Fake rock leaching?

[geckoejon]

Hello,

I'm not sure if this post is in the right section or not...

I'm wondering if fake live rock is safe for the long term health of a reef tank??? For example...

1) I bought a tank and it came with a bunch of rock that looks like it's made out of concrete. Refer to the pic.

2) micro ocean, the fake rock that is painted purple.

Im hesitant to put in any rock that isn't real, but I have a couple hundred lbs of this fake stuff. It would save me a lot of money setting up the new tank...

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Fake rock has seemed mostly a concern from the perspective of high pH and alkalinity, since a main ingredient in cement can release hydroxide to the tank.

 

[geckoejon]

thanks for the reply...

please excuse my ignorance, but.... would the potential hydroxide / high ph and alkalinity have serious long term effects on a tank? it seems like most of the issues i hear of are those being too low...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

thanks for the reply...

please excuse my ignorance, but.... would the potential hydroxide / high ph and alkalinity have serious long term effects on a tank? it seems like most of the issues i hear of are those being too low...

The pH and alkalinity can get too high, so yes, it can be an issue and is why cement based rocks must be washed VERY extensively before use. In most cases, manufacturers would likely do this for you.

 

[Cory]

My concern with cement rock ia generally i would think the outer layer of cement is cured. If the rock breaks, the tank is going to be exposed to uncured cement and that will raise the ph.

 

[charleslotz]

Also be aware of releasing absorbed phosphates, can be a real pain and will set you back months in some cases,.... I would not use that rock or if I had to , I would acid wash it and let it soak for a couple weeks in LI until phosphates read 0.00.


Then again I would do that for new rock 2...

 

[geckoejon]

washing rock first is a given.... i use white vinegar instead of acid. let it soak for a couple days, and then pressure wash it. the top layer of rock is soft and washes right off.... clean rock without the hassle of acid... it is slightly smaller though. lol

i still have the fake concrete rock. i washed some real rock that i had from previous tanks.... i'm still undecided on if i'm going to use the fake... leaning towards no

 

[radiata]

Jonathan,

Are you using the white vinegar straight out of the jug, or you diluting it? If diluting, what is the ratio?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[geckoejon]

Jonathan,

Are you using the white vinegar straight out of the jug, or you diluting it? If diluting, what is the ratio?

Thanks,
Bob

Straight out of the jug... I let it soak for 24 hrs, pressure wash, rinse, and then air dry.... It looks like new rock, because the top layer is dissolved off