turning base rock into live rock

[brgr]

55 gal. tank

How much base rock to live rock ratio should be put in the tank. 50/50, 60/40, ect which is best.

How long will it take for the base rock to become live rock?

The base rock I am looking at is only 2.99 lb. which is way cheaper than live rock.

They call it dead sea rock or something to that effect, but it looks whitish with seashell imprints all over it. It seems pretty porous with many holes.

If is was to put this in the tank how long should I let this sit without any occupants, and should any water changes be done during this time of no fish or inverts.

 

[Waxxiemann]

Why don't you try reef bones?

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/skus/rs/RSCS-00360.asp?E+scstore

They sound like exactly what you are looking for. You don't really want to add any rock or substrate if you are unsure of its origens. It may have some leached in neutruents that would be undesirable in the long term.

If it were me I would cure it just as with any other rock. Better safe than sorry IMO.

Try and add as much live rock as possible but there is no set rule. You'll just wait longer for your base rock to become live depending on the ratio.

Hope this helps. :rollface:

 

[brgr]

Well now that I have clicked on the link that is exactly what they are selling for 2.99 lb.

 

[jdm01]

I used 50/50 in my tank. It does not take long for the rock to begin to turn to live. My tank cleared the initial cycle in a couple of weeks. It certainly is much more economical.

 

[goda]

why not liveaqiuaria figibase rock. its like 50 bucks for 40 pounds or osmthing like that

 

[oct2274]

if you are going to get base rock i would get it from reeferrock.com. they will let you see the rock before you get it even.

 

[grendl]

liveaquaria is $60 for 35lbs + shipping.

If your going to get base rock, I also say reeferrocks.com. I am about to make another order from them. They are a dream to deal with.

 

[dmo]

I dont think liveaquaria sells base rock.. There is what they call "foundation rock" which is already "live" and cured and they claim it is "teeming with beneficial bacteria and micro-fauna", it just doesn't have coraline on it. It comes to about $3/lb shipped 2-day air which seems ok.

 

[CarmieJo]

I bought some LR and then added a bunch of dead coral heads that I had from when I kept FO. Weight-wise I had about 50/50 (LR/coral heads) but volumn-wise since the coral is porus it is more like 30/70. I saw saw worms & pods on them within a couple of weeks and coralline was developing in about 6 weeks.

 

[reefnetworth]

live rock ratio is 1.5 lbs per gallon. www.premiumaquatics.com will sell you 1-500 lbs. what ever you need i would not put 60 lbs base in 55. IMO & IME i would go with about 25 lbs Fiji. you will need good coralline rock to seed. buy the uncured rock and spend a few more $$$ it will pay off. the cycle is what you need to get the bacteria field desired. with base there is little if any bacteria since most of it is dead when recieved. some has set in the sun for various reasons and will only grow coralline after being seeded wiyh rock that contains it. the ratio equals 85 lbs of rock, get the 40+ and tell Rob or Jeremy what you want to do with your tank and they will send the appropriate rock in seperate or one shipment. REEF-ON!!