Inexpensive base rock

[Jl330]

With my tank upgrade coming up asap, I need more rock. My lfs sells dry base rock for almost $3 a pound and they never have enough to build off of. I have a lot of live rock already but I need a few more big chunks to build my base. Not sure where to get it.

 

[ReefWithCare]

Try macro rock or see if there is a local hobbyist selling rock. I got macro in bulk for a little less than $2 a lb

 

[Jl330]

Anybody bought any on ebay?

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I bought some on Amazon a couple of months ago for just over $1 /lb . https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8DVAO4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[jschultzbass]

BRS Reef Saver rock is $2.69/lb. I use this as base and build up with Pukani.

 

[Jl330]

I bought some on Amazon a couple of months ago for just over $1 /lb . https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F8DVAO4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There were a few reviews on this stuff that scared me. People saying it's not real rock, not porous, and it's dirty as can be.

I'm transferring about 60 pounds of live rock over to the new tank but I'd like 50 or so pounds of quality base rock to help fill the voids of the bigger tank.

 

[Jl330]

https://www.chewy.com/natures-ocean...is45teBB3R7YuEIWsgG4ObG34W1MCgbxoCYTYQAvD_BwE

I also found this. I think it's the same stuff from amazon.

 

[Jl330]

I also just read not to add dry rock to an established tank. So with that said, I think I may just buy some live rock and accept that it's going to cost money. Wasn't what I was expecting to do.

 

[Jl330]

I also just read not to add dry rock to an established tank. So with that said, I think I may just buy some live rock and accept that it's going to cost money. Wasn't what I was expecting to do.

ETA unless it would be safe to cure my dry rock in my tank that's cycling and then when it's stable, transfer to the display. Just don't want to kill my coral.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

There were a few reviews on this stuff that scared me. People saying it's not real rock, not porous, and it's dirty as can be.

I'm transferring about 60 pounds of live rock over to the new tank but I'd like 50 or so pounds of quality base rock to help fill the voids of the bigger tank.

It seems pretty porous to me. I was a bit skeptical of it as well due to the price, but I figured at that price, if it wouldn't work, I'm not out that much money. One thing I did have to do is to rinse it a LOT! Lots of loose powder. Even after rinsing it, it made the tank cloudy for a day or so. I put in a micron filter that I rinsed out every 6 hours or so, and put a powerhead on it. What I SHOULD have done (hindsight, yeah...) is to put it in a Brute container with water and a powerhead BEFORE I put it in the tank, then rinse it again.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I also just read not to add dry rock to an established tank. So with that said, I think I may just buy some live rock and accept that it's going to cost money. Wasn't what I was expecting to do.

ETA unless it would be safe to cure my dry rock in my tank that's cycling and then when it's stable, transfer to the display. Just don't want to kill my coral.

If you've got the money, live rock is by far the best way to go IMO, but I added a little live rock and also 40 pounds of live aragonite sand to help get things established a little quicker.

 

[Jl330]

It seems pretty porous to me. I was a bit skeptical of it as well due to the price, but I figured at that price, if it wouldn't work, I'm not out that much money. One thing I did have to do is to rinse it a LOT! Lots of loose powder. Even after rinsing it, it made the tank cloudy for a day or so. I put in a micron filter that I rinsed out every 6 hours or so, and put a powerhead on it. What I SHOULD have done (hindsight, yeah...) is to put it in a Brute container with water and a powerhead BEFORE I put it in the tank, then rinse it again.

If I go that route, I'll take my pressure washer to it, then soak it in salt water with some powerheads on it for a few weeks to cure it. I don't want to risk anything weird leaching into my already established tank and killing my corals.

 

[coryjac0b]

I went with https://www.reefcleaners.org/ base rock and it's good stuff. I started with a new tank so your results may be different.

 

[Jl330]

I went with https://www.reefcleaners.org/ base rock and it's good stuff. I started with a new tank so your results may be different.

Now that looks promising. They say that it can be added to an established tank with no ill effects.

I wonder how many people have done this.

Last time I added any dry rock I went into a mini cycle and had a huge algae outbreak so I hate to go through that again. I may buy some from them and cycle it in my QT tank.

 

[coryjac0b]

I have not had detectable phosphates since starting the tank. So I imagine if anything would start to be leeched by the rocks it would have started by now. Tank has been running about 5-6 months.

 

[EW_Fish]

There were a few reviews on this stuff that scared me. People saying it's not real rock, not porous, and it's dirty as can be.

I'm transferring about 60 pounds of live rock over to the new tank but I'd like 50 or so pounds of quality base rock to help fill the voids of the bigger tank.

I've bought and used this rock before. Its not porous at all and I don't think much base rock is porous. I have just recently bought pukani dry rock off ebay for $4lb. Very pleased with it also. I have a ton of rock wish I could get to you lol I hoard rocks.

 

[ZoWhat]

There are people leaving the hobby in DROVES all the time.

I look at Craigslist about once a week for the desperate Seller who has SW stuff that no one is interested in.

You'd be surprised on the amount of FREE stuff Sellers are willing to part with bc they are moving out of state, getting a divorce, disinterested in the hobby, etc etc.

Like UpRight Pianos.... you cant give them away bc they are a pain to move, heavy as a car. I've seen full upright pianos sit on CL for 6mos or more saying, "FREE FREE....plz come take this piano of out my house!"

 

[mta_morrow]

Second tank w reefcleaners base rock

Never a problem and lots of holes!

 

[EW_Fish]

There are people leaving the hobby in DROVES all the time.

I look at Craigslist about once a week for the desperate Seller who has SW stuff that no one is interested in.

You'd be surprised on the amount of FREE stuff Sellers are willing to part with bc they are moving out of state, getting a divorce, disinterested in the hobby, etc etc.

Like UpRight Pianos.... you cant give them away bc they are a pain to move, heavy as a car. I've seen full upright pianos sit on CL for 6mos or more saying, "FREE FREE....plz come take this piano of out my house!"

To be honest that what I do I've scored tanks rocks lights all kinds of stuff for little to nothing

 

[gcarroll]

I'd highly recommend:
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-reef-saver-dry-aquarium-live-rock.html
https://www.marinedepot.com/AquaMax...eef_Aquariums-AquaMaxx-UJ21010-FISSLR-vi.html

Both have stellar reviews and a nice porous structure. A lot of amazing reef tanks have been built using this rock as the primary rock so that should give it street cred!