Can I use this as Base Rock?

rlanders67

rlanders67

Member
I have a lot of this dead coral rock in my back yard. It is orange color from the well sprinkler system and black from being wet and I assume some type of fungus. If I boil and scrub these rocks can I use them? I will be purchasing LR also.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
i'd be VERY wary of using this--chemicals from fertilizers, ant sprays, dog pee, etc would have gotten on it by now.
 
triga22

triga22

Active Member
I would be scared too. BUT It can work. I would clean it with vinigar. Boil them. Let them sit in water for a while(1-2 weeks) and test. If nothing comes up they should be fine.
 
rlanders67

rlanders67

Member
Probably easier to dig up some more. But fertilizer obviously soaks through the ground. I would love to use this as BR. But I'm new and don't want to get off on the wrong foot.
 
puffer32

puffer32

Active Member
Yes it will be safe to use. I bought a bunch of Tx holey rock from a quarry. It was REALLY dirty. But cheap and has some great shapes to work with. I hosed it for like an hr hitting the holes until the water ran clear, then put it in a new trash can with some bleach over night then hosed it good again, resoaked it over night in clear RO water, and it was fine, Been in my tank for almost a yr.
 
rlanders67

rlanders67

Member
OK. I'm going to give it a try. I was worried about all the chemicals that may be on the rocks. But if it worked for you. Then I should be able to cycle with my LR?
 
cannonman

cannonman

Member
Ditto the above, I think if properly cleaned it would be fine...I'm jelous, I wish I had that in my back yard!!!!! You could sell that stuff man!
 
rlanders67

rlanders67

Member
Yeah, haven't purchased LR yet. Was going to check on this BR, then purchase LR from swf.com and cycle all together in a new tank. From reading the posts, I believe I can do this.
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Solid advise- in a good scrubbing and then a soak for a week or two and checking the levels will tell if its truley safe, looks good if it turns out to be viable.
Patience is key
 
rlanders67

rlanders67

Member
Yeah, that's South Florida for ya... dig 4 inches into the ground and you hit coral. Every time I plant flowers or palm trees. It's all over, some are very small but some are huge... So I'm going to give this a try. Cause I like the holes and crevaces...
 
cannonman

cannonman

Member
Man you are lucky, dig up base rock in your back yard... I can dig 30 feet in my back yard and it's all sand (no, not the kind you would want to put in a tank) and then I hit bedrock (sandstone)
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
Originally Posted by rlanders67
OK. I'm going to give it a try. I was worried about all the chemicals that may be on the rocks. But if it worked for you. Then I should be able to cycle with my LR?

dunno, there's a difference in my eyes between rock taken from a quarry and rock taken from my back yard. good luck though--if it works out i want some too :p
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
keep in mind the orange is most likly Iron, algae loves Iron. I'd be very caustious. like some one mentioned soak and test, test for Iron as well as other things, one thing you will never be able to test for is chemicals like insecticides and so on. you'll never know. I wouldnt use it.
 
stang5_o

stang5_o

Member
I'd still try it. Set it up in a tank by itself. Add a piece of shrimp to get a cycle going. After the cycle add a couple snails and or hermits. Give em a few weeks and see what happens. I'd say if inverts survive and are healthy, other stuff would too.
 
rlanders67

rlanders67

Member
It's been about 4 months. This picture was taken last month and everything is fine. No problems. BR was ok after all. I also added about 45 lbs of LR. All creatures are alive and doing great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top