Anyone use Lace Rock in their Reef Tank?

dotcommer · 08/01/2012, 05:20 PM

I have some nice Lace rock that I purchased a while back and want to use as a base in my new reef tank set up. I am looking to drill small holes to place frags on top of the main long piece. I like the long tunnel. I am also going to be using live rock from my existing aquarium.

What are the pros and cons of using Lace rock?

I wii upload a pic of the rock in a bit.

inwha · 08/01/2012, 05:49 PM

i cant speak really to the pros and cons of using lace but i have some lace rock in my tank.

it worked great for a buildup of cracks/crevices i was trying to achieve on one side of my tank, i only have 2 pieces both look like big V's.

I have a lot of live fiji/carrib live rock in my tank as well as some very porous base rock.

This is not based off experience but to me the lace rock doesnt look very good for turning live as fast as other base rock it doesnt strike me as very porous.

but then again it looks cool with the way i have my tank setup. i can post a pic later when i get home

dotcommer · 08/01/2012, 06:12 PM

Thanks I would love to see some pics of your tank.

dotcommer · 08/01/2012, 06:50 PM

Here is a photo of the lace rock I am thinking of using as part of the base rock.

Palting · 08/01/2012, 07:13 PM

I have come to find out that lace rock is not really a standard term. Several LFS I've come across call almost any heavy dense rock with multiple closely spaced holes as "lace rock" The holes can be small just enough for a lead pencil tip, or large enough for you to stick your fingers into.

I bought about 55 lbs of the multiple big hole variety and just recently placed in in a currently cycling tank. I think they look good. I'll have to go and get some more.

Crusty Old Shellback · 08/01/2012, 07:20 PM

I've got two large peices that came out of my Fresh water tank. You cannot tell them from the rest of the rock in my tank. They have been in the tank for about 10 years now and I can't say I've had any issues related to the rock.

Sorry but I'd have to look long and hard to find a good picture of them.

dotcommer · 08/01/2012, 08:45 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.

I picked these two pieces because I like the fact that there're very long and had a few large holes already in them. I was looking for large pieces that would create a large tunnel and more open space for the fish to swim. Since they are 12 inches from front to back, and about 4' long that will leave room for me to place some nice SPS on top without taking much swim space.

ac0go · 08/01/2012, 10:13 PM

I have used lace rock in my tanks. There are 4 or 5 pieces in my current setup. I like it just fine especially for base rock. I agree with shellback. Once it's colored up it looks great!

inwha · 08/01/2012, 10:19 PM

its hard to tell but its on the left hand side, i have either 2 or 3 pieces around it, one is like a boomarang shape bracing the arch and the other is like an arch wrapped around the big white piece plus i think a smaller one connecting those.

dotcommer · 08/01/2012, 11:26 PM

Wow, you can't even tell that it's Lace Rock, especially when it turns purple.

Thanks for the pic.

08/01/2012, 05:20 PM	#1
dotcommer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 1,645	Anyone use Lace Rock in their Reef Tank? I have some nice Lace rock that I purchased a while back and want to use as a base in my new reef tank set up. I am looking to drill small holes to place frags on top of the main long piece. I like the long tunnel. I am also going to be using live rock from my existing aquarium. What are the pros and cons of using Lace rock? I wii upload a pic of the rock in a bit.

08/01/2012, 07:13 PM	#5
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I have come to find out that lace rock is not really a standard term. Several LFS I've come across call almost any heavy dense rock with multiple closely spaced holes as "lace rock" The holes can be small just enough for a lead pencil tip, or large enough for you to stick your fingers into. I bought about 55 lbs of the multiple big hole variety and just recently placed in in a currently cycling tank. I think they look good. I'll have to go and get some more. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

08/01/2012, 07:20 PM	#6
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	I've got two large peices that came out of my Fresh water tank. You cannot tell them from the rest of the rock in my tank. They have been in the tank for about 10 years now and I can't say I've had any issues related to the rock. Sorry but I'd have to look long and hard to find a good picture of them. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

08/01/2012, 05:49 PM	#2
inwha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Columbia, TN Posts: 136	i cant speak really to the pros and cons of using lace but i have some lace rock in my tank. it worked great for a buildup of cracks/crevices i was trying to achieve on one side of my tank, i only have 2 pieces both look like big V's. I have a lot of live fiji/carrib live rock in my tank as well as some very porous base rock. This is not based off experience but to me the lace rock doesnt look very good for turning live as fast as other base rock it doesnt strike me as very porous. but then again it looks cool with the way i have my tank setup. i can post a pic later when i get home

08/01/2012, 06:12 PM	#3
dotcommer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 1,645	Thanks I would love to see some pics of your tank.

08/01/2012, 06:50 PM	#4
dotcommer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 1,645	Here is a photo of the lace rock I am thinking of using as part of the base rock.

08/01/2012, 08:45 PM	#7
dotcommer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 1,645	Thanks for all the feedback. I picked these two pieces because I like the fact that there're very long and had a few large holes already in them. I was looking for large pieces that would create a large tunnel and more open space for the fish to swim. Since they are 12 inches from front to back, and about 4' long that will leave room for me to place some nice SPS on top without taking much swim space.

08/01/2012, 10:13 PM	#8
ac0go Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 77	I have used lace rock in my tanks. There are 4 or 5 pieces in my current setup. I like it just fine especially for base rock. I agree with shellback. Once it's colored up it looks great!

08/01/2012, 10:19 PM	#9
inwha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Columbia, TN Posts: 136	its hard to tell but its on the left hand side, i have either 2 or 3 pieces around it, one is like a boomarang shape bracing the arch and the other is like an arch wrapped around the big white piece plus i think a smaller one connecting those.

08/01/2012, 11:26 PM	#10
dotcommer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 1,645	Wow, you can't even tell that it's Lace Rock, especially when it turns purple. Thanks for the pic.