Lace Rock

[goobe]

Hey guys,
So im about to head to the LFS tommorow to pic up some base rock for my tank since i upgraded to a 36 gal
now i was looking up some base rock and i was thinking lace rock?
has anyone ever used this type of rock
im kinda in a hurry since i want to got ot the LFS tommorow lol
thanks guys!

 

[signman]

yes i have 3 tanks with it as base rock over 400lbs.

 

[kraylen]

Not base rock, LACE rock. Two totally different things.
Lace rock CAN be used. You need to vinegar wash it for a few days and then FW cure it for about 6 months... then culture it for a month or so in SW.
The reason you need to take all these steps is, Lace rock is volcanic and releases PH... If takes a long time and a lot of effort to cure it out for reef tank use. The cheap price is alluring, but the work and time it takes to make it "reef ready" is just not worth it. Electric/water changes etc etc... It's better to get Marco or other base rock.

 

[shelley293]

hmmmm, I am not an expert, but have had a 55 gal reef up and running for years with great success. I used lace rock, straight from the LFS, rinsed it off and put it in the tank... No curing process.
The tank did great with no PH problems. I also worked at the LFS for a couple years and we sold lace rock to people all the time for their reef tanks. Never had anyone say it didn't work well.
Can't wait to see what other people post, but I don't see a problem with it going straight in the tank...
Good luck!

 

[kraylen]

Originally Posted by shelley293
http:///forum/post/3228365
hmmmm, I am not an expert, but have had a 55 gal reef up and running for years with great success. I used lace rock, straight from the LFS, rinsed it off and put it in the tank... No curing process.
The tank did great with no PH problems. I also worked at the LFS for a couple years and we sold lace rock to people all the time for their reef tanks. Never had anyone say it didn't work well.
Can't wait to see what other people post, but I don't see a problem with it going straight in the tank...
Good luck!
Well, I'm going to go by the tests I've ran and the numbers I've gotten. Lace rock will spike your PH off the charts.... any

[hr]
reefer knows this.
Also, working for a LFS doesn't mean much... LFS are here to make money by any means... most of them would sell cookies as live rock if they would convince a newbie that it would be good for the reef tank.
I did an experiment once, where I went into a reef ready LFS acting like I didn't know anything and had a bunch of money. I go in with the intention of starting one of these new "nano reefs."
This guy was trying to convince/sell me B-ionic 2 part plus mag, Iodine for daily dosing, Stron and all this stuff saying to dos DURING my cycle and all this crap that would have resulted in chaos. So no, I don't take what the LFS says seriously... I test things myself.
Lace Rock is NO GOOD unless cured for a long period of time.

 

[jimmyr1rider]

I havent used Lace Rock so I cant comment on that, but if your tanks going to be a reef I can comment on what I do use and thats Fiji Rock. I always recommend it to anyone who asks for my opinion- Is very light for its size due to it being "airy" is not dense and has LOTS of crevices for the beneficial bacteria to live in. I myself wouldnt be too comfortable having a tank not cycle. Its the main way you can tell that you have substantial enough biological filtration to handle a bioload, unless your going fish only without live sand or live rock and going to rely on mechanical filtration alone. Good luck with your tank and hope the choice you make works out well for you.
One more thing - I also strongly disbelieve that there was no curing process for rock in a reef tank. Or that like stated above that uncured rock in a tank wont throw your ph levels off big time. Not to mention that during a cycle of a new tank( all tanks go through it) you not only worry about ph but just as important- your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels as well. Some may have gotten lucky, or unreliable test kits. I would say go with what most do for their reefs if thats what your going to have- get good, cured live rock- whether it be Fiji, Tonga whatever kind you like, just make sure its cured when you buy it unless you dont mind curing it in your tank which will lengthen your cycle(again all tanks cycle) by months as previously stated by Kraylen. Good luck...........Jimmy