Hooked Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 I'm wanting to use some 4"x4" tiles on the bottom of my tank so that my clams and chalices don't attach directly to the tank. I believe I can use travertine, but can I use marble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 I'm not a geologist but the different compositions of marble would worry me. What makes one marble stone black and what makes another green? Is that metals that make the color different? I'm not sure, just asking the question! Another question is whether the tile has any epoxy/sealant? Then is that epoxy/sealant reef safe.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldend Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 Are you going to put any sand over it to hide it? Have you thought of the starboard stuff they used to use for bb tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted October 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 No sand, going bare bottom. I had starboard in my 90 when it was BB, but in this case, I'm looking for smaller pieces so I can move them around. And will pick a light color so it will look like the bottom and hopefully get some coralline on it eventually. I think marble is calcite and not being a chemist, the "calc" part of that concerns me. I guess I could buy some and do a vinegar dip test or I could just keep looking for travertine. The travertine I found was filled, so I passed on that. The marble I found is natural, tumbled, no fill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldend Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 What size tiles are you planning? Could you use the small flat ceramic pieces that are used for frags? I had some I think they are 2x2. I don't know if you are looking at marble to be able to have the edges butt tight to hide the seams but you could use ceramic tiles. I used 6"x6" for my spawning clowns. You could put them fancy side up, some of the lighter colors would look much like sand I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted October 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Hey Daniel. Good to see you're around. Are you doing any fish breeding? I don't want to have wall to wall tile, I just want to use tiles under my clams and some chalices so they don't attach to the bottom. I could use ceramic. I was looking for travertine because it has a porous surface and neutral colors. Lowe's didn't have unfilled travertine, but had tumbled marble, so I wondered if that was an option. I can probably get travertine at the Tile Shop, but they are so overpriced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JokerGirl Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Hey Katrina! I think you should be fine. Calcite is just a form of dense calcium carbonate. It will probably break down over time and maybe change your parameters a bit, but I can't see it being a huge issue. I'd vinegar test it anyways. Just bleach it and let it dry before you put it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waldend Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Good to see you back in too! I am still on my aquarium break but hoping to get a small tank going again soon. I see now what you are doing, I thought you were trying to line the entire bottom. I am getting old and slow! I have often thought of going to a place like All Fired Up and see if they would let me make some ceramic items myself and fire them for me. You could make some neat little islands if they would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 I use tiny clay pots to grow my zoos in. I know they make small tiles made out of the same stuff. Would that work?? It is pretty porous too. Just an idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer82 Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 When I was a sales rep about 7 years ago home depot could special order in unfilled travertine. You'd have to buy a box of 18" square tile however. It was 4pcs iirc and about $7/sq ft. If not, try contacting Dal Tile directly and see if you can get a couple of "samples" they used to be good about that. You just had to pay shipping charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsBugmaster Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 I have marble counters and know that you are not suppose to use vinegar to clean marble cause it will eventually eat it away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted October 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 Hey Katrina! I think you should be fine. Calcite is just a form of dense calcium carbonate. It will probably break down over time and maybe change your parameters a bit, but I can't see it being a huge issue. I'd vinegar test it anyways. Just bleach it and let it dry before you put it in. That's what I was looking for Erin, thanks. I read that sea shells are calcite, so I thought it might not be a big deal, but the vinegar test proved otherwise. There is a substantial amount of fizzing going on, so I guess I'll go to The Tile Shop and pay their ridiculous price for travertine. Thanks to everyone that chimed in. Good to see you back here Amanda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JokerGirl Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 That's what I was looking for Erin, thanks. I read that sea shells are calcite, so I thought it might not be a big deal, but the vinegar test proved otherwise. There is a substantial amount of fizzing going on, so I guess I'll go to The Tile Shop and pay their ridiculous price for travertine. Thanks to everyone that chimed in. Good to see you back here Amanda. How much tile do you need? My parents might have some travertine left over from when they built their house a couple of years ago. They're in town right now, so I can ask them when I see them tomorrow. If so, I can have Mom ship some pieces up to me when they go back to Lexington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefhappy Posted October 27, 2012 Report Share Posted October 27, 2012 There is a place at 73rd or so and Georgetown called Allen Clay Tile, they are reasonable and may have scrap or left overs from a job you could get dirt cheap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 That's what I was looking for Erin, thanks. I read that sea shells are calcite, so I thought it might not be a big deal, but the vinegar test proved otherwise. There is a substantial amount of fizzing going on, so I guess I'll go to The Tile Shop and pay their ridiculous price for travertine. Thanks to everyone that chimed in. Good to see you back here Amanda. It's the "in" thing what do you expect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffdragon Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Hooked, I think you are making a good call. Dustin is right about heavy metals making the colors. Green is copper; blue is cobalt, red-orange likely iron. I do not know what the black would be off hand. Ceramics have aluminum and silicates in them. You would be ok with the pure white marble. It is high in calcium carbonate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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