ROCKS that are SAFE to use???

blitz99

blitz99

Member
well, nobody is jumping at my other thread so here is this one:
i'm looking for safe rocks to use and build up so i can spread my live rocks on top of...
i see through the threads that lava rock is no good...
what is "LACE ROCK"??? or HONEYCOMB ROCK? are these things i can get at my landscaping store or not?
what CAN i use from a landscaping store?
 
pontius

pontius

Active Member
go to ---- and do a search for "Hi Rocks", it base rock from Hawaii. it's dirt cheap, you can sometimes get it for $1 per pound shipped.
I've also heard (don't know for sure) that you can use rock from a coquina pit. one lfs told me it even helps to keep pH stable. that's also pretty cheap if there's a pit around you.
 
dskidmore

dskidmore

Active Member
There's also artificial rock. Search on google for "aragonite cement plastic" and you'll find a bunch of articles. The main advantage there is you can form strctures in any shape/size you want instead of having to hunt for the shapes you want.
 
dragonboy

dragonboy

Active Member
Well if your lucky enough like me sometimes you can find fiji rocks for sale for $1.75 from people who is quitting the hobby.
 
zap800

zap800

Member
lace rock is fine. you can also find other stuff but i cant think of the stuff i bought for base rock.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I ordered my own aragonite base rock, but here are the basic ones you can find at your lfs.
Base rock comes in different forms Like:
Aragonite, this is usually white to tan colord rocks and are calcium cabonite based, coralline algae does well with this type of rock. Aragonite rock was formed in the ocean.
Tufa - which is cream, tan or brown. Coralline algea has been reported to grow very well on this rock, however it can contain heavy minerals which can be bad. If you use this rock you should soak it in saltwater for a few weeks and test it.
Lava - can be red, brown even black. Lave rock has been known to leach many minerals, but some people use it with succesful coralline growth. This is a must test first rock, soak it in saltwater and test for a few weeks IMO.
These are the basic three that you can find at your LFS. They should be dry and cheap, no more than a couple of dollars a pound. Some LFS do not like to sell it because it is so cheap and they do not make enough money on it.
Thomas
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Most respectable on-line vendors that sell top quality LR will also have base rock available at a much less expensive price. Basically it is the same type of rock...just dead. I would use caution with any other options...sure they can work...and yup they are less expensive...but short cuts can often be fatal in this hobby. I'd at least research and gather info on all the available options before making a decission. I prefer to use cured base rock as a foundation and build up from there with only quality LR...preferably Figi for me.
 
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