Base Rock Purchase?

slappyjaw · 07/24/2010, 05:35 PM

Hey! I was online and i found some base rock for sale. Either 100lbs of 50lbs. The 100lbs is $140 and the 50lbs is $80. Both have free shipping. The rock is dead so its just plain. I currently have like 20 30 pounds in my tank which is way to little. My tank is a 90 gallon so its very sparse. Should i get the 100lbs of dry or the 50lbs of dry? Thanks in advance!

DylanC · 07/24/2010, 06:26 PM

you could get either really but you are gonna have to cycle it a very long time with some sort of seed sand/rock with it

EDIT: i would get the 100# 130 pounds of rock should fit in nicely

slappyjaw · 07/24/2010, 06:40 PM

ok i was thinking that aswell.

Scuba_Steve · 07/24/2010, 06:48 PM

Yes you will be fine, but get the 100#. Also note, that sometimes, the dead rock still will cause a new cycle. It often has a lot of trapped dead organic matter in it. You will probably have a bit left over after your done, but to much never hurts, to little does...

Whisperer · 07/24/2010, 08:01 PM

Check the quality and price against Marco Rocks. I think they have great looking dry rocks/

flyyyguy · 07/24/2010, 08:10 PM

I think 100 lbs more in your tank is WAY too much. Too much rock can partially defeat its own purpose.

The old 1 lb poer gallon rule is misinformation. It doesnt take but a small fraction of that to adequately filter your water, as long as you get good flow through what youve got.

Use how much looks good to you and make sure you are getting good flow through it and that is the right amount. I suppose if you like the brick wall O rock look, then you could put 100 lbs in a 90, otherwise with any openness whatsoever you will be around 1/2 that

RcToners · 07/24/2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyyyguy

I think 100 lbs more in your tank is WAY too much. Too much rock can partially defeat its own purpose.

The old 1 lb poer gallon rule is misinformation. It doesnt take but a small fraction of that to adequately filter your water, as long as you get good flow through what youve got.

Use how much looks good to you and make sure you are getting good flow through it and that is the right amount. I suppose if you like the brick wall O rock look, then you could put 100 lbs in a 90, otherwise with any openness whatsoever you will be around 1/2 that

Hmm interesting, I have always heard the 1lb or 2lb per gallon was correct. Where did you get the information regarding that being to much?

Chris27 · 07/25/2010, 11:07 AM

I think it all depends on the rock, Fiji rock can be very dense and heavy when compared to Tonga or Marshall Island rock, so 1 lb of one or the other really isn't equal.

If you want a tank full of rock from top to bottom, go for it, but proceed knowing that you'll need some serious water movement to ensure the rock stays free of detritus.

Personally, I like to aquascape in such a way that everything is open with lots-0-caves. In doing it this way, I basically have enough rock to fill about 1/3 to 1/2 the volume of the tank, with the other half nice and open for the fishies to roam. Using a couple of strategically placed powerheads and a good clean up crew, the rock stays pretty clean.

RichConley · 07/25/2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Steve

but too much never hurts, to little does...

I feel the opposite. Excessive amounts of rock causes more problems than sparse rock.

07/24/2010, 05:35 PM	#1
slappyjaw Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 19	Base Rock Purchase? Hey! I was online and i found some base rock for sale. Either 100lbs of 50lbs. The 100lbs is $140 and the 50lbs is $80. Both have free shipping. The rock is dead so its just plain. I currently have like 20 30 pounds in my tank which is way to little. My tank is a 90 gallon so its very sparse. Should i get the 100lbs of dry or the 50lbs of dry? Thanks in advance!

07/24/2010, 06:26 PM	#2
DylanC Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 56	you could get either really but you are gonna have to cycle it a very long time with some sort of seed sand/rock with it EDIT: i would get the 100# 130 pounds of rock should fit in nicely Last edited by DylanC; 07/24/2010 at 06:27 PM. Reason: adding my opinion

07/24/2010, 08:01 PM	#5
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	Check the quality and price against Marco Rocks. I think they have great looking dry rocks/ __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

07/24/2010, 08:10 PM	#6
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	I think 100 lbs more in your tank is WAY too much. Too much rock can partially defeat its own purpose. The old 1 lb poer gallon rule is misinformation. It doesnt take but a small fraction of that to adequately filter your water, as long as you get good flow through what youve got. Use how much looks good to you and make sure you are getting good flow through it and that is the right amount. I suppose if you like the brick wall O rock look, then you could put 100 lbs in a 90, otherwise with any openness whatsoever you will be around 1/2 that __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Marco Rocks! PICS!	floydie83	New to the Hobby	15	11/10/2011 06:13 PM
FS WLA Base rock $1.00 per pound	Reefski's	Southern California Reefers	2	07/29/2010 06:05 PM
DIY Rock - BioRock style	tblake	Do It Yourself	5	07/26/2010 06:17 AM
Making my own live rock... With dolomite limestone	chewitback	The Reef Chemistry Forum	6	03/23/2010 05:07 AM
DIY Base rock question	scubasteve3403	Reef Discussion	2	01/29/2010 09:23 AM

07/24/2010, 06:40 PM	#3
slappyjaw Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 19	ok i was thinking that aswell.

07/24/2010, 06:48 PM	#4
Scuba_Steve Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pooler, Ga Posts: 1,342	Yes you will be fine, but get the 100#. Also note, that sometimes, the dead rock still will cause a new cycle. It often has a lot of trapped dead organic matter in it. You will probably have a bit left over after your done, but to much never hurts, to little does...

07/25/2010, 11:07 AM	#8
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	I think it all depends on the rock, Fiji rock can be very dense and heavy when compared to Tonga or Marshall Island rock, so 1 lb of one or the other really isn't equal. If you want a tank full of rock from top to bottom, go for it, but proceed knowing that you'll need some serious water movement to ensure the rock stays free of detritus. Personally, I like to aquascape in such a way that everything is open with lots-0-caves. In doing it this way, I basically have enough rock to fill about 1/3 to 1/2 the volume of the tank, with the other half nice and open for the fishies to roam. Using a couple of strategically placed powerheads and a good clean up crew, the rock stays pretty clean.