Base Rock and Live Rock in new tank

[Aquarium Freak]

I was hoping to get some suggestions in regards to using base rock in a new tank with live rock also...I am starting up a new 56 gal cube tank and have read that people use base rock and live rock together in new tanks...any views or suggestions on pounds of each to use or should it all be live rock...it will be uncured live rock also, not sure if that make a difference or not with base...

Thank in advance for any advice

[roka64]

I am currently setting up a 125G. I am planning on 150Lbs of base and about 50Lbs of LR. You can probably, in your case, treat the uncured as base and add it all at the same time, then do your fishless cycle.
I am shooting for 1.5-2Lbs per gallon in my tank.

[Aquarium Freak]

I know that the base rock is cheaper to purchase and the uncured live rock is 8.99 lb so I guess that is why I was hoping to use the base also..I do have a place that I can purchase cured lr for also should I maybe do that instead of the uncured in a new tank?

Thanks again

[alaher2]

I read somewhere on this forum that you should have at least 20% of live rock with respect to your base rock. For example, if you were going to have 100lbs of base rock, you would need 20lbs of live rock. Then again I don't know where this information came from, I just read it somewhere on the forums. Hope that helps.

[Aquarium Freak]

I was thinking of going somewhere around the 75 lb mark for rock..both kinds so maybe I will go for the 40 lbs base and 35 lbs live and see how is goes...this saltwater stuff is pretty overwhelming to say the least...I read the forums and think maybe I should just stick to my freshwater that I know inside and out..sure makes me feel that I know nothing about fish..

Hoping to catch on here soon.....

[roka64]

Remember "live", we are only talking about the nitrifying bacteria on/in the rock, much like live sand. 20% could be a decent number, but if you are cycling your tank, I imagine it wont any drastic effects either way. The critters on the cured LR/live sand are just bonuses.
I think it will just take longer for the colorful coraline to move onto the base rock if you have a small amount of LR.
I have been in contact with Marc, from marcorocks.com/ and plan on ordering from him this Friday, for my base rock, I'll pick up the LR as I find pieces that I like from my LFS.

[quixand]

As always Roka, nice link.

I'm toying with the idea of doing a 55 gallon after the holidays. That would save me a bundle I think.

[tecwzrd]

Originally Posted by Aquarium Freak

this saltwater stuff is pretty overwhelming to say the least...

Hoping to catch on here soon.....

Really it's just more expensive to setup but maintaining is really close to FW.

Main thing to remember is that SW doesn't exchange oxygen as well as FW so you're more limited to the amount of fish you can have. A basic rule is 1" per 5 gal of water or about 11" total fish length for the 56 gal your considering.

As long as you take it slowly and research thoroughly you should do fine.

As for the base/lr combo it's a great way to save money and with the amount of lr you're considering it would all "look" live within a year or two.

The 35 lbs of uncured lr would probably be enough to start your cycle. If not you could always toss in a raw shrimp

[roka64]

Originally Posted by tecwzrd

The 35 lbs of uncured lr would probably be enough to start your cycle. If not you could always toss in a raw shrimp

I agree, I felt a little funny buying 5 pieces of unseasoned/raw shrimp from my grocery store. A whopping $.53! LOL!

[melosu58]

You know I know some people that have used all BR and they have nice tanks. It will have the nitrifying bacteria on it at the end of the cycle just like any LR. It might take a little longer but you will achieve the same results except for that bonus feature Scott was talking about.(Critters) Good Luck AF