Rock Rock Rock

[EHaddad]

I am looking at doing a 160 gallon tank. I am looking at the Reef Saver dry rock on BRS.

1. Is this a good porous Rock?

2. How much rock do I need for this tank? I don’t want the bulk of my aquarium to be rock.

 

[Hitman]

Look at the new caribsea life rock shapes from brs. My lfs is using it for all their custom build now and they look amazing. They recommend 1 pound per gallon. In my opinion that’s to much.

 

[cracker]

Good question I like an open tank also . May less than 1oo#s ? I have 160lbs in my 180 & there is good open room.
Please wait for other suggestions.

 

[lapin]

You can search for threads with "Marco Rock, Reefsaver, and "Dry reef rock from an ancient quarry"
They all come from the same quarry. It is good rock. Heavier than pukani but no phosphates to leach out.
Lots of holes and very porous. The amount of rock depends on whats going into your tank. The more critters and fish the more filtration you need. If its just coral you only need enough to make it look good and have display areas for your coral. You can always place some in the sump if more filtration is needed.
I have a mixed reef light bioload. It has 16 large pieces that weight 30 to 40 lbs apiece. So about 1 lb per gallon

 

[Daniel Waters]

Just use as much rock as you need to create the aquascape you want. The 1 lb per 1 gallon rule of thumb is outdated in my opinion (and weight is a bad metric anyway as more porous rock is better than denser rock). If you're concerned about having enough surface area for bacteria, purchase some ceramic media and throw in your sump. Those medias contain multiples more surface area to house bacteria and will serve the same purpose as rock in the display tank.

 

[EHaddad]

Would you cure your dry rock in your tank or would you cure it in a separate container?

 

[Hitman]

Separate container. I think it’s best to fill a Rubbermaid tote or garbage can 3/4 full of saltwater put a strong powerhead at the bottom then stack as much rock in it as you can, then add a bottle of Bio Spira. Twice a week add some vinegar to feed the bacteria and bam in a month you have rock as good as wet live rock from your lfs. Is it as good as rock from a tank that’s years and years old probably not, but it’s better and hitchhiker free then what you’ll get from a lfs.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Would you cure your dry rock in your tank or would you cure it in a separate container?

Some people claim dry rock can leach phosphates. I have no idea how true that is or isn't. I'd probably put some in a small container with saltwater and test for phosphates after a day or two and see. If no phosphate leaching, I'd just add the rock to my main tank (after working on aquascape ideas outside the tank first). If you do have leaching, you could leave in smaller containers and do multiple water changes over time to pull the phosphates out (which would be easier to do in a smaller container versus the main tank). Another option would be to just go ahead and add it to the main tank but use some phosphate removal media like GFO as you cycle the rock.

 

[User1]

Dry rock can leach phosphates but it depends on the source or if man made. For example dry Pukani, which is difficult if not impossible to get now, has a history of leaching phosphates. I have 150 lbs of it and guess what, it leached phosphates. I removed from the boxes, washed, then pressure washed, then spread out into 4 or 5 17 gallon bins, added tap water, bleach, power head, run 24 hours, emptied, repeated tap water and bleach, 24 more hours, repeat for another 24 hours, then emptied and refilled with tap water. Instead of bleach this time I added lanthium chloride to help remove the phosphates. Similar 24 hours, drain, refill, add more LC, 24 hours, etc. Once this was done I washed, then pressure washed, then aquascape, then into my tank to start the cycle...

I have phosphates in my tank but it isn't bad. In fact, it is manageable. I would say do your research and see the rock you are going to purchase and understand the source and read a bit more to see what some others who used it before you did or if they had measurable phosphates. I really think it just depends again on the source. Has far as to cure in or out of the tank. Again that is up to you. Once I was done with bleach, LC, and pressure washing I threw it in the tank and started the cycle. Worked for me but I can't say that will work for others.

 

[lapin]

Would you cure your dry rock in your tank or would you cure it in a separate container?

Separate container for me, I wanted to be sure there were no phosphates with Marco rock. I could not find answers to this so I did the testing myself. No phosphates. I used 3ea 100 gallon tubs. Salt water, heated and power heads. Dr Tims ammonia. His bacteria plus a few bottles of other brands. Biospira ect....
1 table shrimp per tub. Took about 5 to 6 weeks to cycle. You end up with a lot of nitrates in the water when done. You dont want this in your tank. For me it was easier to put the cycled rock in the tank and add fresh mixed salt water instead of the other way (Massive water changes).
Note: dry rock has dust. You might want to wash it off before cycling.

 

[roberthu526]

My experience is it is very dense and heavy. No where close to pukani as far as porosity goes. You need about 160 pounds for a normal aquascape. The rock is very heavy.

 

[Devaji]

IMHO the best scape use a few different types of rock. get an idea of what kind of scape you like so you know what type of rock to get.
ie, branch base shelf etc. don't be afraid to take chisel and hammer and bust things up to create the look you like.

you got tons of options:
for live rock you have
Tampa bay they ship in water over night $100 air fright and around $6 per pound. ( just QT it for snapping shrimp and crabs )
KP aquatic aquacultured in the Florida keys. I have got there nano box before.
real reef rock man man stuff with colors and shaps they have branch, shelf and normal. LR with out any hitch hikers. looks good in the tank.

all those are worth looking in to.

now for DRY ROCK :
see if there are any reefers in your area might be able to find some great deals on rock that has been sitting in someone garage.

reefer saver is nice. its a classic
alot of ppl are using the shelf rock form macro rock. http://www.marcorocks.com/all-rock/
there foundation rocks look cool to as well as there pedestal rock.

take your time and get it right before filling the tank. on my last tank I got super LR for TBS flown in, in water so I just did a 15 min scape and bam I had a reef tank. the problem was I did not love the scape ( loved the rock tho) so I did not glue down frags thus loose quite a few over the year do to falling coral and what not.

I am setting up a new tank and I will be going with real reef rock along with the stuff i got from TBS you get the best of both worlds...

happy reefing!