Use of Limestone in SW Environment

[tradosz]

I've been noticing alot of people using pulverized limestone as a sand bed in their tanks. Also, there is a rock sold with a Texas origin called holey rock, due to the round holes found in the rock. I've had LFS's tell me that the use of this rock is not good with saltwater because of the havoc it causes with ph. Appears rock should primarily be used with fresh water. Because rock appears to be of a limestone origin, I suspect pulverized limestone should also not be used in SW. Anyone out there have any knowledge about the use of limestone in SW?

Thanks !!!!!

[Andrew]

Some people will say don't use it but I've used tuffa rock which is similar without a problem. If you're looking for good baserock then try lacerock.

[tradosz]

Bump. Would really like some feedback. Thanks.

[Dubbin1]

Isn't that what TBS uses for their aquacultured rock?

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7138660#post7138660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dubbin1
Isn't that what TBS uses for their aquacultured rock?

Yep.

Limestone is perfectly fine. Its mainly calcium carbonate.

[tradosz]

Thanks for the feedback. The "holey" rock I am refering to is not what TBS uses. I have TBS's base rock, and it's quarried outside of Miami out of what used to be an old seabed. "Holey" rock is very smooth and has almost perfectly circular holes often around 1" in diameter.

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7138779#post7138779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tradosz
Thanks for the feedback. The "holey" rock I am refering to is not what TBS uses. I have TBS's base rock, and it's quarried outside of Miami out of what used to be an old seabed.

I thought it was some rock that they got out of Texas. I guess I need to go back and read their story again.

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7138779#post7138779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tradosz
Thanks for the feedback. The "holey" rock I am refering to is not what TBS uses. I have TBS's base rock, and it's quarried outside of Miami out of what used to be an old seabed. "Holey" rock is very smooth and has almost perfectly circular holes often around 1" in diameter.

Limestone used to be sea bed. The rock with holes may be tufa or lava rock which is iffy for reef aquariums.

[trigger0214]

Unless I am mistaken (which is a lot of the time), I believe that there are a LOT of different latice (packing) structures for calcium carbonate (i.e. argonite, live rock, lime stone). All safe....except with different solubilities.

[Maxxumless]

You are not wrong Trigger. It really depends on where it was gathered though as some stones could have been mixed with a lot of iron (lava rock for example). If it was collected by the ocean then chances are its fine.

[evil_monkey]

I was wondering about the "texas holey rock" aswell, I have a large amount of it, and a source for 10c a lb. I use it for my african cichlid tank.

its not lava rock its limestone that has tunnels and voids running through it, the holes are formed from sandstone erodeing away.
it has kept the ph in the "malwi reef" at about 7.8-8.0. I also have a piece that has been underwater for at least 2 year and is my planted tank now (ph 6.5-6.9)

I would love any info from anyone that has used it for base rock in a reef.

[trigger0214]

Hmmm. Lava rock you say. Iron you say. Might this be why I have so much hair algae? (I used feather/lava rock as a cheap filler under my live rock).

Nitrates 20 ppm or less consitently......

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7139002#post7139002 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by evil_monkey
I was wondering about the "texas holey rock" aswell, I have a large amount of it, and a source for 10c a lb. I use it for my african cichlid tank.

its not lava rock its limestone that has tunnels and voids running through it, the holes are formed from sandstone erodeing away.
it has kept the ph in the "malwi reef" at about 7.8-8.0. I also have a piece that has been underwater for at least 2 year and is my planted tank now (ph 6.5-6.9)

I would love any info from anyone that has used it for base rock in a reef.

There are many limestone quarry's in Texas... From what I've heard most are fine. I've looked at alot of it and used it in a shrimp (keeping feeder mysis) and there was no detectable mal effects.

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7139016#post7139016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trigger0214
Hmmm. Lava rock you say. Iron you say. Might this be why I have so much hair algae? (I used feather/lava rock as a cheap filler under my live rock).

Nitrates 20 ppm or less consitently......

There might be many reasons for this. Have you tested for iron?

[evil_monkey]

so it should be fine for base rock then?

[Casie]

I like using limestone. I had it as base rock in my 90 gallon for many many years and when I upgraded I used even more. If you have any questions about the specific rocks you have, soak them for a few weeks and test your water.

Here's what I have in my 2 year old 200 gallon. And my ph has been "rock" solid (pun intended!) with no problems at all.

My Texas limestone rock:

http://www.safehouse101.com/blank/rock1.jpg

http://www.safehouse101.com/blank/rock2.jpg

Unfilled Travertine (limestone) tiles for the bottom:

http://www.safehouse101.com/blank/tile1.jpg

The Texas shell limestone pavers were nice too!:

http://www.safehouse101.com/blank/texas_shell.jpg

In the tank:

http://www.safehouse101.com/blank/rockwork4.jpg

Tank then:

http://www.safehouse101.com/blank/11-5b.jpg

Tank now:

http://www.safehouse101.com/reef3/xopen.jpg

http://www.safehouse101.com/reef3/xopen2.jpg

Its kinda messy right now, cause I've got some new frags to place. And I've got a couple big glue balls on my rock to kill an out-of-control green monti. Heh! Plus these pics came out all blue cause I had the doors open.... But I think its going to look great in a few months. :)