Boulder ID/?

[ATP]

My brother in law can get this rock for practically free from a local quarry. Is this limestone? Would it be something I would want to use in my pond build? He has been using it to build retaining walls at his house and it looks like it might work.

 

[TheFishGuy]

Dang! Those are some nice boulders for getting them for free! ( or almost )

I can’t provide advice on the rocks though, I only know my granite boulders!

 

[combatwombat]

Free boulders are the best boulders. Kind of like beer and pizza.

 

[YShahar]

My brother in law can get this rock for practically free from a local quarry. Is this limestone? Would it be something I would want to use in my pond build? He has been using it to build retaining walls at his house and it looks like it might work.

If you have vinegar, lemon juice, or barkeeper's friend (contains oxalic acid) you can field test the stones to see if they're limestone or not. pour a bit of the acid in a depression of the rock and see if you get any bubbling or fizzing action. If it fizzes, that's the calcium carbonate reacting with the acid, and would indicate that what you have is limestone.

Now limestone in a pond isn't necessarily a problem; it all depends on what's native in your area. In general, it's a good idea to use rock that's native, since that will be rock that won't react in any significant way to your local water. In our area, the bedrock is all limestone, so our local water already has a fair bit of calcium in it (very hard water). So having limestone in the pond doesn't make any difference. If you've got very soft water, then the limestone will react with it, causing it to accrue calcium over time (and breaking down the stone).

 

[Jhn]

Looks to be granite to me, lit May have some veins of limestone in it. But limestone rocks are whiter rocks.

 

[addy1]

Get as many as you can! I have gone through pallets of rocks but I had to buy mine.

 

[Lisak1]

Those are lovely rocks! And free? Woo hoo!

 

[ATP]

The rocks are "almost" free, $60 to fill a 10 ton dump trailer. Some places I have called wanted $100 for a single boulder (one quarry included). Only issue is these are 2 hours away along with the excavator I would need to move them. Trying to gauge whether or not its worth it. I have ~ 7ton of large cobble (12-24") ready to be delivered once the snow melts for $400 and I can get another 4 ton of smaller cobble with river rock mixed in for $225. Other option is drive out get, the dump trailer and then go and pick up rock myself to save on the delivery fees...

 

[TheFishGuy]

The rocks are "almost" free, $60 to fill a 10 ton dump trailer. Some places I have called wanted $100 for a single boulder (one quarry included). Only issue is these are 2 hours away along with the excavator I would need to move them. Trying to gauge whether or not its worth it. I have ~ 7ton of large cobble (12-24") ready to be delivered once the snow melts for $400 and I can get another 4 ton of smaller cobble with river rock mixed in for $225. Other option is drive out get, the dump trailer and then go and pick up rock myself to save on the delivery fees...

7 ton for $400, I must've got ripped off!

 

[ATP]

7 ton for $400, I must've got ripped off!

I found a retired guy on craigslist, with a bunch of boulders on his land he was looking to sell. He just happens to have a dump truck too. A big chunck of those fees are for the diesel and with the gas prices lately I need to get him here this week! He estimates he can get 35-50, 12"-24" rocks in his dump, which I am estimating to be around 7 ton. The bigger rocks >12" seemed to be the most expensive and hardest to come by, so I thought this was a deal. Once, they start calling them "boulders" the price goes through the roof.

 

[GBBUDD]

AT 60 BUCKS that is a delivery charge! you are getting the rocks for free. Heck get all you can make some rock walls if you get to much.

Agreed looks like granite especially in your area color is right . does the rock have tiny specs of what looks like glitter in it?

Perfect size some to big to lift but are still rollable or folk truck able and the shape is perfect. That's what i call a Major score

I don't need any rock per say but i'll take a few ton

 

[combatwombat]

Sweet deal. Load up!

 

[ATP]

AT 60 BUCKS that is a delivery charge! you are getting the rocks for free. Heck get all you can make some rock walls if you get to much.

Agreed looks like granite especially in your area color is right . does the rock have tiny specs of what looks like glitter in it?

Perfect size some to big to lift but are still rollable or folk truck able and the shape is perfect. That's what i call a Major score

I don't need any rock per say but i'll take a few ton

Haha, last thing you need is more rock I think its probably limestone but I would have to get out there and do the "acid" test to be sure. The problem is that is my BILs house, which is two hours away. If only it were closer, he has a brand new excavator, dump trailer and lots of other tools that would be great for building a pond! So, not free because I have to get it here and with gas it will be at least another $100 bucks. Still trying to decide if its worth it and if i need to rent an excavator it will be more.

 

[GBBUDD]

Don't know if you have been to the gas pumps lately here is ct today it cost me 90 to fill a half ton truck that a little over a year ago was just under 50 ......

if it is lime stone it could buffer your water all depends where you ph is now

 

[combatwombat]

Ask your brother in law if he wants to add an epic pond to his work portfolio.