Lace Rock

[Hermopolis]

Does anyone know if the "lace rock" that is sold in aquarium stores is safe for CPs? I've got a bunch of this stuff and would like to use it in my terrarium, but only if it is safe.

Thanks,

-Hermes.

[brokken]

No. It's coral skeletons - calcareous in nature. It is composed of the very thing that makes water 'hard'. I wouldn't use it.

[ICPS-bob]

Before you use it, you should determine what it is made of.

"Lace Rock" can refer to anything that has a lot of holes, including calcium carbonate based materials derived from, for example, dredged coral, African Rift Lake deposits, lime-rich hot springs; or it can be of volcanic origin, such as vesicular basalt or pyroclastic volcanic ash that has solidified into rock.

[Hermopolis]

Oct 1, 2009 21:10:23 GMT ICPS-bob said:

Before you use it, you should determine what it is made of.

"Lace Rock" can refer to anything that has a lot of holes, including calcium carbonate based materials derived from, for example, dredged coral, African Rift Lake deposits, lime-rich hot springs; or it can be of volcanic origin, such as vesicular basalt or pyroclastic volcanic ash that has solidified into rock.

I know its not coral heads. I've had enough dying/dead corals to recognize a dead coral head, but apart from that I'm not sure. The best I can say, since I'm not a geologist, is that it looks like some kind of igneous rock. It's highly cratered like we would imagine moon rock to be. Since I've never seen either African Rift Lake deposits or lime-rich hot springs, I'm not willing to take a chance on the hope that its safe. Besides, it would not be that hard to create a faux rock surface with pool foam and airbrushed acrylic paint.

Thanks,

-Hermes

[ICPS-bob]

If it is igneous rock, it is probably OK to use. Try putting some of your rock in a bowl and add vinegar (acetic acid) or an acid toilet bowl cleaner. If the rock bubbles, it is likely calcium carbonate and not good for CPs, other than perhaps some Pinguicula.