What should I do?

spec33 · 06/26/2016, 07:43 PM

I will be setting up a 3 gallon pico soon and am having trouvle deciding what to do.

My first option is to get the real reef rock from the lfs that im assuming is dyed purple and go bb. The rock has been sitting in a huge tub probably for a year so it has bacteria on it. With this option ill know exactly whats in the tank.

Option 2 is two have a thin layer of sand and get florida lr from the lfs that is covered with sponges macroalgae stars urchins and who knows what else and set up a tank with that.

Any suggestions?

BigEZ77 · 06/26/2016, 08:01 PM

I have Realreef rock and have had no issues. It will pump up your mag and cal numbers a bit. Mine's not BB though, I have a 2" sandbed.

spec33 · 06/26/2016, 08:04 PM

how porous is the real reef rock?

BigEZ77 · 06/26/2016, 08:08 PM

Not very porous at all. I suppose that would be a strike against it.

spec33 · 06/26/2016, 08:57 PM

Would a sand bed just turn into a nutrient sink in this small of a tank anyways unless its changed out completely often? I may go away from the real reef rock sinc its not porous and its expensive.

Bl4ckDr4g0n · 06/26/2016, 09:13 PM

I am not sure how you are going to get much filter media in such a tiny space. If I were going to consider such a venture I might just put some marinepure at the bottom of the tank and not really worry about whether the rock in the tank is enough for filtration.

06/26/2016, 07:43 PM	#1
spec33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 120	What should I do? I will be setting up a 3 gallon pico soon and am having trouvle deciding what to do. My first option is to get the real reef rock from the lfs that im assuming is dyed purple and go bb. The rock has been sitting in a huge tub probably for a year so it has bacteria on it. With this option ill know exactly whats in the tank. Option 2 is two have a thin layer of sand and get florida lr from the lfs that is covered with sponges macroalgae stars urchins and who knows what else and set up a tank with that. Any suggestions?

06/26/2016, 08:01 PM	#2
BigEZ77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 797	I have Realreef rock and have had no issues. It will pump up your mag and cal numbers a bit. Mine's not BB though, I have a 2" sandbed. __________________ Russell Banggai / Yellow Wrasse / Black Ice and Davinci Clowns / Flame Angel / Royal Gramma / Blue Chromis / LPS (dominated) / Monti's / Softies / BTA's Current Tank Info: 45G Rimless, Tunze 9004, Kessil A160WE, Gyre XF130, 50lbs rock, Reef Crystals, Phosguard in reactor, Matrix, Chemipure Blue and NP XL biopellets in sump

06/26/2016, 08:08 PM	#4
BigEZ77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ottawa ON Canada Posts: 797	Not very porous at all. I suppose that would be a strike against it. __________________ Russell Banggai / Yellow Wrasse / Black Ice and Davinci Clowns / Flame Angel / Royal Gramma / Blue Chromis / LPS (dominated) / Monti's / Softies / BTA's Current Tank Info: 45G Rimless, Tunze 9004, Kessil A160WE, Gyre XF130, 50lbs rock, Reef Crystals, Phosguard in reactor, Matrix, Chemipure Blue and NP XL biopellets in sump

06/26/2016, 09:13 PM	#6
Bl4ckDr4g0n Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 124	I am not sure how you are going to get much filter media in such a tiny space. If I were going to consider such a venture I might just put some marinepure at the bottom of the tank and not really worry about whether the rock in the tank is enough for filtration. __________________ Aqueon 65 Reef Ready, 29 Gallon Sump 1 VorTech MP40W, 2 VorTech MP10Ws, Vertex Omega 130 Radeon xr30 pro gen 3 Current Tank Info: 65 Gallon

06/26/2016, 08:04 PM	#3
spec33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 120	how porous is the real reef rock?

06/26/2016, 08:57 PM	#5
spec33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 120	Would a sand bed just turn into a nutrient sink in this small of a tank anyways unless its changed out completely often? I may go away from the real reef rock sinc its not porous and its expensive.