View Full Version : base rock? which type and where to get
sirsolo
06-03-2003, 6:18 PM
Title pretty much says it all. I want to get some base rock for my 55gal tank since LR is too expensive. I am thinking about 40 lbs of base rock + 30 lbs of LR.
I have read that the type of rock that may work as base rock are aragonite (preferably), lace, lava, or tufa. Is this true based on your experience? How about any other type of rocks? I have also read someone using cement as base rock, but that's not something I have in mind. For those of you who are interested, here is the link (http://www.mindspear.com/reef/concrete/)
Also, where would you get these? I would like to avoid buying it mail order since shipping is rather expensive. I tried a local Lowe's, but they don't carry any, and another store they referred me to (Pioneer Sand Co.) carry rocks that go by different names (see http://www.pioneersand.com/products/rock.htm). I asked for aragonite rock, and they haven't heard about it. :(
Any thoughts?
JasonA
06-03-2003, 7:24 PM
Lowes carries the Play Sand that you need...it's about $4.29 for a 50lb. bag.....
As for the Lace Rock...any LFS should have it....I paid .99/lb. for mine..
sirsolo
06-05-2003, 4:51 PM
I tried a few LFS for base rock, and they want $1.99 to $2.99 per lb! I might as well buy live rock from marine depot or live aquaria.
OrionGirl
06-05-2003, 5:02 PM
Lava rock can be safely used in SW, and is ideally composed, being very porous. Finding it in large chunks might be your biggest problem--it's often sold crushed.
JasonA
06-05-2003, 6:17 PM
Where do you live? If you are in SoCal anywhere, then it's $0.99/lb. at this one place !!!
If you look at my pics for my recent setup, you'll see all the lace rock I bought.
But again, kinda strange for you to see such high prices as every LFS I've been to has not been over $1.99/lb.
sirsolo
06-05-2003, 6:28 PM
This is in Colorado (Boulder). I think it's just too much, and I will just buy some LR online. I mean why would I buy a base rock for $1.99-$2.99 when marinedepot.com has 44 lbs of Fiji Premium Quality Pre-Cured Live Rock for $149.95 shipped, which comes out to be about $3.4/lb.
Thanks for your help!
OrionGirl
06-05-2003, 10:00 PM
Well, if you make it down to Denver, South Broadway Tropicals sells great base rock pretty cheaply, as does Denizens of the Deep in Fort Collins.
Which store do you frequent in Boulder? We went to a couple, and I think I remember one of them having dirt cheap rock...Can't recall the name. It was in a strip mall, not a super organized place, like a maze to get to all the tanks...
Of course, by base rock, I just mean dry lace/lava rock...Not the barren wet base rock many places sell. It just acts as a foundation for bacteria, rather than a seed.
sirsolo
06-06-2003, 12:32 PM
Thanks for the tip, OrionGirl. I have to go to Denver tomorrow, so I will stop by South Broadway Tropicals to get some base rocks.
As far as I know, there is only one LFS in Boulder which is Exotic Aquatics. I also tried a store in Westminster (forgot the name of it), but Denver probably has a better selection of stores.
OrionGirl
06-06-2003, 12:42 PM
http://fins.actwin.com/dir/stores.php?c=1&r=22
They list several stores in Boulder, as well as the rest of CO.
sirsolo
06-06-2003, 1:21 PM
That's a nice link! Thanks.
HI Rocks (http://www.hirocks.com/pages/894239/index.htm) sells some true aragonite baserock for about $1/lb delivered. Feller Stone (http://www.fellerstone.com) sells lace rock for about the same price. I have a friend that ordered from HI Rocks and she loved it.
I saw lava rock mentioned, but I wanna caution you about it. Lava rock CAN contain, not always it can, heavy metals that are not good for your tank. I personally wouldn't use lava.
Tuffa, lace or the aragonite rock would be your best bet.
EDIT: Here, this link (http://www.garf.org/combo2.html) might help you decide.