base rock

teen

teen

Active Member
what exactly is base rock, and where can i get it from? do lfs usually sell it? can i order it? is it the plain gray rock u usually see in freshh water aquariums? :confused:
thx
 
evilbob22

evilbob22

Member
The grey rock in fresh water aquariums is usually slate, you don't want that in salt water. The base rock you want should basically look like live rock and/or coral. It should have as many holes and nooks and crannies as possible. White or light tan, avoid greys, reds, and darker browns (they have iron in them). Some LFS's sell base rock, but they get more money from the live rock so not all do. By the way, once base rock has been in an aquarium with live rock for a few months, it will become live rock.
Here is a picture from an online site that sells base rock from Florida.
 
teen

teen

Active Member
thanks a lot, that really helps :) . how many lbs do u think i would need for a 45 gallon tank, or should i just get a few pieces? also, what is a reasonable price for pieces of this rock, i dont want to pay a ridiculous price for this stuff:D
 
rlmabry

rlmabry

Member
Base rock is cheaper then live rock. However, I would spend the money and just buy live rock. Base rock will not benifit your tank like the lr will. The basic rule is a pund to a pound and a half of lr per gallon. IMO base rock is a waste of money. When I first started I purchased base rock. I have now taken it all out of my tank and through it alway.
 
rlmabry

rlmabry

Member
Sounds like my wife. I am the kind of person that i will spend a little more to save time. I really believe time is money. She thinks you sound go grocery shopping at ten different stores to get the best deals. Always remember whatever works for you is the habit you should stick with. MO is just that MO
 
lizzy

lizzy

Member
can you use lava rock as base rock? thats what my lfs sells...i wasnt to sure on how safe it was though.
 
rnk9394

rnk9394

Member
Teen buy base rock instead of buying just live rock. Use the Live rock that you buy just to seed the base rock. And like TeresaQ said in a few months it will all be Live Rock and in the process saved hundreds of dollars.
Lava rock shouldn't be used according to people on this site
Rick
 
evilbob22

evilbob22

Member
The problem with lava rock is that some is ok and some isn't. Since I can't tell the difference by sight, I don't get any lava rock. (Although there is a LFS near me that I trust... I'd consider lava rock from them if they assured me it was salt water safe.)
 
evilbob22

evilbob22

Member

Originally posted by rlmabry
Base rock is cheaper then live rock. However, I would spend the money and just buy live rock. Base rock will not benifit your tank like the lr will. The basic rule is a pund to a pound and a half of lr per gallon. IMO base rock is a waste of money. When I first started I purchased base rock. I have now taken it all out of my tank and through it alway.
The key to base rock is letting it seed. Yes, base rock without any live rock is a bad idea, but when you are an 11th grader, like teen, money is an issue. 30 lbs live rock and 30 lbs base rock is better than 30 or 40 lbs live rock alone. You have to be slower adding livestock than if you had 60lbs live rock, but after a few months to a year your base rock will be live (giving you your 60 lbs live rock).
Teen, get your 45 - 70 lbs of rock with as much of it lr as possible. Don't worry if you end up with 10 lbs lr and 50 lbs base... just be real slow adding things if you do.
 
jay knows

jay knows

Member
I think I ordered from the source mentioned above, and I just got it today. It looks incredible for base, it is very porus and very unique.... it is just white..
I initially wanted to go all LR, but after I bought 30 lbs, at $7 a lb for tongo and fiji and 20 lbs at $13 per lb for marshall island, I decided to add 50 lbs of base to seed in and fill my 75 gallon tank.
From a budget perspective, it can cut down on costs if you have the time, and dont have the money to go all LR. From a time perspective, it may take a while to get it covered with coraline and other stuff.
I agree if you add base, just seed it with base, and be sure to add LR as that will help the tank.
 
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