Helping a friend getting started - Aquarium Advice

degbowl · 05-14-2007, 09:24 PM

I have had my sw up for about 18 months now. I have a friend that wants to set up a tank. The first thing I did was give him a copy of The New Marine Aquarium. He has been doing fw for 40 yrs. Does anyone know where to get playsand in the NY area? He is setting up a 70 gal tank. I also was looking for base rock. I bought mine from HI Rocks on ebay. The site hirocks.com is no longer working and he hasn't sold anything on ebay for over a year. Any suggestions for good base rock at a good price? I have a feeling my friend is going to rush into it. I just want to steer him the right way. Thanks for any help.
Jim

Lance M. · 05-14-2007, 09:32 PM

Good job giving him a book. Tell him to read up as much as he can before he starts and you can help him along the way.

For base rock- I've heard a lot of good about marcorocks.com, though I've never used them.

**roka64** · 05-15-2007, 10:37 AM

I love my Base Rock from Marc. As for sand, you can read through this Playsand Thread or check around in your regional forum. You may want to have your friend sign up on this site.

**melosu58** · 05-15-2007, 04:36 PM

Even though base rock is Ok to use I would suggest some LR to help seed the BR. Maybe around 15-20 lbs. You dont have to do this but it would speed up the process.

degbowl · 05-15-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melosu58

Even though base rock is Ok to use I would suggest some LR to help seed the BR. Maybe around 15-20 lbs. You dont have to do this but it would speed up the process.

That was the plan. With a 70 gal tank I don't want him buying 100 lbs of LR. I think 20 lbs LR would be enough.

Hara · 05-15-2007, 07:51 PM

IMO, the majority of the rock should be good live rock..base rock can take MONTHS to seed.

**lando** · 05-15-2007, 08:07 PM

I agree. Starting a SW tank, especially a larger one is a very spendy venture. Using a combination of LR and BS is a good way to save on some start-up costs. That said, the more LR you can start with the faster your tank will cycle and the faster your BS will develope.

05-14-2007, 09:24 PM	#1
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	Helping a friend getting started I have had my sw up for about 18 months now. I have a friend that wants to set up a tank. The first thing I did was give him a copy of The New Marine Aquarium. He has been doing fw for 40 yrs. Does anyone know where to get playsand in the NY area? He is setting up a 70 gal tank. I also was looking for base rock. I bought mine from HI Rocks on ebay. The site hirocks.com is no longer working and he hasn't sold anything on ebay for over a year. Any suggestions for good base rock at a good price? I have a feeling my friend is going to rush into it. I just want to steer him the right way. Thanks for any help. Jim

05-15-2007, 07:51 PM	#6
Hara Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,867 Images: 33	IMO, the majority of the rock should be good live rock..base rock can take MONTHS to seed. __________________ ~~~~~Hara~~~~~~ View My Tanks Visit FantasyReef.com's Databases!

05-15-2007, 08:07 PM	#7
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,669 Images: 46	I agree. Starting a SW tank, especially a larger one is a very spendy venture. Using a combination of LR and BS is a good way to save on some start-up costs. That said, the more LR you can start with the faster your tank will cycle and the faster your BS will develope. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

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05-14-2007, 09:32 PM	#2
Lance M. Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,186	Good job giving him a book. Tell him to read up as much as he can before he starts and you can help him along the way. For base rock- I've heard a lot of good about marcorocks.com, though I've never used them.