Flat rock to build reef shelf

lmuller1 · #1 02/28/2004, 09:09 PM

I want to build rock shelves to set some of my live rock on to allow water flow underneath. What is ok to put in reef tanks. Can you use flagstone or slate.

kmk2307 · #2 02/28/2004, 09:22 PM

lmuller1,

Whatever you use, test it first by getting a piece, rinsing it thoroughly with distilled water and then soaking it in distilled water. Test the phosphates of the water. If it leaches phosphates you know that you don't want to use it in your reef as it will slowly put nutrients in your water, promoting algae and the rock may even breakdown over time.

Kevin

lmuller1 · #3 02/28/2004, 09:33 PM

I have a couple pieces of slate that I used in a salttank for years when I had only fish. It had coralline algae growing on it. I will try using that before I add any new rock. There weren't any problems with phosphates then.