Where do you guys get your base rock?

[GiantBen]

I'm thinking I'll seed some base rock for my next tank instead of buying love rock. The reason is two fold: (1) Avoid Pests, (2) Save money.

I was thinking about this:
http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?p...ategory_id=15&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34


50 lbs box, free shipping, sounds decent.
Most of the LR in my display now is headed to the sump in my new setup.

It says there are no organics, so I'm wondering if I can setup the new tank without having to cycle the base rock. I'll put all my current rock (except a few pieces) in the sump of the new setup, and the base rock in the display. There will be new sand that will have some die-off I'm sure. I was planning to cycle the rock in a tub in my garage, but if I could avoid it, that would be awesome. The bioload will be the same as it is now, minus my one fish, so it seems like the rock in the sump should be enough to support the tank while the base rock develops bacterial colonies.

 

[Reef Bass]

Love rock! Mmm, want to get me some of that.

Sorry Ben, couldn't resist.

I have purchased "base rock" from our various LFSs which fairly rapidly became encrusted with coraline, etc. The form / shape / density of the rock can be different from typical live rock but in the long run encrusted former base rock works fine.

Bottomline, it sounds like you'll be cycling your new tank at the same time you are cycling your new rock (new rock in new tank with old rock in sump), so I don't think you'll have a separate issue there. When the nitrites and ammonia come down towards the end of the cycle you should be good to go, or rather, to stock.

 

[GiantBen]

Haha. I think love rock is that Brett Michaels show.

I didn't realize the local LFSs sold base rock. I've bought live rock from them before, which had lots of life on it, but it was reasonably pricey and in retrospect there was a lot of life in the rocks I would rather have passed on. I'll call around and check on prices for base rock.

The thing that interested me most about the rock I linked is that they soak, clean, etc, so that it is *supposed* to be able to be added to an existing tank. That made me think I might be able to setup the new tank, as I described above, and have almost no cycle.

 

[Reef Bass]

I added a small quantity (like 2 or 3) pieces of base rock to my established tank without issue. IMHO, I think you will see a cycle in your new tank, it just may be shorter and less severe with your existing rock helping out in the sump.

Check the local reefing resources sticky thread. I believe there is mention of rock sources in there.

 

[coralfarmer]

Ben, Ken is right it's going to cycle. Especially if you have a few fish

 

[GiantBen]

No fish. My clown jump last week, and the psuedochromis won't be making the transition.

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll stick to my original plan and get my new substrate and base rock cycling in a tub in my garage. I have some power heads and a heater I can toss in there. Do i need to use a reef-quality light source, or is a table lamp okay. Or is a light source really even necessary?

Thanks guys.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Most people will say you don't need light right now, but I think if you add a light, the rock will go through the diatom cycle and after that is done, you will be further along when you add them to your tank.

 

[coralfarmer]

If there is no biological in your bucket with the base rock. How would it cycle? If the rock is dry then there is no life on it. My opinion is that you just bite the bullet and by some quality live rock and use that. Or maybe a combination of the two. Just my two cents.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Throw in some sand and some water from the current tank to get things started. Maybe even a live rock or two from the old tank will help kick start cycling the base rocks.

Personally, I would turn the base rocks into nice structures first and then cycle it in the big garbage can, this way when the new tank is ready, the rocks can be placed in the tank without any modification.

 

[GiantBen]

If there is no biological in your bucket with the base rock. How would it cycle? If the rock is dry then there is no life on it. My opinion is that you just bite the bullet and by some quality live rock and use that. Or maybe a combination of the two. Just my two cents.

I really don't want to deal with hitchhiking pests in the new tank, which was a large problem for me in my current tank. The calupera was easy to get rid of, but the mithrax crabs were not. Twice I had to remove large amounts of rock/coral to trap them. I suppose I could do a serious inspection of any live rock, but I'm not confident that everything can be found. The cost is a factor too, for sure, but not the only one.

Throw in some sand and some water from the current tank to get things started. Maybe even a live rock or two from the old tank will help kick start cycling the base rocks.

Personally, I would turn the base rocks into nice structures first and then cycle it in the big garbage can, this way when the new tank is ready, the rocks can be placed in the tank without any modification.

Yes, I am planning to put some sand or a rock from my current tank in the bucket to seed the new base rock. I'm also planning to put the new live sand I buy in the bucket, which should have some organics in it already.

Tom, scaping in the cycle container is a good idea, and one I am planning to do.

The more I think about this, the more I am convinced the cycle is going to be relatively mild. All the bio filtration from my old tank will be in the new tank, just in the sump instead of the display. There will be no increase in bioload. The only dieoff should be from the new live sand. I agree there will be a period of time that the base rock would need to develop bacterial colonies, but I don't see how that would cause ammonia/nitrite spikes.

This is all based in the foundation that the base rock really is free of organics, as they state. It may not be wise on my part to take them at their word on this. It also assumes that there is no die off in the current live rock when moving it from the current display tank, into the sump.

Enjoying the discussion, thanks to everyone for contributing.

 

[GiantBen]

I suppsoe this is largely a moot point, since I am going to need to water test the setup in my garage before putting it in my house, there really isn't any reason to not have the new rock/sand cycle while that is happening.

Interesting discussion either way.

 

[Steve Ruddy]

I have to trash cans full of dry live rock. Let me know if your interested. You can pick out what you like.

 

[GiantBen]

Sweet. PM me some pricing info. I'm going to be out of town the rest of the week, so if I don't reply right away, don't take it personally

 

[Grant W]

I don't know about you guys but I sneak into Ken's back yard and check his back deck, He's always had a nice supply laying around and if you time it right they will still have corals growing on them. :lol:

 

[Reef Bass]

:lol: Yeah, I've been making some changing in the tank(s).

Grant, I think either you or Leeloo has been playing soccer with some of my rocks outside, especially the ones with plate or stick like calcium carbonate deposits. There are many small pieces where there were fewer large ones. For the record, there's no point in fragging the dry colonies.