Is limestone suitable as a waterfall?

sul1987 · 19-09-2011, 01:51 PM

Hi all,

I have a pond which is around 8000 gallons, has some limestone around the top shelf of the pond. I'm going to be making a waterfall for the pond however I'm unsure whether or not limestone is suitable?

The returns from the water will be falling onto the rocks.
Ideally i'd like to use the limestone as i've got loads of it in the garden and more or less live across the road from a quarry and it's easily accessible!

Don't want it to have a detrimental affect on water quality though.

Thanks

Doghouse Riley · 19-09-2011, 02:52 PM

I wouldn't have thought so, My waterfall is York stone, a similar "soft" rock.
It's been there for 25 years.
I'd guess there will be some cement involved in the building of it. I think I used a couple of coats of something called Silglaze, on the joints on mine.

With 8000 gallons, I don't think you should have much of a problem.
I've often thought there's more harmful stuff in heavy rain in some areas at certain times.

terrydog · 19-09-2011, 07:10 PM

hi sul
Water which originates in mountains or ground where there is a lot of limestone, slowly dissolves the limestone, resulting in hard water.

sul1987 · 20-09-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrydog

hi sul
Water which originates in mountains or ground where there is a lot of limestone, slowly dissolves the limestone, resulting in hard water.

Hi Terry,

I take it hard water is a no-no for koi then? Is there anyway hardwater can be reduced anyway?

Thanks

fosters koi · 20-09-2011, 03:23 PM

Hi Sul, I was doing some research about limestone this morning and found out that apparently water is like acid to Limestone and will wear it away over a period of time, and apparently it can cause the PH to rise.
Hope this helps a little.

Paul

terrydog · 20-09-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sul1987

Hi Terry,

I take it hard water is a no-no for koi then? Is there anyway hardwater can be reduced anyway?

Thanks

hi m8
a high ph is bad a low ph is bad low ph and the water will be to acid and burn up the other stuff in the pond then you will have a dead filter and maybe a ph crash to a high ph and your water becomes to toxic so 6.5 to 8.5 is ok but its best at around 7.2 ish so i belive