Almost all base rock tank?

crabsy · 02/02/2007, 06:25 PM

Anyone do their tank using all base rock seeded with just a few pieces of live rock? How's it doing? Any problems?

Thank you

virginiadiver69 · 02/02/2007, 06:32 PM

I am just starting my tank and am doing the same thing. I am doing a 125 gal. I added 20 lbs of very fresh uncured rock and will use about 100 lbs of DRY rock. The dry rock I can get for about $1.50/lb so this will be a huge savings. It will probably take along time for my dry rock to get any growth but with a savings of approx $800 I can wait! I'm in this for the long haul. Besides, the rock will eventually be covered in coral anyway. Who could ever tell the difference.

crabsy · 02/02/2007, 06:42 PM

I'm with you!

Anyone else?

nhlives · 02/02/2007, 06:46 PM

I am just finishing my first week with all base rock (100# base, 10# of LR)

Going well but there is much more die off on the base than I expected. I am having a pretty deep cycle - has been stinking up the house. Looks to be getting under control after a 25% water change and some carbon.

rtecanoe · 02/02/2007, 08:38 PM

I've been looking to possibly do the same thing for a new tank. I've read that you can expect a cycle with the base rock, and then it will take about 3 months before you'll start seeing coraline algae starting to grow on it.

nhlives · 02/02/2007, 08:41 PM

I recommend this stuff: http://www.marcorocks.com/. It is a bit more expensive than some base but it is pretty awesome for looks.

But because of the many nooks and crannies, it has considerable organic material and will cause a pretty deep cycle.

02/02/2007, 06:25 PM	#1
crabsy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 172	Almost all base rock tank? Anyone do their tank using all base rock seeded with just a few pieces of live rock? How's it doing? Any problems? Thank you

02/02/2007, 06:32 PM	#2
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	I am just starting my tank and am doing the same thing. I am doing a 125 gal. I added 20 lbs of very fresh uncured rock and will use about 100 lbs of DRY rock. The dry rock I can get for about $1.50/lb so this will be a huge savings. It will probably take along time for my dry rock to get any growth but with a savings of approx $800 I can wait! I'm in this for the long haul. Besides, the rock will eventually be covered in coral anyway. Who could ever tell the difference. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

02/02/2007, 08:38 PM	#5
rtecanoe Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oakdale, Long Island Posts: 512	I've been looking to possibly do the same thing for a new tank. I've read that you can expect a cycle with the base rock, and then it will take about 3 months before you'll start seeing coraline algae starting to grow on it. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: 180 gallon reef

02/02/2007, 06:42 PM	#3
crabsy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 172	I'm with you! Anyone else?

02/02/2007, 06:46 PM	#4
nhlives Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 247	I am just finishing my first week with all base rock (100# base, 10# of LR) Going well but there is much more die off on the base than I expected. I am having a pretty deep cycle - has been stinking up the house. Looks to be getting under control after a 25% water change and some carbon.

02/02/2007, 08:41 PM	#6
nhlives Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 247	I recommend this stuff: http://www.marcorocks.com/. It is a bit more expensive than some base but it is pretty awesome for looks. But because of the many nooks and crannies, it has considerable organic material and will cause a pretty deep cycle.