Preparing Reef Rock

[DangerClose]

Hi new to Reefing.

I am about to try and build an aquascape in my 75 gallon tank.
My question is, how long will it take for my white rock to turn purple/ be reef ready?

 

[MnFish1]

Hi new to Reefing.

I am about to try and build an aquascape in my 75 gallon tank.
My question is, how long will it take for my white rock to turn purple/ be reef ready?

I'm assuming you're talking about dry white rock?

Rock doesn't have to be purple to be 'reef ready'. Instead - you can buy 'pink rock' or you can buy 'white rock'.

If you buy 'white rock' - over time - as it is covered in coralline algae it will turn pink/purple or some other color depending on what algae decides to grow on it. The same thing will happen to pink rock it will also change color depending on what grows on it. Some people think it makes a tank look more natural. But - both take the same time to cycle.

So - part of the question might be. -what do you mean by 'reef ready'. You can have a tank 'cycled' in a couple weeks - and be ready to start adding things slowly.

You can also buy 'LIVE ROCK' - from various dealers that are already covered with various algae, etc etc that come right from the ocean - this is more expensive than 'dry' rock some of these can have more coralline (pink) algae already on them.

Hope this helps - hope your tank planning goes well - and welcome to R2R