Ceramic Reef Rock

[cdness]

I have a structure made out of ceramic specific for reefs. It was made by Cerameco. I have a few questions:

1. Will it work just like dry rock for filtration?

2. Will it have the same type of cycle as other dry rock?

3. Any concerns from others who have used ceramics in their reef in the past?

 

[lumbeejerk]

I have a magrock on my back glass woonder the same thing I do know my water was cloudy for a few weeks from it

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No

 

[SaltAddict89]

Does he still deal with them?

 

[Sangheili]

I would do some research on Alumina and the issues with MarinePure filters. I have not read enough on the topic myself to form an opinion - but there may be issues with alumina/aluminum contamination.

 

[hart24601]

The ceramico vidarock that I have are not aluminum based like the marine pure blocks. I have been very happy with mine, all I use in my 120.

 

[Headlee]

I make my own and have no problem with them at all. However, I did find that fresh rock put directly in the tank could spike the alk level a bit higher than you may like. This effect goes away with water changes and time. So, now I soak them all for awhile in ro/di water first.

 

[SaltAddict89]

Wanna make me some

 

[ebushrow]

If you get the stuff that is fired correctly, it is virtually glass (vitrified) as the silica and other portions melt together. The pores left behind is perfect for bacterial colonization. I actually make custom rock work for people and have done some (non-scientific) tests measuring over time with a test kit, and if it is rinsed well or left overnight in RODI, I have never seen an issue. CeramEco is so bad to work with that many carriers will no longer tolerate their lack of order fulfillment and poor working relationships (Aquarium Specialty is one). As for a cycle/spike, it would be the equivalent to adding new dry rock to your tank....if you do it slowly (sometimes I even put 1/2 of the rock in the sump lifted with acrylic first then submerge it all after a week or 2) the bacteria that are already in the tank will colonize it without too much of a spike in ammonia or nitrites. Here are some examples of the frag racks that people use (most popular).

 

[s2minute]

I have Terracotta Clay pots inside my DT for months now. Coralline algae is now growing on it.[h=3][/h]

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I would do some research on Alumina and the issues with MarinePure filters. I have not read enough on the topic myself to form an opinion - but there may be issues with alumina/aluminum contamination.

Been using marinepure since the product came out. no aluminum issues at all. that is an unproven myth.