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07/18/2008, 04:59 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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Need some answers
I had a saltwater fish only tank for a year. I've decided that I want to have live rock in my aquarium... I've heard of people saying that u can seed base rocks with some live rocks. wat is a base rock ? Can u experts outthere tell me how to do this? buy all live rock ? or seed base rocks with live rocks ??? I have a limited budget..so i would prefer the cheapest option. Thanks in advance.
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07/18/2008, 05:28 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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bump ?
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 05:33 PM
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#3 |
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Team RC member
 
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Base rock is rock that is cheaper because it is sort of ugly. My experience has been that base rock is sometimes a phosphate repository which is undesirable. But many people go this route to save money.
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Warmest regards, ~Steve~ |
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07/18/2008, 05:36 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,020
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Why do you want live rock now?
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07/18/2008, 05:50 PM
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#5 | |
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Re: Need some answers
Quote:
If I buy base rock then it has been mined from cliffs close to the oceans. It is devoid of life and bacteria. Live rock depending on how much dead and dying stuff from the reef has been scrubbed off it(curing) usually has been kept moist enough for the bacteria on and in it to survive. It is this bacteria that is the biological filtration for your system Live rock can come from different areas--eg Figi--and the live rock from there is very porous. You want this so it can hold the anerobic bacteria in the centre of it(aerobic bacteria break down the ammonia to nitrites and anerobic bacteria break down the nitrites to nitrates) So if you buy base rock make sure it is porous, and if you use it with live rock expect it to take up to three months to fully cycle bacteria on and in it. A normal cycling time is 6 weeks with just live rock in comparison In your particular case you are better to cure the live rock and have it cycle in a separate container for the 4-6 weeks. Then introduce it to your FO tank. This way you avoid ammonia spikes which can kill your fish
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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
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07/18/2008, 06:00 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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I just got off ebay. I come across this offer and I just want ur opinion on wether I should buy it or not... I have a hexagon tank by the way...
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 06:06 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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if it worth buying than I will buy it and go buy the live rock at a near by pet store and cure it for 1 week and then when the base rock arrive I will add them to the tank...
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 06:16 PM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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bump
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 06:42 PM
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#10 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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http://cgi.ebay.com/11LBS-LIVE-LAVA-...QQcmdZViewItem
here it is.. sorry i forgot to paste it on the last reply
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 07:25 PM
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#11 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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bump
__________________
25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 07:35 PM
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#12 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 173
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Hmmmm...........Good price on ebay. I want to add more rock to my established system.
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Ave caesar! Morituri te salutamus Current Tank Info: 75 gal. glass, mixed reef/fish(SPS, LPS and softies), 2X150 MH w/130 watt actinic, Euro Reef RS80 Skimmer. DIY ATO w/Kalkwasser and 10 gal. DIY Fudge. DIY RODI system. |
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07/18/2008, 07:44 PM
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#13 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: florida
Posts: 51
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first off how large is your tank? the shape makes no difference...when purchasing live rock you must be aware that there will be some sort of amononia spike regardless of if the company claims it to be cured due to the fact that there will be at least some die off in your tank..which is ok in moderation plus fish are much more forgiving then corals...in my most recent setup of in my 55 gal i used about 40 pounds of live rock and 20 pounds of base rock now keep in mind this is how is cycled my tank but the tank has been running now for around 6months and the base rock began to encrust in coraline alge within 3 months and is now mostly covered....so imo i would save the money and go with more base rock (if you can find some that is nice to look at)and less live rock however this will take longer to achive your overall goal but the biggest key to success in this hobby is patience!
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07/18/2008, 08:07 PM
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#14 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 745
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I'm not a big fan of base rock because its normally very dense and therefore not as beneficial as true live rock. I have over 300 lbs of live rock in my system and will probably never us base rock.
If cash is an issue buy small amounts and add it as you money becomes available since you dont have any rock yet any amount is going to be an improvement. just make sure you cure it properly.
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A small fish in a big aquarium |
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07/18/2008, 08:24 PM
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#15 | |
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Registered Member
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Quote:
Live rock and the sand bed form the biological filtration for your system. Spend the money on quality live rock and medium grade argonite for the sand bed and start with a good filtration base for your system
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I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
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07/18/2008, 09:00 PM
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#16 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Elyria Ohio
Posts: 1,737
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I would agree also.......
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THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!!! ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank, Reef Radiance led lighting,20gal long sump,SuperReefOctopus,phosban reactor |
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07/18/2008, 09:05 PM
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#17 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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I've found this guy at my town who sell dry fiji rocks, it looks very nice I think I will buy half dry and half live rocks at once, since i only want to have 1 amonia spike not 10...lol btw , my tank is a 35 gal hex tank. I have 2 3/4 inch of crush corals as my sand bed, is that good ?? or do I need live sand ?
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting Last edited by RyanDragon; 07/18/2008 at 09:25 PM. |
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07/18/2008, 09:13 PM
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#18 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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__________________
25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 09:31 PM
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#19 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NY, 11365
Posts: 79
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Quote:
go get some dry/dead base rocks and seed it with a couple of pounds from your tanks, give it a few weeks |
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07/18/2008, 09:40 PM
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#20 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 745
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I'm curious, What are you using now as filtration on your Hex and what kind, and how many fish are you keeping in it?
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A small fish in a big aquarium |
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07/18/2008, 09:43 PM
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#21 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Downers Grove, IL
Posts: 343
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I have a pakbak skimmer hanging on the back of my tank, I have a powerhead that I can't read the brand cause it had been washed out. I curently have a clarkii clownfish with a haitian anemone, a white/black stripes damsel, a yellow damsel, and a blue damsel.
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25 Gal Reef :) 30lbs LR,,, 20lbs LS, CPR HOB skimmer, 1 mod maxi jet 1200 , 3 different damsels, 1 clarkii clown Torch Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Couples Zoa/Paly colonies, and Mushrooms Current Tank Info: 25 gallons reef tank with 96watts of t5 HO lighting |
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07/18/2008, 10:01 PM
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#22 | |
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Registered Member
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Quote:
It can also trap nitrates and eventually release them back into the water column.
__________________
I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock |
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07/18/2008, 10:17 PM
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#23 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 745
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Aragonite is the better choice like Capn pointed out.
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A small fish in a big aquarium |
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07/19/2008, 12:30 AM
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#24 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: cincinnati ohio
Posts: 136
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lr
in my experience, the best rock is from someone breaking their tank down.
just look in local reef club website for "moving soon" or "tank breakdown" or "tank for sale". post will you part out and state what you want, if they dont sell the whole tank, you are 1st in line... i usually mix their established rock with some fresh good quality lr. never had a algae breakout, tank cycled in a week........... |
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07/19/2008, 12:41 AM
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#25 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vacaville California
Posts: 2,613
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that ebayer seller has a great sand at a super cheap price it's amazing and bright white with no debris in it.
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