Foundation rock question

emanvillarreal

emanvillarreal

New Member
how long does it take for "foundation rock" to turn into live rock when it's surrounded by it? Moving tank soon so I was thinking about putting some under the live rock.
is it worth it? or should i just not be cheap and just buy more live rock. btw i have 23 pounds of live rock in a 29 gallon tank.
 
anthony17

anthony17

Member
im not for sure how long it fully takes to become lr but, yes it will become lr over time, as long as it is the same kind of rock as lr(rock with alot of openings for hitchhikers from your actualy lr can get in to the base rock and overtime bacteria and coraline with take it on. hope this helps hopefully some one that knows more than me will answer lol
 
V

vinnyraptor

Guest
Originally Posted by emanvillarreal
http:///forum/post/2927898
how long does it take for "foundation rock" to turn into live rock when it's surrounded by it? Moving tank soon so I was thinking about putting some under the live rock.
is it worth it? or should i just not be cheap and just buy more live rock. btw i have 23 pounds of live rock in a 29 gallon tank.
depends on lighting, flow, and how much LR you currently have. i'd say 4 to 6 months is a good time frame.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
I would do it,and i have. I used mostly Tufa Rock some Texas Holey and Lace along with some Fiji Live. Its a good way to do you part for conservation.
BTW you cant tell the difference once it is covered in coraline and it works just as well.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Welcome to the boards. Let me just add that in this hobby you will come to find that hard time lines are very rare there are just to many variables involved that it is not a good idea to lock your self into any situation where you get anxious because you have past a preconceived time line
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Chances are you will not have a problem at all adding some Tufa or Lace to the tank, I have done this myself. It will colonize over time but should not affect the tank at all.
Good morning Joe!!!
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2928073
Chances are you will not have a problem at all adding some Tufa or Lace to the tank, I have done this myself. It will colonize over time but should not affect the tank at all.
Good morning Joe!!!
Morning its morning oh my god where did I park the car
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
one other thing not mentioned is if you put live rock under the sand, it can choke and die off, so you are definitely better off putting base rock (or foundation as you're calling it) at the bottom of the stack.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Was wondering when Randy would get in here.
Besides, I don't think it is hijacked becasue Joe's wife is gonna "rock his foundation" when he has to explain.............."JOE you got some splainin to do!!!!!"
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2928386
Was wondering when Randy would get in here.
Besides, I don't think it is hijacked becasue Joe's wife is gonna "rock his foundation" when he has to explain.............."JOE you got some splainin to do!!!!!"
Joe has a wife?! Oh boy is going to get hot in Florida tonight!
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
And now back to our regularly scheduled program.....................
emanvillarreal, has your question been answered????
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
some types of inert rock can take up to two years to become live.
be sure you look up and consider this when choosing your rock, sometimes to "save a few bucks" can backfire.
Personally, I would just buy live rock and do as much at a time as your budget allows. there is nothing that says you cant add a couple pounds at a time.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Base rock can become very populated and algae filled base rock, but in my opinion, it will never "become live" It can filter out waste and become pretty, but it will never truely be live.
With that said, you can save a few dollars by buying half live rock and half base rock. Any more base rock and you start to have hair algae problems. (just from experience)
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
I have never heard that about base rock and algae. I guess it depends on the type of base rock you purchase. If it was once live and was just left to dry out I guess there could be nutrient left in the rock to fuel an algae problem. However when I thinkof base rock I think of Tufa, Lace, and things like that. Rock that has never seent he ocean or live before. This rock can easily becom live with bacteria. And with the additon of some live rock with other fauna can become inhabited by worms and such. I think live rock and think populated with the bacteria that becomes our bio filter.
 
emanvillarreal

emanvillarreal

New Member
Thanks for all the info. Here's a pic of my tank. Finally got around to it.
Basically I was thinking of just getting something bigger to put on bottom and build around it with what I already have.
I'm about to order two koralia's and put on each side.
 
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