base rock vs. live rock
- Thread starter jmdlax20
- Start date
cain420
Active Member
you can sometimes find base rock (alot less pourous then live rock) for a cheaper price. The base rock can be used as the base of your rockscaping, but yes, u can use only live rock.. thats what i did, was use all live rock. Some people use base rock for their foundations, but the more pourous rock is better to use, as it can be home to lots n lots of critters, as opposed to base. Base rock will grow algaes on it, therefore becoming "live rock" but since it is less pourous, it houses less critters.
hope this helps you.
hope this helps you.
cain420
Active Member
if u get fully cured live rock, it will not need to be re-cured, unless it has been shipped or has been out of the water for a certain amount of time. If it is not cured, you will need to recure it using a tub of saltwater, 2 powerheads, and a test kit so u can monitor the ammonia.. basically, it needs to cycle - sort of. Uncured live rock will spike ammonia readings. If you chose to cure it yourself, just be sure to monitor the ammonia until it disappears, then do 100% waterchange in the curing tub (rubbermaid tote will work fine) and then watch for ammonia again...
oh yea.. b4 u cure it, give it a good wash and scrub it with a plastic bristled brush (nothing metal in these tanks at all <----very important).
oh yea.. b4 u cure it, give it a good wash and scrub it with a plastic bristled brush (nothing metal in these tanks at all <----very important).
ktsdad
Member
Base rock is not a "type" of rock. Live rock isn't a "type" of rock.
For example - Fiji, Lalo, Tonga, Melanesian are all type of rocks. Basically they are labeled by where in the world the come from. Different locations, different minerals that make up the rock which forces different shapes, densities which cause diferent about of pourousness (is that a word?).
Base rock is live rock that just isn't as pretty, and doesn't have as much "good" bacteria and good algea growing on it. Base rock is cheaper for these reasons. Eventually it will become live rock will all the good stuff.
Imagine a pile of rocks in the ocean. The stuff on top that gets the most light, therefore the most good stuff growing already, is sold as "premium" live rock. The stuff on the next level is sold as just "live" rock. The stuff on the bottom is sold as "base" rock.
Sorry to be so winded, just couldn't think of a better way to explain it.
You can fill your tank with all live rock, mix of base and live or all base rock.
Most use a mix. The more live you start with the faster the base will transform into live.
You don't have to "acclimate" it, but you typically do need to cure it. Do a search on this site about curing rock, you will get many results and answers.
Good Luck
For example - Fiji, Lalo, Tonga, Melanesian are all type of rocks. Basically they are labeled by where in the world the come from. Different locations, different minerals that make up the rock which forces different shapes, densities which cause diferent about of pourousness (is that a word?).
Base rock is live rock that just isn't as pretty, and doesn't have as much "good" bacteria and good algea growing on it. Base rock is cheaper for these reasons. Eventually it will become live rock will all the good stuff.
Imagine a pile of rocks in the ocean. The stuff on top that gets the most light, therefore the most good stuff growing already, is sold as "premium" live rock. The stuff on the next level is sold as just "live" rock. The stuff on the bottom is sold as "base" rock.
Sorry to be so winded, just couldn't think of a better way to explain it.
You can fill your tank with all live rock, mix of base and live or all base rock.
Most use a mix. The more live you start with the faster the base will transform into live.
You don't have to "acclimate" it, but you typically do need to cure it. Do a search on this site about curing rock, you will get many results and answers.
Good Luck
ktsdad
Member
Originally Posted by cain420
if u get fully cured live rock, it will not need to be re-cured, unless it has been shipped or has been out of the water for a certain amount of time. If it is not cured, you will need to recure it using a tub of saltwater, 2 powerheads, and a test kit so u can monitor the ammonia.. basically, it needs to cycle - sort of. Uncured live rock will spike ammonia readings. If you chose to cure it yourself, just be sure to monitor the ammonia until it disappears, then do 100% waterchange in the curing tub (rubbermaid tote will work fine) and then watch for ammonia again...
oh yea.. b4 u cure it, give it a good wash and scrub it with a plastic bristled brush (nothing metal in these tanks at all <----very important).
THE CURE IS NOT OVER WHEN THE AMMONIA DISAPPEARS!
As the ammonia starts to drop, the NITRITES will start to rise.
As the nitrites start to drop, the NITRATES will start to rise.
Once the ammonia and nitrItes are ZERO, your cure is done. You remove the nitrAtes thru water changes.
if u get fully cured live rock, it will not need to be re-cured, unless it has been shipped or has been out of the water for a certain amount of time. If it is not cured, you will need to recure it using a tub of saltwater, 2 powerheads, and a test kit so u can monitor the ammonia.. basically, it needs to cycle - sort of. Uncured live rock will spike ammonia readings. If you chose to cure it yourself, just be sure to monitor the ammonia until it disappears, then do 100% waterchange in the curing tub (rubbermaid tote will work fine) and then watch for ammonia again...
oh yea.. b4 u cure it, give it a good wash and scrub it with a plastic bristled brush (nothing metal in these tanks at all <----very important).
THE CURE IS NOT OVER WHEN THE AMMONIA DISAPPEARS!
As the ammonia starts to drop, the NITRITES will start to rise.
As the nitrites start to drop, the NITRATES will start to rise.
Once the ammonia and nitrItes are ZERO, your cure is done. You remove the nitrAtes thru water changes.
jerthunter
Active Member
I am a strong supporter of using base rock for several reasons.
It is cheaper for the hobbiest
It is less harmful to the worlds reefs...
Given the opportunity it will become live rock in your aquarium
You can get base rock that is extremely dense but you can also get great base rock that is full of holes and in unique shapes. The same goes for live rock. I've seen live rock that looks like it was just a huge chunk of rock with no holes and of course I've seen awesome shaped live rock. Do a search on the internet on various sites (including auction sites) and you can find a ton of different options for rock for your tank...
It is cheaper for the hobbiest
It is less harmful to the worlds reefs...
Given the opportunity it will become live rock in your aquarium
You can get base rock that is extremely dense but you can also get great base rock that is full of holes and in unique shapes. The same goes for live rock. I've seen live rock that looks like it was just a huge chunk of rock with no holes and of course I've seen awesome shaped live rock. Do a search on the internet on various sites (including auction sites) and you can find a ton of different options for rock for your tank...
ktsdad
Member
Originally Posted by Jerthunter
I am a strong supporter of using base rock for several reasons.
It is cheaper for the hobbiest
It is less harmful to the worlds reefs...
Given the opportunity it will become live rock in your aquarium
You can get base rock that is extremely dense but you can also get great base rock that is full of holes and in unique shapes. The same goes for live rock. I've seen live rock that looks like it was just a huge chunk of rock with no holes and of course I've seen awesome shaped live rock. Do a search on the internet on various sites (including auction sites) and you can find a ton of different options for rock for your tank...
Agree 100%
I am a strong supporter of using base rock for several reasons.
It is cheaper for the hobbiest
It is less harmful to the worlds reefs...
Given the opportunity it will become live rock in your aquarium
You can get base rock that is extremely dense but you can also get great base rock that is full of holes and in unique shapes. The same goes for live rock. I've seen live rock that looks like it was just a huge chunk of rock with no holes and of course I've seen awesome shaped live rock. Do a search on the internet on various sites (including auction sites) and you can find a ton of different options for rock for your tank...
Agree 100%
jmdlax20
Member
If u hav read my other threads u will know that im just starting this reef n i hav very little in it...live sand, live rock, heater, pump...n i just put my live rock in n having it "cure' in the tank i guess n im measuring the PH n salinity n temperture. am i ok or should i be doin or watching ne thing else???
jerthunter
Active Member
Check Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. Later you might want to measure phosphates, calcium, and Alk