Travertine tile is essentially CaCO3 and similar to limestone. The difference between travertine and limestone occurs in nature when the layers of sedimentary rock end up being subjected to more pressure and heat making it limestone instead of travertine. Of course there is the possibility or probability that contaminants are also present. After my recent nightmare with elevated tin in my aquarium, I am reluctant to put anything “out-of-the-ordinary” into my tank without first testing it with an ICP test. I know a lot of reefers are using this tile to mount corals and apparently aren’t having any noticeable problems, but it might be worth noting what an ICP test recently revealed when I soaked a dozen 2”x2” travertine tiles in 1 quart of RO/DI for a month.
After investigating the different types of travertine tiles, I decided to go with the tumbled, “non-plugged”, non-polished tiles, thinking that they would be least likely to harbor unwanted "additives." Here are the ones I found on Ebay.
These 2x2 tiles came glued to a mesh so I had to peel them off. I could not find “loose” 2x2 tiles to purchase which would have been preferred. The tiles were easily peeled off the mesh but remnants of mesh and glue remained. These materials were completely removed with a wire brush. The opposite surface was also brushed to remove the slight sheen, in case it was coated with some compound.
The TABLE shows, by column:
1.The Element detected by ICP
2. The ICP result for that element
3. The NORMAL level for that element (or, the set point used by ATI)
Since the tiles were soaked in only 1 quart of RO/DI, I extrapolated what the level would be in 40 gal and 100 gal of water in columns 4 and 5, respectively:
4. Result extrapolated for 40 gal water (This is how many gallons my 60 gal cube holds)
5. Result extrapolated for 100 gal. (To make it easy for you guys to extrapolate to your # of gallons
I then calculated how much of each element would theoretically/mathematically climb to in 1 year (ignoring water changes) for:
6. 40 gallons
7. 100 gallons
Potentially dangerous levels are colored in RED....(levels above NORMAL)
Close to potentially dangerous levels are colored in ORANGE
1 2 3 4 5 6
So, if anyone using tiles ever runs an ICP test and finds elevated levels of tin, aluminum or silicon, you may want to consider the tile leaching.
Thanks goes to @therman for “introducing” me to travertine tiles…..but after all my problems with tin, I may put this on the back-burner for a while!
After investigating the different types of travertine tiles, I decided to go with the tumbled, “non-plugged”, non-polished tiles, thinking that they would be least likely to harbor unwanted "additives." Here are the ones I found on Ebay.
2x2 Tuscan Ivory Mix Tumbled Aged Travertine Mosaic Tile Backsplash Floor Wall | eBay
Travertine tile edges are rounded, tumbled and aged. Clean genuine travertine. This travertine adds a great value and texture to your living space, old world traditional feeling. Great for Bathroom, Kitchen Backsplash, Patio, featured Wall, Entryway Floors and Walls.
www.ebay.com
These 2x2 tiles came glued to a mesh so I had to peel them off. I could not find “loose” 2x2 tiles to purchase which would have been preferred. The tiles were easily peeled off the mesh but remnants of mesh and glue remained. These materials were completely removed with a wire brush. The opposite surface was also brushed to remove the slight sheen, in case it was coated with some compound.
The TABLE shows, by column:
1.The Element detected by ICP
2. The ICP result for that element
3. The NORMAL level for that element (or, the set point used by ATI)
Since the tiles were soaked in only 1 quart of RO/DI, I extrapolated what the level would be in 40 gal and 100 gal of water in columns 4 and 5, respectively:
4. Result extrapolated for 40 gal water (This is how many gallons my 60 gal cube holds)
5. Result extrapolated for 100 gal. (To make it easy for you guys to extrapolate to your # of gallons
I then calculated how much of each element would theoretically/mathematically climb to in 1 year (ignoring water changes) for:
6. 40 gallons
7. 100 gallons
Potentially dangerous levels are colored in RED....(levels above NORMAL)
Close to potentially dangerous levels are colored in ORANGE
1 2 3 4 5 6
ELEMENT | ICP Result (in 1 qt) | NORMAL LEVEL | EXTRAP. To 40 GAL | EXTRAP. 100 GAL | 40 gal in 1 Year | 100 gal in 1 Year |
Zn | 3.50 | 1.90 | 0.02 | 0.008 | 0.24 | 0.096 |
Sn | 20.48 | 0.48 | 0.128 | 0.05 | 1.54 | 0.6 |
Al | 2.41 | 0.10 | 0.15 | 0.06 | 1.8 | 0.72 |
Fe | 3.59 | 0.48 | 0.02 | 0.008 | 0.24 | 0.096 |
Ni | 5.05 | 0.48 | 0.03 | 0.012 | 0.36 | 0.144 |
Si | 2276 | 89.77 | 14.22 | 5.69 | 170.6 | 68.3 |
Ba | 23.84 | 57.66 | 0.15 | 0.06 | 1.8 | 0.72 |
So, if anyone using tiles ever runs an ICP test and finds elevated levels of tin, aluminum or silicon, you may want to consider the tile leaching.
Thanks goes to @therman for “introducing” me to travertine tiles…..but after all my problems with tin, I may put this on the back-burner for a while!