newyorkerx
New member
How long doest it take for synthetic (Marco) rocks to look like "real" live rock?
Synthetic rock question
- Thread starter newyorkerx
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SushiGirl
Premium Member
Marco rocks are real rock that is mined, not synthetic. Live rock is rock that has nitrifying bacteria inhabiting it, so "looking like live rock" doesn't mean anything, really. If you mean with coralline on it, or other growth, it all depends on your tank and what you add to grow on it.
newyorkerx
New member
Thanks. Perhaps I should have phrased my question better.
What I want know is, if I use a mixture of "traditional" live rock (covered in a mixture of live and dead plants and animals) and some form of other "dry" rock (like Marco Rock), how long will it take for the other rock to develop that same coating in order to look more natural. I am trying to avoid having a reef that looks like two clearly different types of rock.
What I want know is, if I use a mixture of "traditional" live rock (covered in a mixture of live and dead plants and animals) and some form of other "dry" rock (like Marco Rock), how long will it take for the other rock to develop that same coating in order to look more natural. I am trying to avoid having a reef that looks like two clearly different types of rock.
newyorkerx
New member
Thanks. Perhaps I should have phrased my question better.
What I want know is, if I use a mixture of "traditional" live rock (covered in a mixture of live and dead plants and animals) and some form of other "dry" rock (like Marco Rock), how long will it take for the other rock to develop that same coating in order to look more natural. I am trying to avoid having a reef that looks like two clearly different types of rock.
What I want know is, if I use a mixture of "traditional" live rock (covered in a mixture of live and dead plants and animals) and some form of other "dry" rock (like Marco Rock), how long will it take for the other rock to develop that same coating in order to look more natural. I am trying to avoid having a reef that looks like two clearly different types of rock.
SushiGirl
Premium Member
You're really not going to be able to avoid it for several months. You're going to go through diatoms, cyano, & probably hair algae first. If your calcium is good, coralline will start spreading what seems fast at first & then it'll slow down (or at least seem like it) so you'll have spots on the white rock for months. Our 55 is just over 2 years old & the dry eock is not completely covered but it looks a lot more natural now. There's not a set timeline with anything in this hobby, so even a guess wouldn't help. Sorry.
newyorkerx
New member
Thanks. That was exactly what I was looking for.
