Quartz Rocks (Amethyst, etc.) in a Marine Aquarium? safe?

[supershaji]

Hi all!

I'm attching pics of some Rocks which i added into my cycling Marine tank as decoratives for aquascaping it:

they are mainly Amethyst rocks as well as some Green Quartz rocks mined on some of my field trips!

I also have a large piece of 'Granite' rock alsong with 2 dead coral skeletons in the same tank.

it's a 80 gal tank which is in its 3rd week of cycling with 10 mollies.

Before dding all these ocks and skeletons, i kept them soaked in HOT (not boiling) water for abt 24 hrs before i rinsed them again and put them into the tank.

Do let me know if adding such Quartz and granite rocks into a MArine Aquarium is safe.

I do plan to get Live Rock and a skimmer later on.

Regards

Shaji

 

[SnowManSnow]

not sure about quartz but i THINK granite will raise PH won't it?

b

 

[Anonymous]

My concern is that many green mineral composites are green because of copper compounds in them. Might want to check that out.

 

[Anonymous]

On second look, that looks like olivine there and that mineral is

(Mg, Fe)2SiO4, Magnesium Iron Silicate.

I might still have it looked at by the local high-school or college earth sciences teacher though. My knowledge is strictly nerd-level :lol:

 

[trigger0214]

I think you should be okay. But it's not very pourous....which is one of the many great advantages of live/base rock.

I just made a bunch of my own agrocrete....check out garf.org

 

[trigger0214]

PS. Magnesium Sulfate is a main ingredient in Portland cement (i.e agrocrete).

 

[supershaji]

Hey thanks fellas!

y understanding was that quartz is silica (SiO2) and would be fine in a marine aquarium, but since it's my 1st time, i didnt wanna take any chances!

I guess i could just go ahead then? lets see about the PH levels, if they do hike for no reason, out goes the granite!

I have checked your site trigger, and u'd be happy to know that it's been in my favourites since a long time, i shall gte more advanced as i get used with whats on hand now... will consult u again.. real soon mate!

Now all i have to decide is what kinda fish to keep..

Shaji

 

[Charlesr1958]

While I have no clue as to why not to use it, I would assume there is a good reason not to since you just dont see that type of rock in common use within the hobby. I would be concerned with heavy metals possibly leeching out.

Chuck

 

[wade1]

Quartz would be safe, its highly unreactive. I would be more catious about other types of rock, but even granite has such a low amount of porosity I wouldn't worry about it. However, you really need to verify what you have is a quartz type mineral... other things like feldspar might dissolve into the tank with time.