Fossilized coral

BubbaWPB · 02-11-2006, 08:50 PM

I found a source of relatively cheap (what appears to be) fossilized coral. The pet shop says it's "limestone". I'm assuming that the calcium carbonate has changed crystalline structure from aragonite to calcite in these rocks. I've heard that this is one of the major types of rock that is used in FL for culturing live rock.

I was wondering if anyone tried this in his/her tank. I'm assuming that if it turns into live rock when tossed in the ocean, it will turn into live rock if tossed into the tank with some live rock to seed it. Anyone try this?

**Ninong** · 02-11-2006, 10:40 PM

Limestone is used in live rock aquaculture in Florida. Pieces of limestone are placed in the Gulf of Mexico where they are exposed to marine organisms. Then, after a couple of years, these rocks are removed and sold as aquacultured live rock. It is much heavier than regular live rock from the South Pacific. And, for better or worse, it will be colonized with marine life (the good and the bad) from the Gulf of Mexico. Some people like it. Since it is usually harvested the same day that it is shipped, it will be fresh.

I wouldn't recommend using freshly dug up limestone in a reef aquarium but that's up to you. I guess some people do it. You might also use marble for that matter. Terrestrial limestone over the ages may have been infiltrated with impurities that could prove problematic in a reef aquarium. Just something to consider.

I prefer regular live rock myself. In the South Pacific they are now aquaculturing live rock but they use concrete to make the base pieces that they then place in the oean for a couple of years. There are ways to produce concrete so that it is very porous. It's not any cheaper than regular live rock but some people consider it more environmentally friendly. As long as they collect their live rock from rubble zones, I don't see much of an ethical problem. Especially not compared to places that have built all of their roads and even entire airports using LIVE coral reefs as the source of their building material.

BubbaWPB · 02-11-2006, 11:58 PM

Thanks. I guess if the limestone leeches out some impurities when in the gulf, the impurities would be a lot more dilute than in a tank.... I see your concern.

**Ninong** · 02-12-2006, 01:04 AM

Terrestrial limestone deposits can be millions of years old and movement of the earth's crust may have rearranged things to the point where the limestone has other minerals in close proximity. I prefer to use live rock that was living coral skeleton within the past century or so.

You could use limestone but it's just something I wouldn't do.

02-11-2006, 08:50 PM	#1
BubbaWPB Governor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,234	Fossilized coral I found a source of relatively cheap (what appears to be) fossilized coral. The pet shop says it's "limestone". I'm assuming that the calcium carbonate has changed crystalline structure from aragonite to calcite in these rocks. I've heard that this is one of the major types of rock that is used in FL for culturing live rock. I was wondering if anyone tried this in his/her tank. I'm assuming that if it turns into live rock when tossed in the ocean, it will turn into live rock if tossed into the tank with some live rock to seed it. Anyone try this? __________________ Bubba Hmmm... now that the tank is full, I could convert the pool to saltwater... Bubba's Aquarium Log

02-11-2006, 10:40 PM	#2
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,495	Limestone is used in live rock aquaculture in Florida. Pieces of limestone are placed in the Gulf of Mexico where they are exposed to marine organisms. Then, after a couple of years, these rocks are removed and sold as aquacultured live rock. It is much heavier than regular live rock from the South Pacific. And, for better or worse, it will be colonized with marine life (the good and the bad) from the Gulf of Mexico. Some people like it. Since it is usually harvested the same day that it is shipped, it will be fresh. I wouldn't recommend using freshly dug up limestone in a reef aquarium but that's up to you. I guess some people do it. You might also use marble for that matter. Terrestrial limestone over the ages may have been infiltrated with impurities that could prove problematic in a reef aquarium. Just something to consider. I prefer regular live rock myself. In the South Pacific they are now aquaculturing live rock but they use concrete to make the base pieces that they then place in the oean for a couple of years. There are ways to produce concrete so that it is very porous. It's not any cheaper than regular live rock but some people consider it more environmentally friendly. As long as they collect their live rock from rubble zones, I don't see much of an ethical problem. Especially not compared to places that have built all of their roads and even entire airports using LIVE coral reefs as the source of their building material. __________________ Ninong

02-11-2006, 11:58 PM	#3
BubbaWPB Governor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 1,234	Thanks. I guess if the limestone leeches out some impurities when in the gulf, the impurities would be a lot more dilute than in a tank.... I see your concern. __________________ Bubba Hmmm... now that the tank is full, I could convert the pool to saltwater... Bubba's Aquarium Log

02-12-2006, 01:04 AM	#4
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,495	Terrestrial limestone deposits can be millions of years old and movement of the earth's crust may have rearranged things to the point where the limestone has other minerals in close proximity. I prefer to use live rock that was living coral skeleton within the past century or so. You could use limestone but it's just something I wouldn't do. __________________ Ninong

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