Base Rock Any one know?

[Neenie]

Quick Question...

We are going to upgrade from a 42 gallon to a 100 gallon in the not too distant future...

Obviously, Base Rock, Ocean Rock, what ever you want to call it is a lot cheaper than Live Rock, We have about 20kg of LR already and will want to add more to the new tank, but think adding some base rock first would be a cheaper option..

Actually two questions!

Is that a good and feasible idea..

How long will it take in your humble opinions for it to seed from the LR and will it be as good eventually as LR.

Thanks guys...

[Reefscape]

Yes, it would be fine to add base rock to the system....I always suggest 60% live rock and 40% base rock..Takes prolly about 8 months for the base rock to become properly live...

Niko

[Neenie]

Great thanks Niko. definately the cheaper choice..

[Reefscape]

yeah, i would always recomend it, if the option is there to use base rock..The only down side is the time it takes to become properly live...

Niko

[NapoliNewJersey]

I'm upgrading from a 55 to a 120 around christmas time.

I'm building the stand now. I was planning on doing the same thing. So good to hear that as well. I was going to go with a 50-50 and let the tank run for 3-4 months. But 60-40 sounds better.

[Reefscape]

Hey NNJ...i hope your gonna be documenting the build in Marine Products and DIY?...he he he he

[BIGgourami]

is live defined as having nitrifying bacteria living on it, or all of the macro and coralline algeas on it?
cause the bacteria shouldn't take more than just a few months.

[Neenie]

I guess I was talking about the bacteria... the algae i thought would be quite quick to attach itself.... ???

[Reefscape]

It does take a piece of dead base rock a good few months to get up to the level of bacteria and provide the filtration that a comparable lump of fully cured live rock provides in a tank...yes, bacteria will effectivly start growing there quite soon, but, as a comparison level to live, its a good while..

Niko

[Germanman]

yea as Niko said the rock does take a long time. its not just bacteria colonization but micro fauna as well that takes the long time. another ting u can do besides adding live rock is building PVC shelves that the rock ts stacked or fastened to...but it by fare isnt as beneficial as making dead rock live in the long run.

[BIGgourami]

hmmm...
i forgot about them good point