What would cause brittle rocks?

SWFiend · 01/02/2018, 12:09 PM

I have Marco rocks that have been in my system for 2-3 years but over the past year they seem to have become super brittle like I can break pieces off and scrape layers off them only change is I started running my ca reactor again but ph of the tank is the same as before when I was dosing. Any ideas?

SWFiend · 01/03/2018, 02:55 AM

Anyone?

Timfish · 01/03/2018, 06:37 AM

Endoliths are going to be dissolving any calcium carbonate substrate even at the high pH many of us keep our systems.

rffanat1c · 01/03/2018, 08:56 AM

I’ve read Marco rocks cause brittle rocks. Number one complaint I read about those rocks from day one when people bought them.

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saf1 · 01/03/2018, 03:03 PM

How did you cure and/or start the cycle? I've read a few places that acid or bleach baths will remove rock. Pukani comes to mind.

jda · 01/03/2018, 05:35 PM

It is probably the composition of the rock from where they were terrestrially collected.

Super low PH can also make rock brittle, but we are talking about in the 6.X range.

SWFiend · 01/03/2018, 07:02 PM

Tank runs at 8.1-8.3

No acid baths or anything like that

01/02/2018, 12:09 PM	#1
SWFiend Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 110	What would cause brittle rocks? I have Marco rocks that have been in my system for 2-3 years but over the past year they seem to have become super brittle like I can break pieces off and scrape layers off them only change is I started running my ca reactor again but ph of the tank is the same as before when I was dosing. Any ideas?

01/03/2018, 06:37 AM	#3
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,586	Endoliths are going to be dissolving any calcium carbonate substrate even at the high pH many of us keep our systems. __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

01/03/2018, 03:03 PM	#5
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,125	How did you cure and/or start the cycle? I've read a few places that acid or bleach baths will remove rock. Pukani comes to mind. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 40 breeder w/LEDs (Upgrade in progress. 30" H x 54" W x 30" D 240 or so gallons)

01/03/2018, 02:55 AM	#2
SWFiend Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 110	Anyone?

01/03/2018, 08:56 AM	#4
rffanat1c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 631	I’ve read Marco rocks cause brittle rocks. Number one complaint I read about those rocks from day one when people bought them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/03/2018, 05:35 PM	#6
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,181	It is probably the composition of the rock from where they were terrestrially collected. Super low PH can also make rock brittle, but we are talking about in the 6.X range.

01/03/2018, 07:02 PM	#7
SWFiend Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 110	Tank runs at 8.1-8.3 No acid baths or anything like that