Texas Holey Rock?

[DirtDiggler2823]

Is Texas Holey Rock reef safe? I have quite a bit from my cichlid tanks, and while I don't plan on using it exclusively, I would like to use it as a base rock. Does anyone have experience with this? Isn't Marcos Rocks basically the same thing?

 

[jdpeters]

I would pass on it. It’s so dense and wouldn’t allow much surface area for biological filtration

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

I would pass on it. It’s so dense and wouldn’t allow much surface area for biological filtration

Is that the only limiting factor? Anything I should be worried about chemically?

 

[Dom]

Is that the only limiting factor? Anything I should be worried about chemically?

You have to be concerned with the composition of the rock and what could leech out that is potentially harmful to your tank.

I recently asked the same question about volcanic rock. It is extremely porous and I thought it might provide lots of surface area for nitrifying bacteria. My concern was what metals might be in the rock which could cause harm to the tank and it's inhabitants.

I set up a test tank and took a chance. So far, no issues; just a normal tank cycle. My next step is to add inhabitants... something hearty, like damsels.

 

[scott11106]

i dont think it would harm the tank (but of course i dont know anything about its creation or what it has been exposed to) but you really want to have every bit of rock as porus as possible as we need to use it as a filter. if fresh water it would not matter as much but salt water you would kick yourself later and then have to pull it and replace later

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

You have to be concerned with the composition of the rock and what could leech out that is potentially harmful to your tank.

I recently asked the same question about volcanic rock. It is extremely porous and I thought it might provide lots of surface area for nitrifying bacteria. My concern was what metals might be in the rock which could cause harm to the tank and it's inhabitants.

I set up a test tank and took a chance. So far, no issues; just a normal tank cycle. My next step is to add inhabitants... something hearty, like damsels.

I suppose that since I've been using the rock in my freshwater tanks that it may have already either leeched everything out, or absorbed some things from the tap water, but the tap water has been pretty clean everywhere I've been. I plan on using the MarinePure blocks to assist in the bio-filtration, and I have a lot of dry rock already, so this would just be filler rock helping to support the aquascape itself, and not depended upon for any other function.

 

[scott11106]

ok, sounds good as i dont think it would be a problem
i would plan on getting an RO/DI unit or some way to get that quality water as you will not want to use tap water on a salt tank. Dont get me wrong, you can but sooner than later you will try and find out why your water parameters wont stay stable and the tap water would be at least one of the problems.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

ok, sounds good as i dont think it would be a problem
i would plan on getting an RO/DI unit or some way to get that quality water as you will not want to use tap water on a salt tank. Dont get me wrong, you can but sooner than later you will try and find out why your water parameters wont stay stable and the tap water would be at least one of the problems.

I'm looking at a 4-stage water saver right now. I will not be using tap water on this build.

 

[WVNed]

Caribsea Texas Holey Rock
This rock is sourced from Texas and is an ideal rock for African Cichlid aquariums. The rock has various holes for hiding and can be used to create big rockscapes in the aquaria.

Features:

• Reef-Safe Aragonitic calcium carbonate „
• Highly porous
• Lots of holes make this rock ideal for hiding
• „Helps support pH
• Super clean - no unwanted pests!
• Smoother structure over traditional base rock
• Great for marine, reef and African Cichlid aquariums

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Caribsea Texas Holey Rock
This rock is sourced from Texas and is an ideal rock for African Cichlid aquariums. The rock has various holes for hiding and can be used to create big rockscapes in the aquaria.

Features:

• Reef-Safe Aragonitic calcium carbonate „
• Highly porous
• Lots of holes make this rock ideal for hiding
• „Helps support pH
• Super clean - no unwanted pests!
• Smoother structure over traditional base rock
• Great for marine, reef and African Cichlid aquariums

Yay!

 

[Timfish1]

Been using Texas Holey Rock it for 30 years with no problem. Check the systems in my signature.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Been using Texas Holey Rock it for 30 years with no problem. Check the systems in my signature.

How much THR are you using in those tanks?

 

[Dom]

Caribsea Texas Holey Rock
This rock is sourced from Texas and is an ideal rock for African Cichlid aquariums. The rock has various holes for hiding and can be used to create big rockscapes in the aquaria.

Features:

• Reef-Safe Aragonitic calcium carbonate „
• Highly porous
• Lots of holes make this rock ideal for hiding
• „Helps support pH
• Super clean - no unwanted pests!
• Smoother structure over traditional base rock
• Great for marine, reef and African Cichlid aquariums

Where did you source this information?

 

[WVNed]

https://aquariumstoredepot.com/products/caribsea-texas-holey-rock-40-lbs

 

[Dom]

https://aquariumstoredepot.com/products/caribsea-texas-holey-rock-40-lbs

Thanks!

 

[lapin]

Call Jake at River City Aquatics in Austin. He has a very large display tank with some very nice pieces of this. Ask him or his staff if they have any issues.

 

[DirtDiggler2823]

Call Jake at River City Aquatics in Austin. He has a very large display tank with some very nice pieces of this. Ask him or his staff if they have any issues.

That is a good idea

 

[Timfish1]

How much THR are you using in those tanks?

Roughly 1/3 maricultured live rock and 2/3 local texas honeycomb rock. Total amount of rock is roughly 2/3 lb per gallon. Some rock is drilled and PVC pipe is used to assemble some of the structures.

 

[mtfish]

Caribsea Texas Holey Rock
This rock is sourced from Texas and is an ideal rock for African Cichlid aquariums. The rock has various holes for hiding and can be used to create big rockscapes in the aquaria.

Features:

• Reef-Safe Aragonitic calcium carbonate „
• Highly porous
• Lots of holes make this rock ideal for hiding
• „Helps support pH
• Super clean - no unwanted pests!
• Smoother structure over traditional base rock
• Great for marine, reef and African Cichlid aquariums

I would agree with all this except the highly porous line, unless they mean the giant holes that go through the rocks are the porous part. This rock is dense eroded limestone.

 

[WVNed]

I had never heard of the stuff. I find it interesting that this is the only post I could find using the brand name Caribsea with Texas Holey rock. I was more interested in geological information on the rock but the internet is useless for finding real information anymore.
It has gone from having the best set of encyclopedias in the world at your disposal to having a complete comic book and **** collection.