About Live rock....

king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
I was going to by some rock from the LFS. They sell both live and shelf dry rock that had been live at one time.
My question is how long does it take for the "Dead" rock turn into live rock? Say I bought it 50/50 live/dead. Is the process weeks or months to populate the rock with enough bacteria ect to make it live.Obviously this is simply a method to save money as the Live rock is almost $7 bucks a pound vs the dead rock I can negotiate for a 1/4 that price or less.
I intended to let my tank sit with just rock for the first few months before adding a cleaning crew to it. Ideally it will be 4-6months before I evin add my first fish. Basicly I'm planning on giving my tank enough time to convert the dead rock to live rock.
And can there be too much? I'm considering having my 55gal sump below filled entirely with live rock. As well as 60-70lbs for my display tank.
THX
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
For the sump, grab the lightest rock you can.
Lighter the rock translates into more porous and thus more bacteria.
Live rock has micro AND macro critters on it. Never underestimate how some goofy squishy spot or tiny coral can grow into a beautiful colony if given the chance proper environment.
You could put red chimney bricks in with live rock and in time they WILL become live bricks but odds are if you then remove and seed a new reef with the bricks, they will just look like wet bricks.
The bacteria will be present and they will function like live rock, but rather boring and dissapointing for diversity on the long term plan if going for the natural reef look.
Coraline will grow on them but no hidden suprises will come out.
For the sump, go cost effecitve and workhorse.
For your display pick your rock based on shape, style, and content prospects.
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Lighter the rock translates into more porous and thus more bacteria.
*Light bulb clicks over head* Makes great sense.
For the sump, go cost effecitve and workhorse.
So basically fill my sump with bricks because they have the same effect...but a fraction of the cost. Out of sight so looks don't matter in that department.
Can I stack them close, or should I stagger them a bit to allow flow in and around the bricks? Do I add store bought Rock to the sump as well...or does the rocks in the main display tank populate the rock down below.
And lastly are all red bricks the same? Or do I need to be wary of chemicals that go on certain brick types?
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Sorry if this sounds contradictory. I was more making a point about function rather than exploring choices.
No, it would be a very poor idea to literally use red brick.
The iron and heavy metals present would be disaterous. People HAVE used blocks and bricks in thier sumps but in honesty I cannot tell you its a good idea.
The financial savings really makes all of us think about it, but just forget it and be safe with proper rock.
People may chime in with how great they have done with blocks and such but I just personally wouldnt suggest actually doing it.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
actually granite is poris you just see the polished surface and it looks like it is not.if you can find a rough piece before it is processed .
but it has been proven that granite puts out radiation in small amounts.
maybe you could have glow in the dark fish?
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
I'm a little concerned that if I don't stack my rock perfectly that they might tumble over and break the glass....is there a safe way to "Fasten" them together to prevent this? Is this a common occurrence in tanks?
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Originally Posted by King_Neptune
http:///forum/post/2858038
I'm a little concerned that if I don't stack my rock perfectly that they might tumble over and break the glass....is there a safe way to "Fasten" them together to prevent this? Is this a common occurrence in tanks?

Glue, Peg and hole with acrylic rod. All sorts of ways. Yes its a reef keeper's bane. Aquascaping never ends.
Larger puzzle piece fitting seems to prevail. Choose your rock wisley as to avoid breaking it into tiny bits to get it to all fit together.
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by ReefForBrains
http:///forum/post/2858041
Glue, Peg and hole with acrylic rod. All sorts of ways. Yes its a reef keeper's bane. Aquascaping never ends.
Larger puzzle piece fitting seems to prevail. Choose your rock wisley as to avoid breaking it into tiny bits to get it to all fit together.
And on the other side buy that large expensive piece and break it with a hammer and turn it into 2 peices...
$7 a lb is horrible...look online..you can find it for around $2 a lb you just have to cure it since its drop shipped from Fiji... google P.east aquaculture
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
IMO rock is one of the most important things in the tank. It is home to your biofiltration. Look for the best dea, but do not try to cut corners using something other that accepted rock. Look for dry tufa, or dry base rock. Buy most of your desired quantity in this then get a few pcs. of live rock to seed it if you are looking to save money. This will take longer to establish though.
 
locoyo386

locoyo386

Member
Originally Posted by deejeff442
http:///forum/post/2858036
actually granite is poris you just see the polished surface and it looks like it is not.if you can find a rough piece before it is processed .
but it has been proven that granite puts out radiation in small amounts.
maybe you could have glow in the dark fish?
Why not fish with two heads,
 
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