How does lr become "live"

[redwilly]

Will my porous (sp?), rock become live rock?? I have a 50G with 25lbs of ls and one lr about 4lbs. I am using coral vital and esv calcium buffer to try and start getting my corraline algea, I just cant see paying so much for rock! Around here its $9.99 a pound for the decent looking stuff! So how does it become live? My tank is fully cycled, I have 7 assorted damsels that will be "moving out" soon. My lighting is 2 36watt tubes, one is 20,000k and the other is actinic, when i get more dough, I'll get power compacts. I have a tiny bit of corraline algea i think now on one piece of rock. Its pink, right? I try talking to people at my lfs but most the time i get contradicting facts.

 

[calvindo]

gơod lord!!!! $9.99 a pound? are you you're weighing live rocks and not watermelons?
buy them from this site! you'll save tons of $$$

 

[redwilly]

yeah...there is cheaper stuff but it looks like crap!! Lots of white patches small pieces really low quality stuff.

 

[thomas712]

Originally posted by redwilly
Will my porous (sp?), rock become live rock??
All a matter of how you look at the terminology.
Live as a matter of live with bacteria? If your tank is cycled then your rock is live.
Live as in bacteria and productive with pods? As long as you have added some live rock or live sand that contained the pods then they may very well be busy at populating your tank now.
Live as in bacteria, pods, and coralline? Takes time, good stable water chemistry, and good lighting. From base rock to this state perhaps up to 18 months of time.
Depends on how you look at it.
Thomas

 

[calvindo]

you should try swf. i heard lots of gơod comments about the quality. i have never ordered anything, but probably sơon.

 

[bluemandj]

I agree with Thomas712. I put in base rock to save money. Boy do regret it! Now 8 months later and 4 Algae blooms later I am getting coraline algae growth. $10 perpound is excessive! I would search around for a better deal. Send me a PM and I'll help you find a nice deal on rock.
email is bluemoondj@adelphia.net