Natural stone tile - do you see any issue?

[ZoWhat]

I've been using these tiles as growing plates for zoas for well over a year maybe 2.

Zoas do grow on them. But several zoas in my tank are NOT doing so well shrinking, closing, slow growth

I have at great length trying to figure out why some zoas will close up and hide for weeks, then reappear, then hide, DRIVING ME CRAZY

My husbandry; lighting, flow, no3, po4 , calc, alk, mag, potassium, trace, lack of pests, just about EVERYTHING in check that zoas should be busting.

one last area is sending off a $50 ICP test to see is some kind of leeching is going on, aluminum (?) and the like.

My tiles pictured above.... see any issue? Im.not sure what "type" of natural stone it is.

Thoughts????


.

 

[Yates273]

I use the same ones but the small squares which are travertine no issues at all. This is what I use. the colored ones I stay away from. Don’t remember why though.

 

[ZoWhat]

Found on their website:

Travertine is a type of limestone that is formed by mineral deposits from natural springs. This sedimentary stone is created by a rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, known as calcite. Other minerals mix together with the calcite to create unique swirls and movement that give travertine its distinctive character.

That "other materials" statement scares me a little.

What also concerns me is this stone never turns the color of LR around it. Stay preyy clean of an algae film..Hmmmm.

Thoughts?

 

[BeltedCoyote]

I think your suspicion is warranted. After reading through this that was my first thought as well.

not that I have any expertise to back the above up.

but still…what are those mystery minerals?

 

[ZoWhat]

More research on travertine

Both of the major calcium carbonate minerals, calcite and aragonite, are found in hot spring travertines; aragonite is preferentially precipitated when temperatures are hot, while calcite dominates when temperatures are cooler. When pure and fine, travertine is white, but often it is brown to yellow due to impurities.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

More research on travertine

Both of the major calcium carbonate minerals, calcite and aragonite, are found in hot spring travertines; aragonite is preferentially precipitated when temperatures are hot, while calcite dominates when temperatures are cooler. When pure and fine, travertine is white, but often it is brown to yellow due to impurities.

it’s those impurities that have me thinking

 

[mdb_talon]

I use the same things for some coral. No issues with them in several years. ICP tests have been fine. Maybe i been lucky or maybe just because my use of them is pretty minor(usually just for some acros, leptoseris, montiporas, and some cyphastrea) relative to my water volume.

 

[ZoWhat]

it’s those impurities that have me thinking

I know... I posted this question on the Reef Chemistry section

 

[BeltedCoyote]

I know... I posted this question on the Reef Chemistry section

I know. You’re quite prolific my friend.

 

[ZoWhat]

I know. You’re quite prolific my friend.

Better than being called antilific

 

[X-37B]

Travertine is 99% calcite.
Impurities can be sulphur, ferrous compounds, organic matter, all which give it the color other than white.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Better than being called antilific

indeed. One wouldn’t want to come across as lugubrious.

on topic though. Wish we reefers had a better idea of what trace elements did what. As well as how certain chemicals actually interact with our livestock. I mean, we’re told our reefs need certain elements or chemicals but there’s not a lot of data to back up such claims on anything beyond alk, Ca, mg, as well as nitrate and phosphate.

beyond that. We don’t even know what some of these elements we’re told are out of line even do

 

[Yates273]

Travertine is 99% calcite.
Impurities can be sulphur, ferrous compounds, organic matter, all which give it the color other than white.

Guess this was the reason I only
chose to Utilize the white tiles. I know
I read something but wasn’t sure and didn’t want to provide inaccurate info.

 

[BaghdadBean]

Some stone tile comes pretreated with sealant so that when you’re putting in grout it doesn’t stick to the tile. They don’t always label that on the box, but you can email manufacturers and occasionally get an answer. This is an issue because sometimes the pretreatment also includes algicidal/mildew preventative stuff, since most home owners don’t prefer the mossy natural look in their foyers or bathrooms. (Things you learn while DIY’ing old house renovations).

 

[Shooter6]

I use these tiles in my new sps tank. I've sent out 12 icp test, 1 per month since filled, and zero negative results also mine grow coraline ect on them.

 

[Shooter6]

All these are the rectangular travertine cut up