Aquascaping paving stones

[Chitownpw]

I've seen some items online suggesting paving stones can be used to help as a base for supporting rock formations. I am considering using a paving stone but what I intend to do is to cover it know in 100% silicone rubber glue. Does it sound like a bad idea or a good idea, thoughts?

 

[john08007]

unless you have some sort of an inside deal on 100% silicone I would expect these to cost a lot more than buying either live rock, or an even better deal dead rock, not to mention the biological filtration that the rock will add to your tank as it becomes filled with bacteria

 

[Chitownpw]

To be clear, my question is really whether coating a paving stone in the silicon will alleviate the concern about the stone breaking down in the saltwater and releasing unwanted substances into the water. The stone will be used to support my liverock formation.

 

[jay13]

To be clear, my question is really whether coating a paving stone in the silicon will alleviate the concern about the stone breaking down in the saltwater and releasing unwanted substances into the water. The stone will be used to support my liverock formation.

No. Eventually it will fail and whatever is inside those pavers will leach into the water. This is a bad idea.

 

[hllywd]

I think Jay about summed it up.

 

[ebonline]

Actually if you check out Sanjay Joshi build thread in the large tank forums he used concrete paving stones and has had zero problems and still uses them at this time. I believe the thread name is "500 gallon tank now real" or something like that. It will give you some insight as to using paving stones and how he did it and which ones he used. I would not use silicone to cover them as Sanjay used hydrolic cement and sand/rubble pieces to disguise them so they look more like live rock so check it out!

 

[hllywd]

Actually if you check out Sanjay Joshi build thread in the large tank forums he used concrete paving stones and has had zero problems and still uses them at this time. I believe the thread name is "500 gallon tank now real" or something like that. It will give you some insight as to using paving stones and how he did it and which ones he used. I would not use silicone to cover them as Sanjay used hydrolic cement and sand/rubble pieces to disguise them so they look more like live rock so check it out!

The problem is you don't know what is in the mix for pavers, what are they pigmented with, etc... I've heard of people using plain concrete blocks, and even homemade concrete LR mixes, however IMO safe use of "pavers" would be a risky venture at best.

 

[TruReef]

use travertine tiles, they are limestone......

 

[MorganAtlanta]

Or Marco Rocks "Prime Cuts"-- dry rock that is cut flat on the back.

DIY cement rock is fine too.

 

[Chitownpw]

Thx for the responses. I heard different things from a number people, so decided to email a reliable source who confirmed that he uses paving stones w/out issue and noted that Sanjay has also used them for several years.