Can I make LR from coral rubble in HI

I have been searching the internet for an answer to this question and am still a little confused.

Can I grab a bunch of dead coral rubble from the beaches in Hawaii and turn it into live rock? I know not to take black lava rocks (due to the wishes of the locals). I checked with the local authorities and they have no issues with me shipping it to myself (as long as it is for personal use...my 125g reef aquarium).

If I grab a bunch and cure it, will it work?

 

To be honest, I don't think it would hurt anything. Heck, the reef rock we all use I believe was a coral at one point. If you're willing to try it, I'm willing to watch how it goes.

 

I agree, it will work. Keep in mind though, coral skeletons are heavier and less porous than the reef base rock we usually use as live rock.

 

+1 You wouldn't want ANY Lava rock in your tank. It is full of things that would leach out into the aquarium.

 

I dont think I understand. What then is the base rock 'usually'?

 

Base & live rock is usually coral skeletons. I've found it to be much lighter and more porous than some of the other rock. All of my rock is very light & porous and it's all coral skeletons.

Rubble would function as live rock. Were you planning on trying to build bigger rocks out of it?

 

Reef rock is calcium carbonate skeletons of dead corals and other organisms that are calcareous.

I think he meant it isn't the same kind of skeletons and\or the base rock we are used to is more weathered (for a lack of a better term) which makes it more porous and would function better for bacterial growth.

Pretty much, you can use them but they may not function as well as normal base rock that has had years to "evolve" or "weather" in to what we are used to seeing. Also, the base rock we usually see are probably comprised of a totally different species of coral than what you are collecting. I think it would be safe to assume different corals have different density skeletons.

Sorry I haven't slept much in two days but I was trying to elaborate... I might have made it worse. Also, if I'm wrong I apologize.