Ocean Rock In A Marine Tank

[rdp50734]

Maybe a silly question but I want to make sure I dont make a mistake!

As the header is it suitable to use in a marine tank? I know I would need live rock too but can it be used as a base rock?

If so what sort of percentage of live rock to base rock should be used?

Thanks!

 

[ben1987]

it could be used as base rock, but theres no point in it what so ever, its not pourus at all so it wont seed and become live. you would be better using reef bones

 

[rdp50734]

Thanks, I dont know much about rock so thought I would ask! Good job your around!

 

[ben1987]

well reef bones is basically dead and dry live rock, so it has been alive once and will become so again in time when placed in the tank. usually about half the price of live rock. a 50/50 mix would work but expect to stock slower and get a bit more aglae while the tank matures.

 

[rdp50734]

That would be ok, I'm thinking of starting with corals then adding the fish later down the road.

Do you need to put anything under the rock such as egg crate to distribute the weight?

 

[ben1987]

i never have, i put the rock on the glass then sand in after, the rock has then got a firm base on the glass, putting sand in first means that if anything digs underneath then you can have a rock fall and it all collapses.

i dnt use egg crate under my rocks as it stops little creatures moving round in the sand, the sand is stood still and doesnt get turned over aswel and some fish bury themselves in sand

 

[rdp50734]

I see where your coming from, do you not worry about pressure points on the glass?

 

[ben1987]

ive never really worried, id be more inclined to just put an extra sheet of glass or acrylic on the bottom then it would be flat and not trapping the sand like egg crate.

 

[rdp50734]

Yeah thats a great idea! We have plenty of perspex at work that will work a treat. Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[seffieuk]

RDP, why not just wait until you can get all live rock, somewhere close to you, for approx £5 a kilo, dont be tempted to rush in and get from lfs

Seffie x

 

[rdp50734]

RDP, why not just wait until you can get all live rock, somewhere close to you, for approx £5 a kilo, dont be tempted to rush in and get from lfs

Seffie x

The ocean rock was 40KG for £20, so I thought it might be useful for a base rock and just to fill the tank out a bit! Its only planning stages yet. The FW fish are still going to be in there for a month or two yet, then its getting the tank setup with a sump, then actually starting the marine project!

 

[Pearsondesign]

are you using the rock with the freshwater fish for now? or am i getting mixed up?
cos thats not a good idea if you are, they would need a good clean afterwards

 

[rdp50734]

No the ocean rock is not in use I haven't bought it. It was a classified I saw and thought I may be able to utilise it at a cheaper cost. Due to the advice I have decided against it! I'm just going to stick with LR!

 

[Pearsondesign]

No the ocean rock is not in use I haven't bought it. It was a classified I saw and thought I may be able to utilise it at a cheaper cost. Due to the advice I have decided against it! I'm just going to stick with LR!

best idea! i built my reef tank on grotto rock, which will turn live eventually but wish i had done it all with LR now
but, its been running 9 months and the grotto rock is covered in stuff now

 

[rdp50734]

I understand the function of the live rock, but is it as nessersary for corals as for fish?

Also with the corals I have seen soft corals, hard corals, LSP, and a few other names, I know the difference between hard and soft but what about the others?