How long do Mineral Rocks last

[grizadams_7mm]

Could any one tell me what they think the average life span of a mineral rock is? Lets say about 1/2" square

[jiang604]

a longggg time, but all dependent on your water if more acidic then it will be used up faster if basic then not so much.

[grizadams_7mm]

a longggg time, but all dependent on your water if more acidic then it will be used up faster if basic then not so much.

Cool thanks, so in a neutral tank one rock will last 6+ months?? I think I may have ordered a few to many...

[jiang604]

Cool thanks, so in a neutral tank one rock will last 6+ months?? I think I may have ordered a few to many...

it can even last 2 years. It all depends on which type of mineral rock. There are generic ones which has a higher "chalk" content that it dissolves in water in a matter of minutes.

[grizadams_7mm]

it can even last 2 years. It all depends on which type of mineral rock. There are generic ones which has a higher "chalk" content that it dissolves in water in a matter of minutes.

I'm not 100% on the quality but its been in my tank for almost 2 weeks with no change in size... I don't really see any shrimp on it so I'm guessing that this rock may be around for a while. Will the rock get smaller eventually

[jiang604]

I'm not 100% on the quality but its been in my tank for almost 2 weeks with no change in size... I don't really see any shrimp on it so I'm guessing that this rock may be around for a while. Will the rock get smaller eventually

Well what's recommended and not told by alot of people is the mineral rock should be lightly brushed with a toothbrush in cold water once a month and repeated if there is a cover of algae

[grizadams_7mm]

Hmm that makes sense, Thanks For the tip. I don't suppose you would know if these rocks would beneficial to my other tanks??

[jiang604]

Hmm that makes sense, Thanks For the tip. I don't suppose you would know if these rocks would beneficial to my other tanks??

not sure, but through my experience mineral rocks are primarily used as a supplemental station for the shrimps. What this means is shrimps don't actively absob the calcium compounds from the water column due to the mineral rock. In fact, calcium has a very low dissociation constant and is only helped by acidic water. When shrimps don't get enough calcium / minerals in their diet and before or after they molt they are in seach of it. What i've noticed is thats when they use the mineral rocks as a supplement source of minerals for them to ingest.

[grizadams_7mm]

not sure, but through my experience mineral rocks are primarily used as a supplemental station for the shrimps. What this means is shrimps don't actively absob the calcium compounds from the water column due to the mineral rock. In fact, calcium has a very low dissociation constant and is only helped by acidic water. When shrimps don't get enough calcium / minerals in their diet and before or after they molt they are in seach of it. What i've noticed is thats when they use the mineral rocks as a supplement source of minerals for them to ingest.

Thanks again for your useful incite. Since I have a few to many I think I'm going to add them in with my marble crays just in case they need it.