What should I use for Base Rock?

[bluelair]

I have a 55 gal about 1/2 full with live rock & lots of corals. I want to create more of a seascape, which will involve some base rock that won't be seen beneath the "showy" live rock I have sitting on the sand now.

I could go out and buy cured live rock for this application, but that is expensive (although LR seems to be cheaper than its ever been). Is there a dead-rock I could use that would colonize with time? My tank is otherwise very healthy, and I've no doubt the volcanic lava rock or tufa rock would colonize and encrust fairly rapidly.

What's a good rock type to use, and where locally can I get some?

 

[OwenInAZ]

I haven't heard a ton of good things about lava rock, but I've never tried it myself. In terms of if you can get your hands on once live rock (i.e. was in a tank but is now dry), it will get seeded fairly rapidly by existing microorganisms in your tank. You might see a small cycle, so you'd want to be prepared with water changes if needed.

Alternatively, lots of people have been selling off live rock at 2-3 dollars a pound, which is probably how much you'd pay for dead rock in a good economy. The thing you have to worry about there is getting any number of unwanted critters in your tank as hitchhikers.

 

[Frick]

I beleive lava rock has trace amounts of harmful metals in it like copper. Tufa is a better choise if you want poris rock. Lace and Texas holy rock is good for structure. 3" PVC is a cheap way to do it.

 

[woodwrangler]

I've got some live rock to sell, shoot me a PM if interested.