Live Rock Vs. Dry Base Rock

Good choice going with base rock!
Go slow and let the tank mature on its own.

 

Some people seem to be mistaking terms here again, I know it's can be a confusing subject for a person just starting out. Keep in mind. Base rock can be the same type of rock as live rock. Ex. You can have fiji rock that is live and you can buy it as base/dry rock. When people start saying base rock doesn't look as good, it is because some base rock doesn't. It doesn't depend on the status of the rock as live or base/dry, but on the type of rock. You can buy dry fiji rock, tonga, Florida, Lace, Texas holy rock etc. Each will look different because they are different types of rock. So you can fill your tank up with dry/base fiji rock or tonga or Florida or a mix of whatever. Some types of rock are more porous and look nicer, while others are denser and don't look very nice.

 

Just my 2 cents, on my next tank im going to start if with 90% dry rock (marco rocks). The LR that I got for my last tank had calurpa and aptasia on it...........what a nightmare.......after almost a year I still cant get a hold of the aptaisia problem (even after injecting and torching) and the calurpa is a real choker. I dont care how long it will take for dry rock to catch up to the quality of premium LR, the wait will be worth not having to battle calurpa or aptasia. Surprises? How about "Surprise!! You have Aptasia and Calurpa!" lol.

 

A lot of janitors and fish eat what's on the rock especially crabs. I have 2 emerald crabs that go to town on anything.

 

Sorry to see I missed this thread.

If I can assume you're patient, and don't have a burning need to cycle a tank and be done by yesterday; then there's no need, or reason to buy live rock.

I won't restate what others have already. There are adv. and disadv. to each.

Examining your two options, one is a lot more money and gets the job done faster, but can come with hidden surprises that you DON'T want (bryopsis, coral eating pests). The other is a lot slower, but accomplishes the same thing while being a lot cheaper and free of hidden potential problems/surprises.

To be brief--if time is no factor and money is; get base rock. There's no need to get ANY live rock, as beneficial bacteria is introduced by a mere cupful of sand, or from a single piece of live rock from an established tank.

 

i have base rock but mostly uncured live rock direct from the ocean Uncured rock is so much cooler to look at and got million times more life than cured live rock. But uncured live rock will have its problems like death of some life on there and also unwated stuff but i like it like that. Most people prefer cured live rock and base rock. Ive had the rock in my tank for 6 months. They looks awesome.

 

Go and get live rock that you can see or base rock that you can see....I would not recommend buying dry rock sight unseen..(online))..You will be happier in the long run....
Both are good but if I do it again it will be all live rock hand picked not buying online....and the hitch-hickers are cool keep the good toss the bad....
Danny

 

Hi, 200ltr tank. 30kg dry coral rock + 30KG old coraline rock. Put 30kg dry into RO only water[TDS was 600 at start] Leave for 2hr and [TDS was now 200] Refresh RO, and leave for another 2hrs. TDS now will be approx 20, [depending on how bad it was initialy, Do it again and TDS should be about 5/10. I put this lot in the tank as my base rock, and then added my 30kg of live rock. Then I cycled my tank blacked out for 40days. My dry base rock is teeming with bug's. This is how you do it. Regards.

 

There is another advantage of base rock which no one has mentioned.

If artistic aquascaping is important to you, you can use base rock and take as long as you need - days, weeks, whatever - to get your rock formation done right the first time.

If a pile of rocks is all you're after, disregard this and drive on.

 

I received 100# fiji dry rocks and 160# of sand from marcorocks yesterday. I talked to the gentleman and told him what sizes and shapes that I was looking for. He sent me exactly what I wanted. I would recommend at least giving them a call. I am going to use all dry rock and only the rock from my other tank that has the coral on it. I will also use about a cup of sand from my other aquarium to help seed my new tank. My reason for doing it this way is to take my time and set up my new tank the way I want it and not have to rush. Just an idea for you.