What stones can you use for your aquarium?

Fake diamond

Facade made of artificial diabase

Artificial diabase is a decorative material used for cladding facades. Its main characteristics - strength and durability - are in no way inferior to those of natural stone.

Due to its composition, artificial diabase is much lighter than its natural counterpart, however, it is more stable when in contact with modern reagents, practically does not absorb water and lends itself well to sanitization.

The process of producing artificial diabase is referred to as "vibration casting" because the material used is compacted by vibration.

In order for the texture of the artificial stone to resemble the pattern of natural diabase as much as possible, it is cast using special silicone molds.

With the help of special colors obtained on specialized equipment, artificial stone is painted in tones typical of natural minerals.

The building, faced with artificial diabase, will acquire not only an attractive appearance and additional thermal insulation, but will also be reliably protected from mechanical damage and dampness for several decades.

Volcanic Tuffs Practical Applications

Pyroclastic rocks are of great practical importance. Kimberlites are the primary sources of diamonds (northeastern Siberia, Africa)

Silica-rich tuffs (tracks, pozzolans) are widely used in construction to obtain cement for underwater structures. Also very important are some products of secondary alteration of ash tuffs - phloridin and bentonite bleaching clays.
Some acidic tuffs are used as raw materials for the manufacture of fiberglass. Volcanic tuffs, due to their porosity and softness, are easy to saw and are widely used in construction (for example, the Artinsky tuffs of Armenia).

Composition

Sandstone consists mainly of sand grains (in most cases quartz), held together by a cementitious substance. Sometimes it contains grains of feldspar, mica and other minerals.
If the composition of cemented clastic rocks includes large pieces (gravel or crushed stone), then such rocks are given the names: conglomerate (with rounded pieces) and breccias (with acute-angled pieces).
Cementing substances in sandstones, as well as in conglomerates and breccias are very diverse, according to which they are distinguished:

• a) calcareous sandstones cemented with calcium carbonate (CaCO3);
• b) siliceous, cemented with anhydrous or aqueous silica (SiO2 or SiO2 ″ nH2O);
• c) ferrous - cemented by aqueous iron oxides;
• d) clay and marly - bonded with clay or marly substances; these rocks are easily destroyed by alternating water saturation and drying, by freezing and thawing.

Sandstone properties

The properties of sandstones, conglomerates and breccias depend on their composition and structure. Their color is determined by the color of the cementitious substance; calcareous and siliceous sandstones, conglomerates and breccias of almost white color, marly — gray, ferruginous — yellow or brownish-red. With pure siliceous cement, the fracture surface of the sandstone has a glass luster, with other or mixed cements - matt.
Of the cemented rocks listed above, the following sandstones are most often found and used in construction.

Calcareous sandstones

Calcareous sandstones - in terms of their building properties, they are generally similar to ordinary limestones.Therefore, they are tested and used in the same way as dense limestones. However, the presence of quartz grains makes sandstones difficult to machine. As in limestones, clay and pyrite are harmful impurities in sandstones.

Siliceous sandstones

For the most part, siliceous sandstones are very resistant. Their strength, like that of other sandstones, can be very different, since it depends not only on the quality, but also on the content of natural cement (on the nature of the porosity of the rock).

Some sandstones are weakly cemented (easily broken by hand), while others have a compressive strength approaching the strength of dense igneous rocks (over 1,000 kg [cm2). However, the high hardness of such sandstones (up to 7 on the hardness scale) makes them very difficult to process.

Ferruginous sandstones

Ferruginous sandstones have different strength and resistance. The presence of silica cement improves the properties of such sandstones, and an admixture of clay sharply degrades them. The most common are relatively porous ferruginous sandstones of low strength and durability.

Sandstones are widespread, but less than limestones.
Most sandstones are dense, heavy and highly thermally conductive stone materials. Therefore, they are used for laying foundations, walls of unheated buildings, facing buildings, steps, sidewalks, etc.

Natural stones: pros and cons

Minerals taken from nature have many benefits:

• cheap or even free decoration material;
• variety of shapes and colors;
• look natural;
• easy to wash and clean;
• can be used to translate into reality any compositions.

They have only one drawback: some rocks can change the hardness and acidity of the aquatic environment, sometimes to a critical level. This feature must be taken into account when arranging a home reservoir.

Sometimes natural stones are coated with dyes and glued together. If the work is done poorly, the composition will deteriorate and bring deterioration to the health of the fish. Below is a list of the breeds commonly used by aquarists:

• Pebbles. Aquarium pebbles are a versatile decor. Rocks that have entered water bodies and have been exposed to water for a long time acquire rounded shapes. There are various sizes and colors, with streaks and blotches.
• Sandstone. Sedimentary rock, which consists of sand and clay. Sandstone for an aquarium is not always a good decor option, as it changes the hardness and acidity of the aquatic environment. In addition, some species are very fragile.
• Limestone. The basis of this mineral of sedimentary origin is calcium carbonate. Possible impregnations of magnesium salts, fossils. Has a hard or loose structure. Limestone increases the parameters of the hardness and acidity of the aquatic environment and quickly becomes overgrown with algae.
• Granite. It is of volcanic origin. Does not release hazardous substances into water. A heavy multi-colored mineral with a mosaic of various colors. Often used by aquarists to build rocky compositions. The aquarium with granite stones looks impressive.
• Gneiss. Shale type of solid rock, does not affect the water structure and composition. Pebbles with colored stripes can be safely taken to create decor.
• Shell rock. The porous formation of pressed shellfish shells is easy to process to create a watery landscape. Shell rock is one of the most widespread species for decoration.
• Tuff. This porous rock is based on volcanic ash. Lightweight, durable, with a variety of colors. One of the rock varieties is calcareous tuff. Suitable material for home furnishing for fish that love an alkaline environment and a lot of pitfalls.
• Quartzite. Small grains of quartz, merged into one pebble. High strength, but at the same time it is possible to easily divide into parts.There are quartz in pink and green shades.
• Gabbro-diabase. Volcanic stone is one of the most durable and widespread in nature. Crushed stone is made from it, pavements are laid. The structure is compared to basalt. Does not emit harmful substances, suitable for creating underwater compositions.
• Jasper. Semi-precious solid opaque mineral, which is not just a decoration, but also has a special energy. The main constituent of jasper is quartz. It looks especially beautiful in red.

Breed education theories

The problem of granite formation is still the subject of scientific controversy. And the point here is not what minerals granite consists of, but in the places of its formation and the conditions conducive to the emergence of such structures. By default, granite belongs to igneous rocks, that is, its formation, in one way or another, is associated with ancient volcanism and solidification of magma.

During volcanic activity in anhydrous conditions, basalts are formed, and other igneous rocks (pumice, tuff) are obtained when lava enters the water. There is a hypothesis according to which granite is a product of partial melt, and some solid inclusions are preserved in it. Its author was N. Bowen, who was engaged in experimental petrology. He found that granite massifs are associated with basalt ones, and the way of their occurrence speaks of the formation of granite together with basalt.

Other scientists are developing theories of smelting more fusible elements from a mass of igneous rocks, and still others attach great importance to the granitization of rocks due to the influence of water and ion exchange.

All of these theories can explain the origin of specific granite deposits, but none of them are fully applicable. In any case, they cannot explain how the granite strata of the continents were formed.

Lime tuff

The rock is also sedimentary. This variety is a homogeneous polycrystalline rock. It consists of carbonate minerals that are located near geothermal springs. The largest deposits of the rock are in Italy, and it is also mined in Germany, Armenia, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and the Caucasus.

Calcareous tuff is 50% calcium carbonate. Also, in the process of formation of the rock, it takes aluminum, iron, impurities of silicon oxides and other elements. In its pure form, the breed has a white color. With a large amount of impurities, it can be more saturated shades: sandy and brown. This type of tuff is rather soft and porous, which contributes to ease of machining.

By its properties, the limestone rock is located between limestone and marble. Since the material is not resistant to moisture, its area of ​​use is much narrower than that of the same volcanic tuff. In addition, some varieties are highly sensitive to acids.

Despite the disadvantages of the material, this breed has a warm color scheme, is quite strong, durable and resistant to heat. These qualities are quite popular in construction. In addition, lime tuff has beneficial properties such as heat and sound insulation. Also, it is easy to process, has resistance to weathering and high frost resistance.

It is often used for architectural decoration. Sculptures, landscape design elements and more are carved from it. It is often used as a facing material when laying floors. When creating an architectural design in the "Antique" style, the material is pre-filled with preservation of its natural color. For this material, moisture and dirt are destructive, therefore additional processing with special compounds will be required.

Currently, there are several varieties of calcareous tuff: Italian, Armenian, Turkish and others in origin. As for the color, it can be gold, walnut, white and classic.

The healing properties of the magic stone

The mineral, whose amazing power is known to more than one generation of people, is appreciated not only for its magical qualities. It is widely used in folk medicine as a magic remedy for various ailments.

1. Blue and black stones are considered powerful body cleansers. Our ancestors believed that they remove toxins and toxins, acting at the cellular level. This property allows obsidian to be used to treat many ailments, including gout. With this disease, it removes excess salts from the body, which accumulate in the joints.
2. Obsidian products give a person vitality, and also help to strengthen the immune system. It is believed that the stone quickly overcomes colds. Especially those that are provoked by hypothermia.
3. The characteristics of the stone indicate that it has a powerful energetic connection with the kidneys and adrenal glands. Therefore, the mineral is often used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system.
4. Wearing such a powerful talisman will help people suffering from diseases of the digestive system. It normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract and improves digestion.
5. Energetically, this stone is associated with the adrenal glands and kidneys. It is recommended to wear it for various problems of the reproductive system. Obsidian is also credited with the unique ability to heal the gastrointestinal tract and improve digestion, calm the nervous system and normalize blood pressure.
6. The mineral is able to calm the nervous system, normalize blood pressure in hypotensive and hypertensive patients.
7. Obsidian accelerates skin regeneration. It is suitable for use after various injuries and burns.

It is advisable to wear a talisman near the body that needs help. For example, if a person wants to heal his eyes or respiratory system, you can purchase earrings with obsidian inserts. For the treatment of heart disease, it is recommended to decorate yourself with beads. Jewelry with a wondrous mineral can be worn not only to get rid of existing ailments. They are also used for the purpose of prevention.

Surprisingly, obsidian has also been used in traditional medicine. Instruments made from this material are used during operations by certified surgeons.

Types of tuff

There are the following types of tuff:

• volcanic;
• calcareous;
• siliceous.

The volcanic variety of tuff is subdivided by the nature of the fragments, and also by composition into:

• basalt;
• andesite;
• liparite and others.

Lime tuff

These are the already mentioned travertines. They form in sediments near sources saturated with lime carbonate. Travertine stone is unevenly layered on already formed deposits and can even cover plants growing nearby. It is characterized by a yellow-brown, flesh-colored. It is mainly composed of calcium carbonate minerals. It lends itself well to grinding and polishing, which makes it possible to use it as a building and facing stone. Often, such tuff is used in agriculture for liming the soil.

Siliceous tuff

It is also called geyserite from its place of origin. It is a chemogenic rock with a dense porous structure and great hardness. When it is passed over the glass, a scratch remains. Geyserite has a variety of colors: gray, white, brown, pink, yellow, red and others. This is due to the presence of iron and manganese oxides, which can smoothly transform into each other. They find it near hot springs, where there is a chemical sediment with silica dissolved in it. Siliceous tuff does not react with hydrochloric acid, in contrast to calcareous tuff.

Volcanic tuff

These are debris and other elements thrown to the surface during a volcanic eruption and compacted. Such elements can also be carried by water currents. It is possible to include not volcanic rocks, but also breccias - broken rock elements, consisting of angular cemented crumb. This tuff is very easy to process. With the help of an ordinary ax or a saw, you can make a high-quality building material from it - a magnificent wall stone.

Intense bright colors endow the buildings with an unusual beauty of the exterior. Most of the statues of Easter Island were made from this type of tuff. Many centers of religious culture, art buildings in Yerevan are made of this material, which is lightweight and has increased frost resistance. In the same country, one of the largest volcanic tuff deposits in the world is located.

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We are pleased to offer you processed sandstone, sawn, tumbled, burnt sandstone, red or stone tiles, paving stones, as well as many other variations of this versatile building material, including rock products

We ask you to pay attention to the following main parameters of Rostov sandstone:

Colour.

The choice of color, shade is very large on our website and it is very important when choosing a building material. Among the huge selection of colors, tones are dominated by beige, yellowish, gray, gray-green. But after processing in thermal furnaces of our enterprise, they get a terracotta-red burnt stone. Almost every type has a unique pattern of larger and smaller stains, which makes the wild stone even more attractive, even until the moment of its processing - sawing, tumbling or polishing. Well, after processing, it becomes just incredibly beautiful.

Texture.

This parameter is important for determining the quality, strength and structure of Rostov sandstone. It is slightly rough to the touch, the structure is fine-grained, homogeneous and rather strong. It is resistant to environmental influences such as moisture, wind, frost. And it is very durable, since it contains quartzite and a special cementing agent. In terms of strength, the sandstone mined in Rostov-on-Don is second only to granite.

Dimensions.

Sorting for subsequent use in decorative cladding is made not only by color and texture, but also by its size, thickness, edges. After cutting on stone-cutting machines, the edges are absolutely even, of the given dimensions. Faces and edges are finished by tumbling, sanding, pinning and even polishing. This gives the stone the attractive look you are looking for.

Price

You can purchase diabase, dolerite and gabbro-diabase in the widest range (from crushed stone to large blocks) via the Internet.

The price of the stone is relatively low:

• Chipped or bonded gabbro-diabase, intended for a sauna or bath, is sold in corrugated cardboard boxes (20 kg each). The cost of 1 box is 230-250 rubles.
• The cost of diabase crushed stone is 300-450 rubles. for 1 t.

The final cost of diabase in different regions of the Russian Federation directly depends on how far they are from the place where the mineral is mined.

If the distance is great, then most of the cost of the heavy stone will be its delivery.

Types and colors of beautiful obsidians

Contrary to popular belief, in nature there are samples of not only black shades. The luxurious mineral boasts a variety of patterns and colors. It is customary to distinguish 3 main types:

1. Snow obsidian is the most common. It has a deep black color and small light blotches of cristobalite crystal. The mineral received such an unusual name due to the form of inclusions: they resemble tiny snowflakes.
2. Iridescent obsidian strikes with a variety of shades. It is quite rare to find such stones, so they are of particular value.In nature, you can find a reddish, greenish and even blue mineral. In addition to their unusual shade, they are distinguished by an unusual cut that visually resembles a drop of oil.
3. Peanut obsidian is fairly common. He received this name for the unusual dotted blotches of a rounded shape. Outwardly, they are very similar to peanuts.

Like volcanite, obsidian contains a large amount of magnetite. It is this substance that explains the rich black color of the minerals.

Volcanic tuff

Volcanic tuff can be pink, purple, orange, yellow, brown, red. You can also find black and gray, but this is extremely rare.

• purple is mined in Armenia (Artie);
• golden in Georgia;
• pink in Kabardino-Balkaria;
• yellow-brown in Kamchatka.

In addition, tuff is currently mined in the USA, Iceland, Cape Verde and Italy.

The color of this species is unstable, the composition is heterogeneous and the density of the volcanic rock is small. In turn, volcanic tuff can be basaltic, trachytic, liparite, or andesite.

In places of accumulation of this breed dense volcanic tuff can be found - trails, as well as loose - puziolan. Also, currently there is another classification method, which implies a separation by the nature of the wreckage:

• from fragments of rocks - lithoclastic;
• from fragments of individual minerals and crystals - crystal-clastic;
• from volcanic glass - vitroclastic.

When separating varieties, the rock can be selected according to the size of the fragments: fine-clastic, coarse-clastic, medium-clastic and coarse-clastic. To find volcanic tuff, it is necessary to inspect not only active, but also extinct volcanoes.

Volcanic rock has many advantages, it is durable, lightweight and strong. In addition, it has excellent sound and thermal insulation properties. Currently, tuff is actively used in construction and architecture. In addition, it is used in the manufacture of household items and art crafts. This breed is an excellent component for paints, making them more resistant. The material is used in the manufacture of cinder blocks, as additives to cement. Mixtures with tuff are quite popular in the construction of underwater structures, where they are exposed to the action of sea water.

Decorations from stones

Minerals can be simply beautifully distributed along the bottom, or you can make various designs out of them. The grottoes, fairy-tale castles, and figures in the style of fantasy look good in the aquarium. From the stones in the aquarium with your own hands, you can lay out original compositions that will become unique author's works. Such aquariums bring relaxation, similar to the contemplation of the sea.

If the aquarist enjoys the aquascaping technique, choose uneven, textured, dark breeds. Too smooth specimens without colored blotches look boring and unnatural. You should not pick stones of the same color with the ground, they will merge and there will be no effect. Imitation of a corner of a body of water is impossible without creating irregularities. It is advisable to leave the ground flat only in the foreground. In this case, the landscape will look like a complete panorama.

When creating decorations, you need to remember that they must be washed, cleaned, cleaned of green plaque. This procedure is done at the time of water replacement. If you do not take care of stone structures, they will lose their individuality and merge into a common mass.

The creation of an aquarium landscape is considered an art form. Structures made of stones become elements of such "paintings"

It is important not only to be able to create fancy decorations, but also to choose and prepare the material correctly. If everything is done correctly, the stones will bring magic and grace, create a microcosm that you can admire forever

When creating aquariums, it is necessary to use stones that allow not only to successfully implement decorative ideas, but also to guarantee an improvement in living conditions for aquarium inhabitants. Moreover, natural stones are useful not only for fish, but also for green plants, the vital activity of which largely depends on the type of stones used.

If the stones are not picked up or processed incorrectly, there are serious risks for diseases and even death of fish. For this reason, the owner of the aquarium should be guided not only by the wishes regarding the types, sizes, shapes and methods of decoration, but also have practical knowledge. In many situations, aquarium uses sandstone, which is a natural type of stone.

Application

A person uses this durable and beautiful material in various fields: construction, production of crushed stone and mixtures, decorative art, aquarium keeping.

The cut panels are used for interior (steps of stairs, door, window, fireplace portals) and exterior cladding of buildings. They give the buildings a monumentality and unique style. In the form of blocks, they are used to erect walls of low-rise buildings, in particular, in places with high humidity or in harsh climatic conditions with temperature extremes (for example, monasteries and temples in the mountains). The material is excellently combined with other polished stones, wood, glass, metal surfaces, and bright architectural details are created from it.

Tuff contributes to savings: the heat transfer of the room is reduced by 30-40%. Cement is enriched with crushed tuff additives, giving the composition additional resistance to seawater when it is necessary to erect underwater structures.

Large tuff stones can often be seen in the design of aquariums, imitating the natural environment of the seabed. Their high decorative value and low weight make them an attractive design element for the keen aquarist.

Landscape architects often use the material in the design of gardens and parks.

Sculptors and stone carvers also appreciate this volcanic rock, creating true works of art from it.

For information on how you can decorate a summer cottage with tuff, see the next video.

Mineralogical composition

Sometimes people have a confusion in concepts, and they cannot understand what granite is - it is a mineral or a rock. Definitely the second

Many have paid attention to its granular structure, and definitely - it does not consist of one substance. Even from school lessons in nature studies, many remember what minerals are included in the composition of granite.

This is primarily:

1. feldspar;
2. quartz;
3. mica.

Gneiss, which is obtained from granite by metamorphism, also consists of a similar set.

Feldspars

These are silicate crystalline compounds, of which up to 50% can be contained in the earth's crust, and for the most part - in the composition of other rocks. They do not have a single formula, and they divide them into categories based on the presence of certain metal atoms in the crystal lattice. On this basis, plagioclases, potassium and potassium-barium feldspars are distinguished. The plagioclase group includes:

1. albite NaAlSi₃O₈;
2. oligoclase CaAl₂Si₂O₈ and NaAlSi₃O₈ in a ratio of 3: 7;
3. andesine with the same composition in a 1: 1 ratio;
4. Labrador, the composition is the same, the proportion is 7: 3;
5. bitownit, 9: 1;
6. anorthite, pure CaAl₂Si₂O₈.

In igneous rocks, plagioclases are the first to form crystal lattices, and often it is from them that most of the rock consists. Potassium feldspars are less diverse in chemical composition, they have the same formula - KAlSi₃O₈. Variety lies in the structure of the crystal lattice, and in different modifications it gives the following minerals:

1. orthoclase;
2. adularia (moonstone);
3. microcline;
4. sanidin.

In the composition of granite, these minerals make up from 60 to 65%, and the color of this rock depends on them.Plagioclases give the stone a gray color, potassium compounds - pink. Yellow, green and blue colors give the stone both foreign inclusions and metal cations in feldspars - sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and other metals are interchangeable in them.

Quartz and its modifications

The content of quartz in the earth's crust is high. In some places, its share in the earth's crust reaches 60%. It is familiar to everyone in the form of sand, when purified from impurities, the proportion of SiO₂ (the chemical formula of quartz) increases. Its other name, which is often found in the literature, is silica.

With such a simple formula, this compound has four types of polymorphic modifications:

1. pseudocubic (cristobalite);
2. hexagonal (tridymite);
3. monoclinic system (coesite);
4. dense octahedral (stishovite).

Modifications are given in order of increasing pressure required to form them. Naturally, the first two minerals are more common in nature. The last of them - stishovite - was obtained in laboratory conditions and is sometimes found in places where meteorites fall. Large crystalline bodies in nature can be found infrequently, but various volumetric conglomerates are very diverse. So, quartz makes up the bulk of such minerals as amethyst, agate, chalcedony, onyx, cat's eye, citrine, heliotrope and others. But in the form of inclusions, it is much more common.

The role of mica in granite

This mineral is up to 10% in the composition of granite, the pattern of its location in the massif is uniform. It is mica that gives this rock its strength. In its free form, mica is a mineral that has found its place in the radio industry and power engineering. But more often it is an integral part of natural conglomerates, playing a cementing role in them.

The uniqueness of mica lies in its structure. Microscopically, it is represented by packages packed in one direction, and the bonds between the layers of these packages are relatively weak. This explains the layered structure of the mineral, its anisotropy. The composition of micas includes metal cations and hydroxyl groups, and their base is aluminosilicate.

Granite contains two types of micas - muscovite KAl₂ (AlSi₃O₁₀) (OH) ₂ and biotite KMg₃ ​​(AlSi₃O₁₀) (OH) ₂, and in the latter part of the magnesium atoms is replaced by iron, and part of the hydroxo groups by fluorine. In addition to its cementitious qualities, mica imparts radioactivity to granite, and therefore the use of this stone in construction is limited to outdoor work and non-residential premises.

Production volumes and history of use

• Diabase, extracted from sedimentary rocks, is of volcanic origin and a history spanning hundreds of millions of years. The explored reserves of this rock on a global scale are millions of cubic meters, and the thickness of the layers varies from several tens of centimeters to hundreds of meters.
• Massive blocks of gabbro-diabase rocks, perfectly accumulating heat and not afraid of sudden temperature changes in contact with cold water, have been used by the inhabitants of Russia as stones for a bath since time immemorial.
• Crimean diabase was used for the construction and facing of the Vorontsov Palace located in the city of Alupka (Crimea).
• Red Square in Moscow in 1930 was paved with paving stones from Karelian diabase, mined on the shores of Lake Onega. In 1974, during the reconstruction of Red Square, the paving stones were completely renewed and laid on a concrete base. The new paving stone was made from gabbro-diabase.