Base Rock

[PRW1988]

I was just wondering how long it takes base rock to turn into live (bacteria infested) rock??? I'm setting up a 5gallon nano reef and my work sells 6lbs of base rock for $16.99 and I have a $40 credit there so I figured I'd buy it. Also, would buying "Purple Up" (to help with the purple algea) be a good investment?

 

[tropicalwaters]

I would add a chunk of live rock, it will seed the rest of the rock. Otherwise if you only have pure base rock, it will be a while before its live.

 

[PRW1988]

Yeah, I'm buy a pack of the 5-6lbs of base rock and adding an extra 4-5lbs of live rock aswell. The base rock should go at the bottom of the tank I assume?

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, prolly best on the bottom. The base rock will become bacterial colonised within a few weeks-month. Remember though, "Live" refers to all the other invertebrates, calcerous algaes, macro algaes, sponges, tunicates, and more that come on real LR. This stuff really takes a while to colonize the BR. Having done it myself I'd now consider my BR LR, but it took the better part of a year

Edit: Purple-up is a bad additive IMO as it's not balanced. Some in-depth lessons in chemistry would be required here, but for now, just don't start blindly using it

 

[PRW1988]

Alright thanks much