Base Rock

memorysan · 04/08/2008, 06:36 AM

I have a stupid question (I know, I know...no stupid questions...just stupid people). What would be the major drawbacks of using only base rock...and not seeding it?

The bacteria you would need would grow during the cycle regardless of whether the rock was originally live or not. If live rock does not refer to hitch hikers, but just the bacteria that it comes with...then wouldn't you have that bacteria as a result of the initial cycle anyway?

Sorry, I'm coming from a freshwater background and trying to figure out something that doesn't sit right with me.

I'm not too keen on the idea of random hitch hikers in my tank, and I will be introducing a colony of pods myself.

ericb · 04/08/2008, 06:46 AM

If you use base rock only and don't seed it with LR or LS there is no way for the beneficial bacteria to get into the tank. If you're worried about hitchikers, scrub the LR real good and cure it in a trash can. Another option is to get a cupful of LS from another hobyist.

amike5 · 04/08/2008, 06:46 AM

Live rock consists of other desirable life as well as bacteria. For instance pods, corraline algae, worms, etc.

amike5 · 04/08/2008, 06:47 AM

Your beneficial bacteria will grow regardless, just takes longer with base rock.

memorysan · 04/08/2008, 06:57 AM

I didn't seed with anything when I did fresh water and the bacteria was there anyway...I am assuming it's the same with salt water. You don't need to introduce the bacteria...it's naturally there.

I don't know if the same goes for corraline algae though...anyone know?

I understand that pods, worms, etc. can come on live rock...I will be introducing the pods to the system myself...and it's the other hitch hikers I'm worried about...some are good and some are bad...I don't want to have to worry about every little bug I see (or don't see) not knowing if it's good or bad.

Tswifty · 04/08/2008, 07:24 AM

Your base rock will become live rock over time... It usually takes around 5 months.

If you want coraline algae... simply buy a small piece of LR covered in coraline from a LFS, and it will spread.

Tswifty · 04/08/2008, 07:26 AM

Same way with your sand... it will become "live" over time. If you want to expedite the process. Simply go to your LFS and ask them to purchase a cup of sand from one of their display tanks that has been running for a long time. Then add it to your system.

memorysan · 04/08/2008, 07:33 AM

The tank should still cycle in about a month month right?

Tswifty · 04/08/2008, 07:40 AM

It all depends... I wouldn't set yourself on a particular time frame.

monitor your levels. That's the true indicator.

04/08/2008, 06:36 AM	#1
memorysan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 177	Base Rock I have a stupid question (I know, I know...no stupid questions...just stupid people). What would be the major drawbacks of using only base rock...and not seeding it? The bacteria you would need would grow during the cycle regardless of whether the rock was originally live or not. If live rock does not refer to hitch hikers, but just the bacteria that it comes with...then wouldn't you have that bacteria as a result of the initial cycle anyway? Sorry, I'm coming from a freshwater background and trying to figure out something that doesn't sit right with me. I'm not too keen on the idea of random hitch hikers in my tank, and I will be introducing a colony of pods myself.

04/08/2008, 06:46 AM	#2
ericb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Highlands Ranch CO Posts: 106	If you use base rock only and don't seed it with LR or LS there is no way for the beneficial bacteria to get into the tank. If you're worried about hitchikers, scrub the LR real good and cure it in a trash can. Another option is to get a cupful of LS from another hobyist. __________________ Eric Current Tank Info: 150 gal setting up

04/08/2008, 07:24 AM	#6
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Your base rock will become live rock over time... It usually takes around 5 months. If you want coraline algae... simply buy a small piece of LR covered in coraline from a LFS, and it will spread. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

04/08/2008, 07:26 AM	#7
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Same way with your sand... it will become "live" over time. If you want to expedite the process. Simply go to your LFS and ask them to purchase a cup of sand from one of their display tanks that has been running for a long time. Then add it to your system. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

04/08/2008, 07:40 AM	#9
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	It all depends... I wouldn't set yourself on a particular time frame. monitor your levels. That's the true indicator. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

04/08/2008, 06:46 AM	#3
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	Live rock consists of other desirable life as well as bacteria. For instance pods, corraline algae, worms, etc.

04/08/2008, 06:47 AM	#4
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	Your beneficial bacteria will grow regardless, just takes longer with base rock.

04/08/2008, 06:57 AM	#5
memorysan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 177	I didn't seed with anything when I did fresh water and the bacteria was there anyway...I am assuming it's the same with salt water. You don't need to introduce the bacteria...it's naturally there. I don't know if the same goes for corraline algae though...anyone know? I understand that pods, worms, etc. can come on live rock...I will be introducing the pods to the system myself...and it's the other hitch hikers I'm worried about...some are good and some are bad...I don't want to have to worry about every little bug I see (or don't see) not knowing if it's good or bad.

04/08/2008, 07:33 AM	#8
memorysan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yokosuka, Japan Posts: 177	The tank should still cycle in about a month month right?