Ok so I'm totally new to saltwater let alone reef tanks, but I really want to learn and start one. I've had a lot of freshwater aquariums in fact have one running now, so my question is, I want to start the reef but don't really want to use live rock due to the expense. I've researched DIY Live Rock and know that it takes a long time to drop PH and grow coralline algae on it after the PH stabilizes. What if I make fake rock out of something like polygem like on tanked or this stuff called smooth-on, I know its all "fish safe" and I'll have to beef up my filtration due to the lack of the filter capabilities of these products. I just want to be able to grow corals too. Does anyone have experience with either and know if or will coral grow on these?
Thanks,
Derik
Thanks,
Derik