Using limestone as decoration

[dave76]

I am considering using limestone (very plentiful where I live) as a possible decoration in my aquarium. My ph is 7.6. I have a green terror cichild. If I use limestone is it going to raise my ph significantly or just buffer it where it is at. Also is it healthy to have my GT in a higher ph?

[RENEGADE]

i think it will up it alot but not sure

[DarthV]

I don't think I'd want a PH much over 8 for pretty much any new world cichlid. You'll also be upping your water hardness as well. Try some tests with some aquarium water with the limestone added into it and test the ph/gh/kh for a few weeks to see what happens.

[dave76]

I dont want to up the PH but I dont want to spend ungodly amounts of $$ at my LFS for decor, could I use peat moss to offset the harness increase? Is this reliable?

[famman]

No, the peat won't work in this case. Because the limestone will continuously replenish the carbonate buffer the limestone will leach off. Even with peat the pH will rise to an unacceptable level.
good luck
:)

[dave76]

does anyone know of any safe types of rock that can be picked up inexpesively so that I can use for aquascaping for cichlids(masonry bit for drilling caves?) I have heard feather stone, is this the same a lava rock? If so I have heard that lava rock can leak chemicals into your tank is this true?

[cpr4cpu]

lava rock can leech sulpher. Midelothian, TX huh, have any extra geodes around there? My Dad used to run a gravel mining operation out there for Texas Industries. We used to pick up geodes the size of softballs and fill the trunk up with them . . .

as for limestone, drill your holes, then put a clear epoxy sealant (three coats) and it will work fine.

Take a chunk of limestone and throw it in a 5 gallon bucket of your local water and see what happens. I imagine you would see pH get to 8.8 and the TDS (GH) about 300 ppm, and the KH will be through the roof. Back to the make your own epoxy coated rocks. I also epozy coat the rocks to prevent algae penetration so I can scrub it off easily.

[dave76]

I would have to pick it out of the limestone that is in the ground here, I just had a home built and there are piles and piles of it all around. TXI is still the major employer around here not that I work for them. Are there any brands of epoxy that you would suggest? all the brands I have seen at lowes around here are concrete stain and retain the gray color.

[TKOS]

After you epoxy coat it make sure to place it in some water for a few days as well. Many epoxies can actually dissolve or swell and fall off in water. Something made for marine purposes would be best.

[dave76]

so let me get this strait. coat with epoxy, cure for 48hours, place in water and see if epoxy coating keeps, and test water for kh and ph levels to make sure cure has taken correctly? Could I put some form of a glaze under the epoxy coat for coloration?

[TKOS]

Sure, they use paint on those coloured gravel pieces, so as long as the epoxy is of good quality colouring the rock underneath shouldn't be a problem.

[dave76]

any brand suggestions on the epoxy?

[TKOS]

If there is a store near you that deals with boating then try there and look for something listed as Marine. Anything desinged for the elements should work well.

[dave76]

thanks :D