Down side of using dry base rock?

pmrossetti · 08/23/2009, 06:58 PM

What's the down side to using mostly base rock with a few small live rocks to start a tank? I mean quality base rock like Bulkreefsupply.

tufacody · 08/23/2009, 07:04 PM

Most would say the downside is less diversity and longer cycles times. Base rock may also have more bound-up phosphate.

Personally, I think base rock is the way to go. Most of my rock in both tanks is Marco Rock, and I love it. In less than a year it was indistinguishable from "real" live rock. And, imo, nothing is better than the shape of the Marco Rocks.

Here it is on my workbench when I bought it:

maynardjames · 08/23/2009, 07:16 PM

nice rock!

herozero · 08/23/2009, 07:33 PM

no aiptasia, no fireworms, no pests, can't really think of a downside. i wish i had used it from the start.

Saltcity · 08/23/2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tufacody

Here it is on my workbench when I bought it:

Can you post a pic of it now??

tufacody · 08/23/2009, 07:56 PM

Can't now, but I'll try tomorrow.

pmrossetti · 08/23/2009, 08:33 PM

tufacody, thanks, I agree, but Marcorocks look like Marshall Island rock to me. My preference is the reef saver rock at Bulkreefsupply. But to each his own! Thanks for your input. Agreed, no pests. Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tufacody · 08/23/2009, 08:56 PM

Kids went to bed so I shot a vid for ya. The movie part in my camera doesnt really do the color justice, but you can see how quickly the rock colored up.

pmrossetti · 08/23/2009, 08:59 PM

Thanks tufacody, Looks beautiful. Maybe we can start a revolution for dry base rock?

Saltcity · 08/23/2009, 09:30 PM

Very nice.....rock And tank!! Thanks for the vid...
Getting ready to buy a lot of "live rock" but I think its gonna be a lot of the Marco rock too!!

tufacody · 08/23/2009, 09:34 PM

Just be sure you get the "signature Marco fiji rock". I have heard at least one complaint from someone who thought he was ordering the "good" stuff but really got a lot of crap. He posted pictures and it didn't at all compare to the signature Marco.

pmrossetti · 08/23/2009, 09:47 PM

tufacody, Did you use anything to kick off things. Any live rock? Water from another tank? Whatever? Thanks!!!

andrewk529 · 08/23/2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pmrossetti
tufacody, Did you use anything to kick off things. Any live rock? Water from another tank? Whatever? Thanks!!!

if you exclusively use base rock only you will need to add something to seed the aquarium..sand from a friends tank and or a few pounds of LR

tufacody · 08/23/2009, 10:21 PM

Yes, I bought small packages from both Premium Aquatics and Reefer Madness. Both provided decent rock, but it didn't compare to the Marco. In retrospect, I wish I had used even less live rock to start with.

My 70 gallon tech tank was set up this spring and uses Marco exclusively. It is plumbed into a joint sump. It is already starting to color up. However, this tank is a dedicated gigantea/spawning clown tank, and uses minimal rock to keep it open for flow purposes.

pmrossetti · 08/23/2009, 10:22 PM

Thanks andrewk529, I know that. I want to know what tufacody used. Thanks again.

pmrossetti · 08/23/2009, 10:27 PM

tufacody, I'm sorry but I didn't quite understand. What did you use to seed your rock? Thanks

khaosinc · 08/23/2009, 10:59 PM

I used about 500 pounds of marco rock as well. I got the key largo stuff, and love it. My tank has had water in it since about June, and already alot of the base rock looks much like the live rock (out of my old tank) does...

tufacody · 08/24/2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pmrossetti
tufacody, I'm sorry but I didn't quite understand. What did you use to seed your rock? Thanks

I purchased small amounts of live rock from Premium and Reefer Madness to seed the marco. I don't recall exactly where the rock was from, but it was not Carribbean.

08/23/2009, 06:58 PM	#1
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	Down side of using dry base rock? What's the down side to using mostly base rock with a few small live rocks to start a tank? I mean quality base rock like Bulkreefsupply.

08/23/2009, 07:16 PM	#3
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	nice rock! __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

08/23/2009, 10:59 PM	#17
khaosinc The cyborg reefer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NW Washington state Posts: 2,345	I used about 500 pounds of marco rock as well. I got the key largo stuff, and love it. My tank has had water in it since about June, and already alot of the base rock looks much like the live rock (out of my old tank) does... __________________ Disclaimer: I have not yet figured out how to install a breathalizer on my computer. Current Tank Info: It's all torn down... someday I might rebuild.

08/23/2009, 07:04 PM	#2
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Most would say the downside is less diversity and longer cycles times. Base rock may also have more bound-up phosphate. Personally, I think base rock is the way to go. Most of my rock in both tanks is Marco Rock, and I love it. In less than a year it was indistinguishable from "real" live rock. And, imo, nothing is better than the shape of the Marco Rocks. Here it is on my workbench when I bought it:

08/23/2009, 07:33 PM	#4
herozero Registered Member. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 717	no aiptasia, no fireworms, no pests, can't really think of a downside. i wish i had used it from the start.

08/23/2009, 07:56 PM	#6
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Can't now, but I'll try tomorrow.

08/23/2009, 08:33 PM	#7
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	tufacody, thanks, I agree, but Marcorocks look like Marshall Island rock to me. My preference is the reef saver rock at Bulkreefsupply. But to each his own! Thanks for your input. Agreed, no pests. Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

08/23/2009, 08:56 PM	#8
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Kids went to bed so I shot a vid for ya. The movie part in my camera doesnt really do the color justice, but you can see how quickly the rock colored up.

08/23/2009, 08:59 PM	#9
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	Thanks tufacody, Looks beautiful. Maybe we can start a revolution for dry base rock?

08/23/2009, 09:30 PM	#10
Saltcity Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,297	Very nice.....rock And tank!! Thanks for the vid... Getting ready to buy a lot of "live rock" but I think its gonna be a lot of the Marco rock too!!

08/23/2009, 09:34 PM	#11
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Just be sure you get the "signature Marco fiji rock". I have heard at least one complaint from someone who thought he was ordering the "good" stuff but really got a lot of crap. He posted pictures and it didn't at all compare to the signature Marco.

08/23/2009, 09:47 PM	#12
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	tufacody, Did you use anything to kick off things. Any live rock? Water from another tank? Whatever? Thanks!!!

08/23/2009, 10:21 PM	#14
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	Yes, I bought small packages from both Premium Aquatics and Reefer Madness. Both provided decent rock, but it didn't compare to the Marco. In retrospect, I wish I had used even less live rock to start with. My 70 gallon tech tank was set up this spring and uses Marco exclusively. It is plumbed into a joint sump. It is already starting to color up. However, this tank is a dedicated gigantea/spawning clown tank, and uses minimal rock to keep it open for flow purposes.

08/23/2009, 10:22 PM	#15
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	Thanks andrewk529, I know that. I want to know what tufacody used. Thanks again.

08/23/2009, 10:27 PM	#16
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	tufacody, I'm sorry but I didn't quite understand. What did you use to seed your rock? Thanks