what can be used for cheap base rock

[ronzxcvb]

my tank sprung a leak so of coarse i upgraded from a 46 to a 72

so i have 40 - 50 lb of live rock but i'm going to need alot more base rock

i got just a couple of pieces from the lfs and it was over $20

i was thinking about using lava rock or some other kind of landscaping stone

what can be used as base rock?

i was thinking about using red lava rock from colorado because its so pours

but the landscaping stone would look better

i was planning on putting most of it on the shelves i built in the tank ( thinking it would be better having something there )

and some to fill in gaps

most of it would be out of site

i have lost alot of stuff because of the leak

and i don't want to create any problems like completely wiping out the tank to save $80

[Sisterlimonpot]

You don't want to use landscaping rock. It has a lot of metals in the rock that will eventually leach out and ruin your reef tank (not to mention the possibilities of pesticides and unwanted chemical on the rock). Your LFS sells lace rock for aquariums and it usually goes for ~$2 a pound. So it will save you some money.

[robot2222]

can you really use lace rock, i have so much of it from when i used to keep african cichlids. what should i do to prepare it.

[Sisterlimonpot]

The problem with using rock from a FW tank is the possibility of it leaching copper into the tank. As long as you didn't use copper in the FW tank it should be fine.

[jayk198030]

any clean and porus rock.. i make mine with portland cement and crushed coral

[ronzxcvb]

Is lace and tufa the same thing ?
I bought tufa it was the cheapest stuff they had
I have some rock in my fw tank that looks just like the red lava rock they use for landscaping just bigger
This was not a planned upgrade so I am just trying to save a few bucks and use it to replace some of the stuff I lost
I had planned to make the rock when I upgraded
but don’t that have to sit in fresh water for 6 weeks to leach out the junk from the cement

[stevek480]

BulkReefSupply sells some good quality base rock, and there is free shipping this month. It is nice porous rock, I got a bunch a few weeks ago.

[robot2222]

when you use cement , is there any special you have to do ?

[ronzxcvb]

its easy to find recipes for it just do a search on making live rock
but it has to cure for about 5-6 weeks or you can wipe out your tank

[Mopar Reefer]

Originally posted by stevek480
BulkReefSupply sells some good quality base rock, and there is free shipping this month. It is nice porous rock, I got a bunch a few weeks ago.

This ^^^, check out their Eco Rox!

[Whisperer]

White cement and creativity will get you the desired shape you want for cheap. I am curing mine for almost 3 weeks and that's my project this coming labor day weekend. I shortened the curing process by adding vinegar to the water.

[jayk198030]

home made rock..

[PLNelson]

I bought most of my rock from BRS's first shipment of Ecorox. Excellent stuff.

[gradth]

Marcorocks.com