Rocks

Clownface · Jun 21, 2020

Hello, any suggestions on where to buy rocks for a 36gallon tank?
and any suggested reading such as when to add them when cycling a tank for the first time.thanks much.

Webslinger · Jun 21, 2020

LFS or online

BRS TV is your friend

JCTReefer · Jun 21, 2020

Here’s a video on some of the different type rocks available. It’s worth a watch!

Clownface · Jun 21, 2020

Thanks much. I’m looking for rocks such as below but wider. I like the stacked look. I have the one below but it’s made of some sort of plaster or something.Not rock or stone?any recommendations is most welcome.And the search continues. Thanks

ahiggins · Jun 21, 2020

Brs sells the flat shelf rocks.

Clownface · Jun 21, 2020

Thanks, I think what I’m looking for is shale. Is shale safe for a saltwater environment?thanks

Clownface · Jun 21, 2020

I was just checking BRS and the closest they had to what I’m looking for is This But they’re not as flat/stackable as I’m looking for. Not finding anything on google either.

Fishbird · Jun 21, 2020

I would be hesitant to put shale in your tank. Shale is a sedimentary rock like limestone and dolostone (the rocks we want in our tanks) but shale contains far more minerals than either limestone and dolostone. Shale is also far more variable in its composition so without making thin sections of your particular rock and looking under a polarizing microscope (or doing some other analysis) you’re not going to know which minerals you have. You could have heavy metals, and all sorts of other elements which may or may not cause a problem in a reef tank. I wouldn’t risk it.

Clownface · Jun 21, 2020

Clownface said:
I was just checking BRS and the closest they had to what I’m looking for is This But they’re not as flat/stackable as I’m looking for. Not finding anything on google either.

As it turns out BRS has exactly what I’m looking for. thanks again

Clownface · Jun 24, 2020

Still searching and found This dry rock
is dry rock okay or is live rock better?
It comes in 20-25lbs And I have a 36gal. tank. Will I need to add more rocks?

Brandon.helvie · Jun 24, 2020

Clownface said:
Still searching and found This dry rock
is dry rock okay or is live rock better?
It comes in 20-25lbs And I have a 36gal. tank. Will I need to add more rocks?

You'll find a number of different answers on this one, each has its pros and cons. When I set up my tank I went with dry rock because I wanted to avoid unwanted pests. However, what I missed out on was a wanted diverse population that comes with live rock. Also, I inherited a number of algae and other programs while waiting for the dry rock to become "live". I'm nearly 5 months in and its getting better but a majority could have been avoided by going with live. If I had to do it again i'd spend the extra money for the live rock. However, there isn't a correct answer, to each their own.