Rocks in the Reef

[Wicky48]

Hello All! There is a topic I hear almost no discussion about and I find it interesting as it is a huge part of the ocean but never discussed in the reef aquarium hobby. When we think about the aquarium we think about aragonite, calcium, magnesium, sodium chloride, trace elements and that last item is kind of where I am starting. The ocean floor in particular is not made of dead coral, in fact a miniscule, very tiny part is. When we think in the reef hobby do we really ever think of what else could be providing trace elements for animals living on the reef, what is in the water? Well I did some checking and the ocean floor itself or base is primarily made up of a rock called Sima or Mafic (basically igneous rock which is composed of Granite and Basalt. Also you may find some Schist. Sima is rich in Iron and Magnesium.

So to cut things short as a description of how the oceanic crust is formed would take many paragraphs, has anyone on R2R ever used such rocks in their aquariums with success and will using such rocks be beneficial or harmful to the reef aquarium? Thanks.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I think in general, in our small, closed systems, most would be concerned about the exposure of metals and other elements in such an unregulated fashion. I will note that GARF Grunge, as an example has some bits of rock in it, so it can been done. I am interested to hear thoughts from others also.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The dissolution of most rocks is very slow. I’m also not sure they are dissolving in the ocean the way you suggest, but that’s a more complex discussion.

 

[Wicky48]

I guess the point I am trying to make is when we stalk our reef aquariums with aragonite, crushed coral, base white rock or cultured and then add supplements are we really thinking about elements outside the reef that may be effecting the biology and even health of these animals? And is there a natural way to add these igneous elements to our reef safely. Thanks!

 

[Wicky48]

Well yes good point, I would imagine these rocks would dissolve through erosion, waves, sand constantly smashing against them which is hard to duplicate in a reef aquarium. This all started when I watched a show about the deep ocean near the rifts in the ocean where nothing should survive but it does. Small bacteria eat complex elements like sulfur coming up through vents, shrimp eat these and there are a chain of animals they say an entire food chain and ecosystem with hundreds of species living there, corals are not existent such as stony corals but there are types there that don't need light it is so deep so I wonder if these animals thrive on such vents near volcanic rifts then is it not possible that corals on the reef also you some of these such as sulfur in very low purcentages as well?