Base Rock Questions

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by patrick824, Dec 17, 2009.

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  1. patrick824

    patrick824 Montipora Digitata

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    Dec 29, 2008
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    Bay Area, California
    I've got a 100g and a bunch of random mixed rock and coral skeletons (came with the tank) the tanks been up and running for about a month now and i cant stand the lameness of the rocks. I want all of the rocks to look the same so i have decided to go with base rock and just give it time to turn "live". I like the look of marco rocks but i am afraid of base rock leaching phosphates and other stuff. I also have an extremely tight budget and little patience ;) so i (if possible) dont want my rock to sit around in a rubbermaid for 9 years haha.

    to the point: what is the best, cheap, base rock that #1 little or no curing/soaking #2 low risk of leaching and #3 big rocks

    Thanks!!
     
    patrick824, Dec 17, 2009
    patrick824, Dec 17, 2009
    #1

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  2. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    kcbrad, Dec 17, 2009
    kcbrad, Dec 17, 2009
    #2
  3. bje

    bje Long-fin Bannerfish

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    you can also check out marcorocks.com thats something ive been checking out too.
     
    bje, Dec 18, 2009
    bje, Dec 18, 2009
    #3
  4. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    I have mostly Marcorocks in my tank. It is almost if not identicle to the reefcleanrs rock and others have said great things about the BRS pukinini rock as well.

    All 3 will meet your requirements "what is the best, cheap, base rock that #1 little or no curing/soaking #2 low risk of leaching and #3 big rocks"
     
    Telgar, Dec 18, 2009
    Telgar, Dec 18, 2009
    #4
  5. Sean_Clownfish

    Sean_Clownfish Astrea Snail

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    Do you have live rock in the tank at the moment? Because the base rock will only turn live if you have LR to seed it.
     
    Sean_Clownfish, Dec 18, 2009
    Sean_Clownfish, Dec 18, 2009
    #5
  6. kookie_guy

    kookie_guy Spaghetti Worm

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    Newmarket, Ontario
    I just got 75lbs of marcorocks from a local supplier here in Canada. It's very nice. Beautiful shapes, very porous, and easy to aquascape with.
     
    kookie_guy, Dec 18, 2009
    kookie_guy, Dec 18, 2009
    #6

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  7. blumoon reefers

    blumoon reefers Millepora

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    +1 on reefcleaners.org rock. I got about 30 lbs when I upgraded and it it beautiful rock with great communication from John about what size pieces.
     
    blumoon reefers, Dec 18, 2009
    blumoon reefers, Dec 18, 2009
    #7
  8. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    Base rock will become live rock as the bacterial load in the tank grows and colonizes it - no seeding required. It will however happen much quicker if there is a bit of fully cured live rock added to the stack.
     
    Telgar, Dec 18, 2009
    Telgar, Dec 18, 2009
    #8
  9. Sean_Clownfish

    Sean_Clownfish Astrea Snail

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    Won't it take AGES? Do you have to add a source of ammonia and cycle the rock?
     
    Sean_Clownfish, Dec 18, 2009
    Sean_Clownfish, Dec 18, 2009
    #9
  10. Telgar

    Telgar Snowflake Eel

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    yes, you still need an ammonia source to start the cycle, and if by AGES you mean 6 to 12 weeks instead of 2-4 then yes.

    But that was not the question, your statement was that base rock would never become live rock unless seeded with existing live rock, and that is absolutly not true, as evidenced by my current system which was started on Aug 1st 2009 with dry sand, dry base rock and 3 raw jumbo gulf shrimp.

    what I suspect is you are confusing the 2 processes of curing live rock and cycling a new tank, unfortunately its time for me to drive back to maryland before the storm hits tonight, if nobody else jumps in to clarify them I will try to once I get home.
     
    Telgar, Dec 18, 2009
    Telgar, Dec 18, 2009
    #10
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