You Texans, Holey Rock?

meledward23 · Oct 31, 2005

Hey any of you Texans have Holey Rock on your place?

I am an aquarist as well as a Tractor seat warmer. IE have about 200 gallons of fish tanks with another 300 being planned for near future installation in my home. Anyway this Texas Holey Rock is some good stuff for the fish I keep.

I could use some sources for it. Willing to pay for the rock and shipping via ups if you have some. Not looking for massive pieces after all these aquariums arent that big.

If you are not sure what Texas Holey Rock is here is a link to a short article on it.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/tx_holey_rock.php

RedRocker · Oct 31, 2005

I haven't seen anything like that in my neck of the woods.

BillG_in_TX · Oct 31, 2005

Man, I've got "holey rocks" all over my place! I wondered what they would be good for - now I know! However, it doesn't look like I'll be getting rich on this, based on what I see in the current eBay auctions. Of course, mine are a little large for an aquarium. For instance, this one we call "Keyhole Rock", but the keyhole is about the dimensions of a size 12 boot! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Backbone Ridge is an example of "karst", which means it's a dolomite limestone uplift, full of fractures and caverns and underground streams - and "holey rocks"! The main entrance to Longhorn Cavern is just about half a mile away, but I think I have one, too. It might require a little work, though. See attached picture.

In all seriousness, it looks like the next time we'll be down there will be for Christmas. I'll see what I can find. Actually, my wife is the rockhound - we're always bringing home rocks for the backyard - so I'll put her on the case.

stevenf · Oct 31, 2005

meledward23, I own a decent sized ranch in the Texas and one of our mountains/hills is covered with rock like your talking about but I also raised ciclids for many years and it was my understanding that the Limestone/Holey rock your inquiring about is not good for aquariums as it will make your water VERY hard messing up your filtering systems and making it hard to keep the glass clean. If this is not true you are certainly welcome to as much rock as you can carry. All you got to do is come gather it up.
Steve

BillG_in_TX · Oct 31, 2005

Matthew & Steve,

I see you both have (or had) cichlids. I have been to Lake Malawi, where the most species of cichlids are found in the world. Attached picture is at sunrise, with one of the locals heading out for a full day of fishing in his dugout.

They are a food source for the most part, but I would swear they were nibbling on my toes when I went swimming. I kept picturing pirahnas /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ! (I know - wrong continent /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

meledward23 · Nov 2, 2005

What this rock does to the chemistry of my tank is not really a problem. And as far as the pump filter clogging. I am not worried with my sump setup. I can deal with that. I have to alter the chemical comp of my water so much already. Makes keeping a pool crystal clear look simple.

Now, anyone willing to do me a favor and make a few bucks and find me some rocks and ship them to me? I will pay in advance.... Of course there is the temptation to drive down there and bring back a S-10 load, but 750 miles is a haul that's 1500 round trip. Between Gas prices and wear that would be an expensive trip.

wroughtn_harv · Nov 3, 2005

Las Vegas Nevada I believe would be a great source for your "holey but not righteous " rocks.

There it's referred to as popcorn caliche.

meledward23 · Nov 3, 2005

hhmmmm... and that is almost a trip worth making!

Toiyabe · Nov 4, 2005

I've got a lot of rocks with gas pockets in them - red to brown in color, just about any size rock you could want however the pockets are only about 1/4" in diameter and mostly don't connect. Very light weight. The holes are probably too small for your fish to swim through, though.

Tufa would work well for you, and there's lots around here, but it is illegal to remove from public land and there's not much on private land. It's white or grey with lots of funky texture. Very alkaline - Northern Nevada is a rift valley too.