Recycled Rock

[raptor72]

I have this rock that's been sitting on my back porch table for 2 months now. I used to have it in my FW tank and I'd like to use it in my SW tank with the LR that's in there now. I haven't used any pesticides since last year so I don't think there's any problem there. I really like this rock because it has a nice cave going thru it and another one underneath. Any ideas about this? I

 

[raptor72]

I called my lfs and the guy told me that if it didn't come from the ocean then I shouldn't put it in. The story about possible metals in the rock and how they might react with SW. Such a shame really, it's a nice rock.
Maybe I'll just put it on a leash and take it for a walk........

 

[al&burke]

It looks like lace rock to me. Break a little piece off and put some muratic acid on it - if it bubbles it is calcium carbonate or limestone which is usually from an ocean.

 

[raptor72]

If I remember correctly, I bought it as lace rock when I had my African cichlids and I was putting a lot of rock in there.

 

[al&burke]

I use it in my reef tank.

 

[aquaknight]

Rinse with a pressure washer (looks large enough to handle the force) and stick it in.
That's lace rock, and is safe for saltwater. And that's the best one could hope for. No one has a real idea how live rock, or dead (base) rock, is handled from the time it's collected, to the time it's in your aquarium. Does someone really think all base rock sold in this hobby is kept in some shiny indoor facility in some 2nd/3rd world country? I don't.

 

[raptor72]

I took the rock to the lfs and showed it to them. They said it was lace rock. As far as putting it in they said I could get away with it but to keep an eye on the PH because it might bring it down a tad. This is great because it would have been a waste. I picked up a few pieces of base rock to put underneath.