Thinking Salt

[Shelby]

So bought a 90gallon tank with stand, protien skimmer, lights, uv sterilizer, powerheads, wet dry filter system, etc.

I need to purchase, salt, rock, heater, substrate, and fish.

My question is this. If I buy base rock and live rock; how long (average or any thoughts)will it take for the base rock to seed?

Will base rock help with filtration at all? Or does it not do any filtration until it is seeded?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Doesnt aid filtration at all until it is seeded (with bacteria). This can take a few weeks and you have to make sure your base rock is decent stuff (very porous). Best option for base rock is to use reef bones as this is basically dead live rock that is dried out.

When you think about seeding new rock there are two types of seeding to think about.

One is the bacteria that does the filtration. This can take as long as a normal cycle takes (so 2-3 weeks typically).

The other is the seeding of marine critters and life (pods, sponges, etc). This can take a little longer. I have used base rock in the past and it took about 6 months before it started to look like proper live rock. After a year it would probably be hard to tell them apart 9sounds like a long time but it goes quickly).

 

[Shelby]

I know it will take a bit of time to "look" like live rock. So basically, if someone has a broken down reef tank that has let the rock dry out that would make great base rock?

 

[nick87]

As above, reef bones can make great base rock, most other types of rock are going to be pretty much useless.

Reef bones can be bought from here http/www.firststopaquatics.co.uk/acatalog/Reef_Bones_Plating_Rock.html

 

[Shelby]

I will have to look for a place in the US that sells it. Great idea though.

 

[chr15_8]

have a look at marco rocks (i think thats the name) they sponsor a well known us reef forum