"Raw" Rocks?

Yeah, I know...what are raw rocks? I didn't know what else to call them, but I have a question about using rocks that I have in our pasture for base rock in my aquarium...so they aren't cured, they're...well...raw. LOL!
We have a TON of limestone rocks (most with really cool fossils), and I didn't know if I boiled the bejeebers out of them if I might be able to incorporate them into my rock work for my reef?

it should work, i have lava rock in my tank and in my fresh water tanks i have a bunch of rocks that i got out of my buddy's cheek

Clean real good and put in nonmetat trash can. Fill with water and then pour Hcl acid in to water. Acid willl clean rocks. Acid will be neutralize when water stops bubbling. Rinse and use.

unless you like to gamble with your tank I would say NO!! it is very possible it has been exposed to pollution run off, etc. Certain compounds may be embedded in the structure of the rock. For example, phosphate, nitrate, or worse...copper... Boiling, bleaching, soaking cannot remedy this potential problem. also "live rock" is highly porous rock, usually fossil coral skeletons, that have a large amount of surface area for colonization by beneficial organisms. Unless the rocks you found are similarly porous, they won't be useful for bio filtration. even if it were rocks you found on the beach I would still bake them and recured before using them in any of my tanks...the term would be "dry base rock or uncured"

Well, poo. I will always err on the side of caution. These rocks are limestone, so they aren't porous like the live rock I have. Just was curious if I might be able to use 'em, but I'm not gonna risk my tank!

Thanks guys! :)

why not buy some cheap dry or dead rock and cure it yourself?
I cured over 100lbs for the 180. you can also make your own I'll see if I can get the recipe:)

Where you think the rocks you see in your lfs come from? I collect limestone holey rock and then sell it.

I'd love to cure my own...which is what I'm hoping I can do with the limestone rock I have in my pasture! If I can use it rather than having to spend more money on base (dead) rock from a LFS, that is what I want. :)

Hey Meredith, how much limestone do you have out there? If you have a lot I'd be interested in taking the drive out the and getting some if you didn't mind.

I have TONS! About 20 acres worth!

My 55g is a MO rock tank :) red crushed granite, also a bunch of white holy crystal rock I got out of the rivers there. SE MO, Iron county if any of you guys are close. I'll be up there next friday deer hunting

ill be up there around thanksgiving deer hunting. ill be about 2 hours from st louis

Opening day of firearm season will be spent sitting in my north woods with my .270! Heh! ;)

i'll be using a 308 this year :) My birthday is the 13th, I hope to get a deer on my bday this year. Last year it was 2 days after.

I hope you do too Jax! ;) A great big 10 pointer with a gorgeous, symmetrical rack...unless you'd rather get a doe.

In a freshwater application go right ahead, but in a reef I wouldn't take the risk.