Does base rock cycle?

[Raibaru]

Starting to do more research as I gear up for a slight upgrade (36 bow to a 46bow) and I'm just curious if base rock needs to cycle or not?

Plan to build something nice in base rock and then just use my current rock in my 36g to seed it.

Just trying to see how long I need to keep both tanks set up before I can make the switch.

Also, intention is to fill the tank primarily with my existing tank water. At least half of it anyway.

 

[crvz]

If you're using it to start a tank, you'll want to stick something in the tank to seed the other rock. If you're just adding a bit of rock to the already established setup, I'd swap everything, and then add a few pieces of base rock to the new tank at a time. It's not going to have die off like other liverock would.

 

[doubleduece]

yes. Typically base rock is cheaper in that it isnt a marhsall, fuji or some other exotic rock. You would use it to build up your aquascape....

 

[BurntOutReefer]

"Typically base rock is cheaper in that it isnt a marhsall, fuji or some other exotic rock"....

base rock comes from all those locations also. its typically rock thats been "laying" around in the sun or rock that is devoid of all life.....
depending on the retailer, you can get Fiji Base, Pukani base etc.

 

[Raibaru]

Right.

I have an established 36g tank. Eventually all of the rock in this tank will be moved over to the 46g assuming I can get a look I'm happy with. The rest of the rock will be what most would consider base rock.

This base rock is basically pieces of live rock that have been sitting in a covered tub for the past year or so outside in the sun that I didn't use when first setting up. I'll also ask around on craigslist and local clubs for more to flesh it out some.

 

[Lawnmower Blenn]

will base rock come back to live rock ? if it will them why is it so much cheaper than live just becouse its live? i tried to make my own rock and it looked like cow pies when i was done i got live rock i was going to do base rock to drill it and take my time and not worrie if i would get die off but dint

 

[jbc123]

Yes it will become live again. The reason live rock costs more is because it takes up valuable real estate in tanks and vats with controlled conditions, clean water, light and other life support.

Base rock can be kept dry on the shelf, or in a box in the closet. It's just plain rock. You basically pay for the support of the bacteria and organisms that come with live rock.

 

[Stuart60611]

I just did virtually my entire tank in base rock from Bulk Reef Supply. I have had a great experience. I will never again do a tank with live rock. The Eco Rox from Bulk Reef Supply look incredible when compared with Fuji live rock. Much more interesting shapes and overall appearance. Plus, you get no unwanted pests with base rock. All I did was add just a few pounds of live rock to seed the base rock. I used a combination of Eco Rox Pukani and Fiji Shelf. The rock is extremely poruous, and as such, makes a very good biological filter once seeded. I have never had a tank run cleaner than with this rock. No algae whatsoever, and my cycle was very minimal b/c there is no die off from the rock since it is already dead. Highly recommend going this route.

 

[cdness]

I did my tank with all rock from BulkReefSupply as well. They have some really cool looking pieces and since it is dry, you get more rock for your money. No use in paying for all that water weight. I actually didn't even seed it with live rock. My parameters are all 0 and everything is running smooth.

I am dealing with the algae cycle now but it is going away. the cleaners are eating it up pretty quick.

 

[pong]

i used 50% live 50% dead or whatever you would call it... i would sometimes add new live rock... to the tank depending on the shape of what i see... and what is on it...

the last one i got has a brain coral and goniopora attached to it...

 

[jbc123]

I like live rock for the hitchhikers. Tons of tube worms and little sponges and other things that provide for the health of a tank. Couple hermit crabs and a Kenya Tree isn't bad for free either.

 

[mindytoy]

yeah id rather pay more and get the hithikers like starfish, ESPECIALY PODS, worms, sponges, feather dusters, etc. its awesome looking at the rock close up everything is moving, and you get coraline fast. instead of plain white rock that doesnt cycle a tank, might take 6+ months to become live, and you wont get as much "beautifulnees" like all the growth until maybe a year....

im telling u cuz a friend did base rock, and first off the tank looked like a freshwater tank, too simple. now my tank i did with LR only maybe 15lbs of base rock to support the LR. 2 months+ in the startup my rocks are beautiful full of coraline, pods, worms, slugs, stars, feather dusters, you name it.

you get what you pay for...

 

[mindytoy]

also...to the OP....why go from a 36 to a 46? i have a 36 its prety small, but a 46 is the same thing.....why start it up and all again instead of going atleast a 55 or more? sorry i just dont see why the struggle and all for just 10 more gallons...

like upgrading a nano cube to a 10 gallon...

 

[Sk8r]

base rock doesn't cycle in the normal sense, but will enliven with bacteria from live rock and begin to participate in processing waste as it becomes live rock. Takes a little longer. About 8 weeks for a cycle using predominately base rock. And do not push it with very many fish too fast. Go slow with a mostly-base-rock tank for its first 8 months.

 

[Raibaru]

Yea, I don't know if it's worth doing or not. That's why I'm seeing how much it will cost.

I need to break down this tank to move it to another wall in my room. In doing so I also wanted to put a sump in, but the stand of a 36g won't have room for one.

But since I have to go through all the work I'm trying to see how much extra it would cost to get a 46g done right since that's all I have room for.

It doesn't make much sense and normally I wouldn't do it. I still may not. If I can get it all done for under $1,000 (light and skimmer all I need for under $500 total plus 200 for tank and stand so far) I may do it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13276649#post13276649 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mindytoy
also...to the OP....why go from a 36 to a 46? i have a 36 its prety small, but a 46 is the same thing.....why start it up and all again instead of going atleast a 55 or more? sorry i just dont see why the struggle and all for just 10 more gallons...

like upgrading a nano cube to a 10 gallon...

 

[mindytoy]

well if theres a space issue then i understand....

but i wouldnt pay $1,000 for a 10 gallon difference

 

[Raibaru]

Tank has to go in a corner, and the corner has a 15" space before it hits the closet. I had originally planned a 70g in here, but after seeing that I'd lose 5-7" of close entrance I decided against it.

 

[smspring]

IMO, you can get the best of both worlds by splitting the live and dry rock. I actually did 80% dry, 20% live. Been about 6 months since I setup and the dry is becoming live (coraline, pods, worms, etc...). And, the live rock (which I ordered from bulkreefsupply) was much cheaper.

 

[kevin2000]

Base rock isn't going to generate a cycle as commonly used on this forum. No big deal - you either have to add something that will decompose into ammonia (food source for bacteria - can be a bit of pure unscented ammonia, fish food, raw shrimp etc) or add a small amt of live rock.

Base rock is a cost effective method of establishing a reef tank and helps avoid many of the nuisance hitchhiker and algae issue commonly discussed on this forum. I highly recommend.