Pumice in the reef tank.

tyler1503 · Jan 2, 2015

I posted this question quite a while ago, but can't find the original thread to refresh my memory (that's what I get for not paying attention to my thread title names lol).
Is it ok to use pumice collected off the beach in a reef tank? I have ALOT I collected sitting in my back yard and would like to use it. I collected it ages ago, maybe a year ago or so and it's been outside in the weather since. I can treat it if need be (I'll need advice on an economical way to do that too).
I'm just wondering if it's ok to use it in my sump/remote fuge for biological filtration.
I'll post pics of it when the sun comes up

bustayanky · Jan 2, 2015

is this the thread you're talking about?
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-discussion/163065-question-about-some-rock.html

tyler1503 · Jan 2, 2015

Wow, you found that easy. I feel a bit stupid now *facepalm* lol.
Thanks for the link

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 2, 2015

Assuming it was an ocean beach you found it on, I think it is OK to use. Easily dissolved minerals are likely gone.

Maybe give it a final vinegar rinse.

tyler1503 · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks randy

It was an ocean beach. Do you think there's any risk at all of nasty heavy metals, minerals or anything leaching? Also, the concerns other people had in the link above, do you think there is any likelihood of them coming to fruition?
I will do the vinegar rinse! Would a 1:1 vinegar to water mix be suitable? Or should I make it stronger?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 2, 2015

Some risk, yes, but a pretty low risk, IMO.

1:1 sounds fine.

tyler1503 · Jan 2, 2015

Thanks randy.
After I give it all a vinegar bath I'm going to soak it in freshly mixed salt water in a 5 galling bucket with an air pump for a few months to cure and to make sure nothing leaches. Should I be looking for something besides the usual suspects?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 3, 2015

My concern would generally be heavy metals, which would be hard to monitor.

JDP · Jan 3, 2015

[My concern would generally be heavy metals, which would be hard to monitor.]

I am interested in the benefits, if any, in pumice as well. There is a deposit of white pumice in the US that I have a sample of. I currently have 1cf in my sump for about two months now, showing no difference... My reasoning is surface area, denitrification (each stone is 3/4-1" and just slightly more dense that 35 salinity, or not as porous as I would hope), as well as possible silicates for sponge growth?

This is the analysis from their material.

It could be similar, but from the opposite side of the world as above, who knows! Seems fairly inert.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 3, 2015

I think the pore are not accessible, but rather are closed bubbles. That is why it floats. So I wouldn't expect big things from it.

Rob Top1 · Jan 3, 2015

So since it says it's inert except in the presence of calcium hydroxide would it be a concern in a system that uses kalkwasser?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 4, 2015

I would not assume it is truly inert. I expect there is significant potential for release of aluminum and maybe silicate and other ions. Most people just aren't concerned at the levels we are.

JDP · Jan 4, 2015

I will be running a Triton-Lab in two months and will report any significance. Thank you Randy!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 4, 2015

Sounds good.

Did you have any aluminum previously?

tyler1503 · Jan 8, 2015

Got the vinegar soak set up tonight.
The pumice is a lot more buoyant than I remember :S

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 8, 2015

If it floats., how do you plan to use it?

tyler1503 · Jan 8, 2015

I'm hoping once all the air bubbles work their way out it will sink. If not, I won't use it.
I was planning on using it in my remote fuge, but it doesn't look like I'll be able to.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 8, 2015

Ok, good luck.

JDP · Jan 10, 2015

Did you have any aluminum previously?

This will be my first ICP test, so I have no idea. I guess I am interested in hypothesis more than results. Bad science! I do run a bit of BRS GFO, so again, I have no idea.

I did soak the material in muriatic acid solution with circulation for two days then reversed with bicarbonate two more days, finishing with RO/DI. SO AGAIN, NO IDEA.