Travertine

[Steve W]

Has anyone ever used non-filled Travertine tiles in thier reef aquarium? I have a piece that I have boiled in saltwater and then soaked for two weeks in fresh saltwater to rid it of any soluble materials added during cutting, etc. I would like to use it as a substrate for mounting a frag in a stable position in the tank that my lawnmower blennie can't knock over, but obviously don't want to use it if anyone knows of a problem associated with using it.

Steve W

24 gallon Nano w/ 150 w MH

 

[macclellan]

I don't know what non-filled means, but all my frag-plugs are 1"x1" travertine squares from the big box stores. I only boil them in RO water... it's just calcium carbonite, nothing to worry about.

 

[Engloid]

I took a hammer to some porcelain tile a while back and used some of the broken pieces to glue frags to. It seemed to do just fine, and I didn't boil or anything. I guess it may have been a good idea though.

 

[Steve W]

Non-filled just means that the natural voids haven't been filled with anything to smooth them out. Thanks for the confirmation. I thought that there shouldn't be any problem, since they are a type of marble made from old reefs, but it's nice to have some confirmation from someone who has used it.

Steve W
24 gallon Nano w/ 150 w MH

 

[Steve W]

Actually, I was wrong about the origin of Travertine. It comes from volcanic hot springs, but is still nearly pure calcium carbonate.

Steve W
24 gallon Nano w/ 150 w MH

 

[jefathome]

I'm using them in my tank as a "bare bottom". Seems to be working so far (since August). Some of my Zoa's don't like the tank yet, but I think that is a cycle issue, not the Tavertine.

 

[cee]

I'd stick with the white pieces as the orange and reddish ones likely have iron deposits which can fuel algae growth. Marble is also CaCO3-based. Also, commercial travertine likely has a sealer applied to it which is an unknown. A water-based sealer can go back into solution if submerged. A small quantity is likely OK but I don't know that I'd line the bottom of my tank with it.

 

[macclellan]

The kind I got were unsealed and quite chalky. Good point about the orange; I forgot about that. I tossed the ones that had iron seams and stuck with the pure white ones.

 

[Steve W]

I had already assumed that white was the best bet. I agree with you about the sealers. I, too, chose the chalky surfaced ones that didn't seem to be coated, but that was another reason for boiling them and then soaking in saltwater for two weeks before trying to use them. Hopefully, any leachable materials has already leached.

I'll let you know how it works out for me over the next couple of months.

Steve W

 

[Engloid]

The amount I used was very small...so I doubt any of it in that amount would be harmful...unless it were cleaned with Windex ahead of time or something.

 

[cee]

Porcelain should be fine since it is a fired ceramic and virtually resistant to most chemicals and usually doesn't need to be sealed. Windex wouldn't worry me too much either; it is predominantly ammonia. Ever try using Google in Spain? Most of the hits are Spanish sites.

 

[Engloid]

Porcelain should be fine since it is a fired ceramic and virtually resistant to most chemicals and usually doesn't need to be sealed. Windex wouldn't worry me too much either; it is predominantly ammonia. Ever try using Google in Spain? Most of the hits are Spanish sites.

yeah, I figured porcelain may be a bit better.

I'd be a bit worried about using windex because of the ammonia...but I guess it depends on how much you get in the tank. I had a friend years ago that cleaned out his fish tank in the front yard with the garden hose, wiped it all down with windex, and put the fish back in...and they were dead the next day. Obviously more than you'd put on a frag plug, but I still wouldn't tempt fate.