Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank..

32Bit_Fish · 01-03-2007, 01:11 PM

Hi all,

Would you think it is a good idea to blend or mix all different types of LR together for a 20G reef tank?

Originally I just wanted to have Fiji in my tank. But I am kinda changing my mind after I saw the pics of some other type of LRs. They are very beautiful, some of them are even in red.

I appreciate any inputs.

lcstorc · 01-03-2007, 01:13 PM

I like a variety of lr in my tank. It's going to be a bit difficult in that small of a tank, but you could certainly buy a piece of this and a piece of that. Different types of lr tend to come with different kinds of life not to mention different shapes etc. Personally I also like to mix it up a bit.

boozeman · 01-03-2007, 01:19 PM

mixing is a good idea, that way you get more diversity in your microfauna

32Bit_Fish · 01-03-2007, 01:31 PM

Ok thx for the advice.

one more question... sorry, it's a little off the topic.

Do I need to have base rock in my tank? if so, why?

prow · 01-03-2007, 01:51 PM

no you dont need base rock. most use base rock to save money then colonize it with other seeded/colonized live rock. thats all.

32Bit_Fish · 01-03-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prow

no you dont need base rock. most use base rock to save money then colonize it with other seeded/colonized live rock. thats all.

Ok thx.

I'm planning to buy some cured LR and would it be a problem for cycling my tank since my tank is brand new?

But the vendor told me there are risks involved when using uncured LRs cuz there are going to bacterias n parasites in uncured LRs.

so what do u people think?

prow · 01-03-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32Bit_Fish

Ok thx.

I'm planning to buy some cured LR and would it be a problem for cycling my tank since my tank is brand new?

when you say uncured do mean base or dead rock?? or are you talking about "raw" "fresh" collected rock?? uncurred "fresh" LR will start a cycle. there will be alot of die off and it will take longer for your tank to balance and settle things out. the trade off is lots of different life forms will live through it=increased diversity.

Quote:

But the vendor told me there are risks involved when using uncured LRs cuz there are going to bacterias n parasites in uncured LRs.

yes, that is ture. there is a increased risk of getting all kinds of unwanted creatures, not only bacteria and parasites.

prow · 01-03-2007, 02:34 PM

O-- BTW, everytime you buy a coral or fish there is a risk of introducing unwanted things.

i know its not about LR but, i am just trying to encourage you to use a QT for any future additions once you get the tank all setup.

JFK_Jr · 01-03-2007, 02:43 PM

Since you're tank is 20 gallons... I would try to get the best possible quality of live rock available and pass on the base rock.

Sometimes LFS's might not have much of a selection. Since you are not looking at a large amount... you might want to consider buying from an online reputable source.

I don't have any personal experience with this company, but one of the ER doctors here at the hospital where I work purchased 200lbs from them and it's really nice rock. I keep trying to figure out how I can sneak some out of his tank when I visit.

http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/

lcstorc · 01-03-2007, 02:48 PM

Depending on where you are located you may be able to buy a piece or two from several separate reefers to get some diversity as well. Usually when buying on-line it is very expensive to buy small amounts. Your lfs may have some nice stuff though.

32Bit_Fish · 01-03-2007, 02:54 PM

Thanks..

How would you tell if a piece of LR is in high quality or a junk?

BTW, I meant uncured live rocks...

boozeman · 01-03-2007, 03:02 PM

..its all about managing the undesirables...you don't want crabs, mantis shrimp, fire worms, bubble or hair algae, aiptasia or dead/decomposing life attached to it ie: sponges/tunicates

prow · 01-03-2007, 03:02 PM

well aside from being very calcified and everything boozman said, it should also be very porous, less dense than the average.

PhilOlsen · 01-03-2007, 07:35 PM

You can get some good sized ruble pieces for cheap from various places, LFS, online, even ebay. This will give you a good mix of types and sizes.

Dentoid · 01-03-2007, 08:49 PM

Playing the devils advocate. Mixing LR from two different oceans, is similar to putting an Arctic rock in say Antarctica. Sure it's cold in both places but the organisms that survive and coexist together in the arctic region are not found in the Antarctic and vice versa. Or expecting a Pacific species, like an anemone fish, to coexist with an Atlantic anemone. I think this is true of many of the species we bring into our homes, wether is be fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, (the list goes on) and insist that they coexist together. Then wonder why they aren't doing well. Sure, we are just talking about LR, but good quality LR harbors many species. It goes back to having a plan for your aquarium. If your plan is to mix LR from two different oceans and then study the interactions-that's great. But with a small ecosystem, and the beauty and fragility of our oceans, I recommend picking LR and organisms and species of invertebrates and fishes that come from that region. A Gulf of Mexico patch reef could be set up using the LR from TBSaltwater as JFJJr has suggested or some type or Red Sea or Pacific style system, a Clam lagoon or brackish system... At any rate good luck and happy reefing.

01-03-2007, 01:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
32Bit_Fish Sea Pen Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 345 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. Hi all, Would you think it is a good idea to blend or mix all different types of LR together for a 20G reef tank? Originally I just wanted to have Fiji in my tank. But I am kinda changing my mind after I saw the pics of some other type of LRs. They are very beautiful, some of them are even in red. I appreciate any inputs.

01-03-2007, 01:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,786 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. I like a variety of lr in my tank. It's going to be a bit difficult in that small of a tank, but you could certainly buy a piece of this and a piece of that. Different types of lr tend to come with different kinds of life not to mention different shapes etc. Personally I also like to mix it up a bit. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-03-2007, 01:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. mixing is a good idea, that way you get more diversity in your microfauna __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

01-03-2007, 01:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
32Bit_Fish Sea Pen Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 345 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. Ok thx for the advice. one more question... sorry, it's a little off the topic. Do I need to have base rock in my tank? if so, why?

01-03-2007, 01:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
prow Tridacna maxima Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 4,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. no you dont need base rock. most use base rock to save money then colonize it with other seeded/colonized live rock. thats all.

01-03-2007, 02:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
prow Tridacna maxima Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 4,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. O-- BTW, everytime you buy a coral or fish there is a risk of introducing unwanted things. i know its not about LR but, i am just trying to encourage you to use a QT for any future additions once you get the tank all setup.

01-03-2007, 02:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. Since you're tank is 20 gallons... I would try to get the best possible quality of live rock available and pass on the base rock. Sometimes LFS's might not have much of a selection. Since you are not looking at a large amount... you might want to consider buying from an online reputable source. I don't have any personal experience with this company, but one of the ER doctors here at the hospital where I work purchased 200lbs from them and it's really nice rock. I keep trying to figure out how I can sneak some out of his tank when I visit. http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/ __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

01-03-2007, 02:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,786 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. Depending on where you are located you may be able to buy a piece or two from several separate reefers to get some diversity as well. Usually when buying on-line it is very expensive to buy small amounts. Your lfs may have some nice stuff though. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-03-2007, 02:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
32Bit_Fish Sea Pen Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 345 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. Thanks.. How would you tell if a piece of LR is in high quality or a junk? BTW, I meant uncured live rocks...

01-03-2007, 03:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. ..its all about managing the undesirables...you don't want crabs, mantis shrimp, fire worms, bubble or hair algae, aiptasia or dead/decomposing life attached to it ie: sponges/tunicates __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

01-03-2007, 03:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
prow Tridacna maxima Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 4,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. well aside from being very calcified and everything boozman said, it should also be very porous, less dense than the average.

01-03-2007, 07:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. You can get some good sized ruble pieces for cheap from various places, LFS, online, even ebay. This will give you a good mix of types and sizes.

01-03-2007, 08:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,258 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Mixing types of rocks for a small reef tank.. Playing the devils advocate. Mixing LR from two different oceans, is similar to putting an Arctic rock in say Antarctica. Sure it's cold in both places but the organisms that survive and coexist together in the arctic region are not found in the Antarctic and vice versa. Or expecting a Pacific species, like an anemone fish, to coexist with an Atlantic anemone. I think this is true of many of the species we bring into our homes, wether is be fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, (the list goes on) and insist that they coexist together. Then wonder why they aren't doing well. Sure, we are just talking about LR, but good quality LR harbors many species. It goes back to having a plan for your aquarium. If your plan is to mix LR from two different oceans and then study the interactions-that's great. But with a small ecosystem, and the beauty and fragility of our oceans, I recommend picking LR and organisms and species of invertebrates and fishes that come from that region. A Gulf of Mexico patch reef could be set up using the LR from TBSaltwater as JFJJr has suggested or some type or Red Sea or Pacific style system, a Clam lagoon or brackish system... At any rate good luck and happy reefing.

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