the water to levels that may create an unsafe environment for many animals and even some plants.
- Polishes: While most rock and stone polishes are not going to alter water parameters in any significant way, some of them may be toxic or may become toxic over time. It’s good practice to clean any rocks before adding them to your tank, but polished rocks may require extra cleaning, scrubbing, or soaking to avoid introducing dangerous chemicals into your tank.
- Rough Edges: Some fish will hurt themselves on sharp and rough edges! Be careful when adding any type of rough rocks to your tank, especially if you keep fish like fancy goldfish and bettas, who may tear their fins on sharp edges easily, or scaleless fish like eels, Corydoras, blennies, and knifefish.
Final Thoughts
Lifegard Aquatics Dragon Songpi Ohko Rock Kit is a beautiful collection of variously sized rocks that adds a natural element to an aquarium. The manufacturer sells the product with pieces to fit different tanks, and it’s our best overall choice. If you’re looking to save some money, the Underwater Treasures Mini Moss Rock Fish Ornament is a value-priced decor item for small tanks. It brings a realistic touch to a tank with some welcome greenery. Regardless of which you go with, all of these options will make your tank look like the natural habitat of many of the fish in your tank.
- You Might Also Be Interested In: DIY Aquarium Decoration Ideas
Featured Image Credit: andy0man, Shutterstock
