using limestone for rock base

[bjc451]

is this a safe practice to use or will i introduce sillicates in the tank. i was thinking about seeding the tank with live sand any tips would be appreciated. especially .14$ per pound

 

[Dert42]

i thought about doing this, but decided because of the possible risk, and because it looked unnatural (for reef rock) for the parts you could see, i just bought some base rock from hirocks.com
shipping took a while, but i got decent peices for a decent price.

 

[DrBDC]

Try some Texas holey rock if the landscaping store near you sells it. Or just go cherry picking of limestone rock. Look for any dark portions and avoid them. You can do it but there are some risks although I've never personally heard of anyone have a problem that did try it. reeferrocks and hirocks are pretty cheap though and probably a safer alternative.

 

[mjpelikan]

I am loving my limestone. Infact some of it is starting to grow a little coraline! So happy!

And about it not looking like it came from the ocean, it is base rock - you should cover it with nice rock, or cover it with coral

 

[Reefer Wannabe]

I'm happy with my holey limestone also. It is completely corraline covered after 2 months (put in with about 60 pounds of corraline covered live rock). I can't tell the difference between my limestone and the best of hirocks that I bought over a year ago.

 

[Kathy55g]

Where did you get the holey limestone?

 

[Reefer Wannabe]

Buchheits landscaping in St. Peters (Weiss Road)

 

[trottman]

i think silicates is just a bunch of crap, i have white silica sand in my fuge and i have had no algae outbreaks or anything. all my parms are fine.

why is everyone afraid of silicates?>

 

[mjpelikan]

I think it was either diatoms, or diaflaglants (i spell good!) that like silca... but if you have great water quality, i guess they don't have the other necesities to live... (talking out of my a$$ is fun!)

 

[McBeck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7220084#post7220084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mjpelikan
(talking out of my a$$ is fun!)

:lmao:

Clean, white limestone rock shouldn't leach silicates b/c it's calcium-based, not silica-based.

 

[DrBDC]

Yep, limestone is old coral reef.