Base rock for a large tank...

[MikeP471612]

What are people using as a base rock in large aquariums? I'm setting up this 190g and I want to use about 60-70 pounds of tufa rock and about 80-100 pounds of LR. I've read a few negative views on the tufa but most people don't seem to have any problems. I wanted to hear from some people that are opperating large tanks though.

Thanks for any help.

 

[clekchau]

i have 300 lbs of base rock from marco rocks, 200 lbs of mixed fiji tonga for my 600 gallon.

 

[nyvp]

if I had to do It all over again I would do 90% base and the rest live.

 

[johno4]

DIY rock is much cheaper than buying base rock and is easy to make, it just takes time.

 

[MikeP471612]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9174138#post9174138 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johno4
DIY rock is much cheaper than buying base rock and is easy to make, it just takes time.

Yeah I've thought about doing that too, there is a place here in town that will sell tufa rock for 44 cents a pound though so I'm leaning toward that.

 

[clekchau]

what does "tufa" rock look like?

 

[MikeP471612]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9174378#post9174378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clekchau
what does "tufa" rock look like?

Mostly like this,

http://bcrocks.com/images/2006-products/0019.JPG

 

[KenT]

Search for Marco Rock. Nicest rock I've ever seen. It is dry fiji but from the pics I've seen it looks more like Pukani.

 

[RParker]

I used some Tufa as base rock in my little 30 gallon and it seems to be an algae magnet for me.

I'm up in Edmonton so I'm not sure if your suppliers down there would have rock from the same quarry, but it may be posssible.

Regards
Robb

 

[xinumaster]

I would not use tufa rocks. From what I read this rock often contain with impurities of iron oxide (rust) which is not good for your tank.

-perry

 

[nyvp]

The best way by far is buying it from a fello reffer.

 

[MikeP471612]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9175391#post9175391 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
The best way by far is buying it from a fello reffer.

Yeah, I've always got my eye out and I have picked up some LR from people shutting down their tanks. I'm getting close to set up and I can't wait around for more people to sell their stuff off...it already feels like I've been waiting forever to get this tank going and at 44 cents a pound for tufa it will only cost like $30 bucks for what I need.

 

[asnatlas]

Capt Jer at reeferrocks.com...

This is about 525lbs of baserock...

 

[rmleal]

http://www.marcorocks.com/

 

[flfirefighter13]

I second Reeferrocks, It slocal for me but some of the ebst base rock ive gotten was from them. The marco stuff looks good but havent ordered any of it yet. Capt. Jer is a pleasure to deal with at reeferrocks and the guys at Marco got back to me asap and seemed very helpful so Im betting either way would be good.

I also agree with NYVP that 90% base would be a good number, then take the money you save and buy some prime live rock from fellow reefers. I prefer to buy stuff from several people, helps keep diversity up. Keep in mind you should check out the source for bad hitchhikers. Its impossible to get rid of all of them but would be a good start to not buy rock that was infested with aiptasia and stuff.