silicates & silica

[bayou_squid]

HELP!! im confused. silica is good. silicates are bad. glass is made of silica thats good. silicates are algea food thats bad. some sponges eat silicates that is good. corline algea is good( so wont it eat silicates) or is that bad??

What started all this is im trying to set up a 130 gal reef 60 gal sump skimmer and all that other technical stuff. I was at a garden store are found the most amazing boulder made from coral, but has been inland so long it has heavy growth of quartz.CHEEEEEEEP.

Can I clean and shape this 600 lb boulder into something cool & use it ????????????

how do I test for silicates??

 

[ChrisRD]

Many folks have used silica rocks or sand in reef tanks without issue.

In this case, however, I would be concerned about the rock having been exposed to something that it could leach into the tank. If you want to use parts of it in your tank, I recommend boiling/disinfecting them first.