Rock Question

[ramsey]

Is there any other type of rock out there you could use other then making it yourself, base, and live rock. I dont have the money for BR and LR and was looking for something that would be easy on my wallet.
Thanks

 

[flower]

look on line, Craigs list and such, for folks getting out of the hobby. When I first started out a fellow was giving away his rock.

 

[ramsey]

Let me modify my question a bit. Could i use rocks that you find at a Garden Center. I had friend that owned a LFS he used it his 90show tank its been going for 5 years but he moved and never asked him what rock he used

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Ramsey
http:///forum/post/3274444
Let me modify my question a bit. Could i use rocks that you find at a Garden Center. I had friend that owned a LFS he used it his 90show tank its been going for 5 years but he moved and never asked him what rock he used

It depends on what materiel is in the rock, slate for example has trace metals in it. If you can be sure no metals are present..It could be used I think...I say I THINK because I’m no expert, and I have never done it, it just sounds feasible.

 

[ramsey]

Well after posting this I went looking for my phone book a happend to find his number and he told me it was lava rock

 

[robertmathern]

No lava rock is no good but I have herd of alot of people using. What you need are calcium based rocks to buffer your tank. If I remember correctly with lava rock you will have a hard time keeping PH up.

 

[robertmathern]

Oh and in case you want to know how to tell if a rock is calcium based. There is a test you can do. Get a bottle of white distilled vinegar for the store. Pour some in a bowl. Break off a little piece of the rock and crush it to powder. Sprinkle the powder in the jar of vinegar and if it is calcium based it will fizz like soda.

 

[ramsey]

Well this tank is going to be a FOWLR would I be able to get by with it

 

[btldreef]

Lava rock and rock you're going to find at a garden center should NOT be put in a salt water tank, regardless of whether it's a reef or not. There is a reason why the LFS sells diffent types of rock than Home Depot.
As others have stated, you need rocks that are calcium based and have no trace metals. Lava rock is terrible for tanksand makes maintaining your system much more difficult. If you're new to the hobby, steer clear of lava rock, as even advanced hobbyists have issues with it.
If this is going to be a FOWLR, you can do live sand and ornamental rock/coral if you have good filtration. Many FOWLR's are done this way.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3274679
Lava rock and rock you're going to find at a garden center should NOT be put in a salt water tank, regardless of whether it's a reef or not. There is a reason why the LFS sells diffent types of rock than Home Depot.
As others have stated, you need rocks that are calcium based and have no trace metals. Lava rock is terrible for tanksand makes maintaining your system much more difficult. If you're new to the hobby, steer clear of lava rock, as even advanced hobbyists have issues with it.
If this is going to be a FOWLR, you can do live sand and ornamental rock/coral if you have good filtration. Many FOWLR's are done this way.

Calcium based rock to keep PH stable makes allot of sense, PH is important for coral reefs and for fish only systems….but I have to chime in here and ask a question…
Fake coral doesn’t have a calcium base, so as long as there are no trace metals, why can’t OP use rock from home depot or the lava rock?

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3274685

Calcium based rock to keep PH stable makes allot of sense, PH is important for coral reefs and for fish only systems….but I have to chime in here and ask a question…
Fake coral doesn’t have a calcium base, so as long as there are no trace metals, why can’t OP use rock from home depot or the lava rock?
Almost all rock that you're going to find outside of a fish store is going to have trace metals in it. Calcium based rock does not stand up to different weather conditions and therefore isn't really ideal for gardening, etc (My husband used to design ponds so I actually know quite a bit about rocks sold at garden centers). Lava rock almost always has trace metals in it and really messes with pH levels, it's not ideal for tanks, espcecially saltwater systems. It will fair a little better in fresh, but it's still not great and IMO and IME, lava rock really isn't meant for an aquarium of any sort.
Fake coral/decorations/rock is not going to help with pH BUT, it won't hurt it either, that's why I was suggesting that route as opposed to using the wrong rocks.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3274728
Almost all rock that you're going to find outside of a fish store is going to have trace metals in it. Calcium based rock does not stand up to different weather conditions and therefore isn't really ideal for gardening, etc (My husband used to design ponds so I actually know quite a bit about rocks sold at garden centers). Lava rock almost always has trace metals in it and really messes with pH levels, it's not ideal for tanks, espcecially saltwater systems. It will fair a little better in fresh, but it's still not great and IMO and IME, lava rock really isn't meant for an aquarium of any sort.
Fake coral/decorations/rock is not going to help with pH BUT, it won't hurt it either, that's why I was suggesting that route as opposed to using the wrong rocks.

Thanks, now I understand. I had no idea it has trace metals in it. To be honest fake coral costs allot more than live rock pound for pound. I have a large piece of fake coral I use to brace up my cave. I paid $60.00 for it years ago. I priced an equal sized piece about 2 years ago for $100.00. Even little pieces of fake coral run $20.00 to $30.00
Somebody someplace wants to break down their tank, and OP can get some live or base rock real cheap, time to go hunting for a bargain.

 

[ramsey]

Well if the PH is going to bounce I dont wanna stress out the fish by it. Its the fact I can get way cheaper then base and live rock, its just I dont got the money for it

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Ramsey
http:///forum/post/3274796
Well if the PH is going to bounce I dont wanna stress out the fish by it. Its the fact I can get way cheaper then base and live rock, its just I dont got the money for it

This hobby is very expensive. Maybe for now you should just go for a freshwater tank. That is what I did until my children were grown. I loved my freshwater tanks and dreamed of the day when I could go for a saltwater one.

 

[btldreef]

I have to agree with Flower. The cost of live rock/base rock is considerably cheap compared to many other expenses you'll run into down the road in this hobby.
Look for some local reef forums and on craigslist for people that are getting rid of their tank. Most people give away live rock or sell it for like $2/lb. If you can't afford that, this isn't the right hobby for you unfortunately.

 

[ramsey]

I have been in this hobby for a while now. I do have a 55gal setup but I used Caribsea Moon Rock with Live Rock but they dont carry the rock any more and that tank has been up and running since I joined. Iam upgrading now to a 125gal and was trying to find a way that would work

 

[btldreef]

Originally Posted by Ramsey
http:///forum/post/3275125
I have been in this hobby for a while now. I do have a 55gal setup but I used Caribsea Moon Rock with Live Rock but they dont carry the rock any more and that tank has been up and running since I joined. Iam upgrading now to a 125gal and was trying to find a way that would work
Definitely understand the price issue. To make your own wouldn't cost too much, you might want to look into that a little. Honestly, if it's a FOWLR and youre upgrading, just find some nice pieces over time as you have the money, you'll have enough for a little bit as long as you're running a good filtration system. Good luck