Rock for my Aquarium

[fishboy13]

I'm not new to saltwater but I have been out of it for about a year. I'm getting a 29 gallon Biocube HQI, I was wondering what kind of rock to go with. In all of my previous systems I have used nothing but Figi Live Rock. After talking to several people and doing some research I have come across BRS Dry Rock (BRS Dry Rock for Aquariums - English (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/products/eco-rox-fiji-dry-rock/brs-dry-rock)). I would just like to get some opinions from hobbists other than those doing the product reviews online.

[rcombs]

i dont have any yet, but i am a fan of tonga branch. larry and laurra have it in their tank, and i must say it looks awesome. search for their thread and they have some pics on the one that says larryandlaurras ocean. def a future addition to my tank.

[AJ :)]

Glad to hear you are getting a tank setup again!

Wish I had some info for you on the BRS rock.

What are you planning on keeping in there?

[MizTanks]

Personally (cause I have it in my tank) I love the dry Pukani that BRS has to offer. Porous, with ton's of nooks and crannys. It seems to coraline up very quick also. 9 months and mine is totally covered.

[fishboy13]

AJ- I'm thinking of having an anemone in there (not sure what kind yet but probably a BTA) I want to keep both hard corals and soft corals, maybe even a clam :P
Jamie- how is your population of amphipods and other little inverts in your tank? I really like the coloring of coraline algae so that is a plus. (Is your coraline just pink or does it have some of the purple and red included). Also when you started up your tank did you use some sort of start-up chemicals? I have a bottle of MicroBacter7 from Brightwell Aquatics that I could use to start up the natural bacteria in the system (Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 (http://www.marinedepot.com/Brightwell_Aquatics_MicroBacter7_Bacteria_Water_Tr eatments_Conditioners-Brightwell_Aquatics-BW01220-FIADWTBS-vi.html)). Sorry for all of the questions I just want to set this up right :D.

[MizTanks]

I cooked my rock for 2 weeks in a rubber made bin first, then added it to my tank. I seeded it using SeaChem Stability. Awesome product IMO. I have plenty of pods! My coraline is purple/red/green and pink.

4/2011
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j338/NanaReefer/IMG_0734.jpg

Today
http://i1080.photobucket.com/albums/j338/NanaReefer/IMG_1527.jpg

[thepanfish]

Hey Kev, I really like the BRS Pukani like I showed you, yo could cook it like miz suggested.
Also, I got you covered for the BTA ;)

[fishboy13]

WOW, Jamie that looks great! I think that I will definately have to go with the BRS dried rock. How long after the rock was "cooked" were you able to add fish? Thankfully I have plenty of rubbermade containers lol :P. My next question would be is this rock sold at any local LFS? (I'll probably have to do some hunting now)

[MizTanks]

2 weeks of daily testing-never had a spike of any kind. I moved everything from my 8g into the new tank. 3 fish-softies and LPS. Haven't lost a thing :) never a spike!
I went with the dry clean Pukani mainly because of the look, weight it being lighter then most LR and NO unwanted pest!!

[fishboy13]

Well sounds like that is the way to go, did you buy yours online or at a LFS?

[MizTanks]

Online from Bulk Reef Supply's.

[thepanfish]

You can only buy it through bulkreefsupply.com

[fishboy13]

How many pounds do you think I would need for a 29 gallon tank? Also how is the shape of the rock (do they try to package some interesting pieces?)

[fishboy13]

I called BRS this morning and just placed an order for 22lbs of Pukani Dry Rock :D.

[MizTanks]

I called BRS this morning and just placed an order for 22lbs of Pukani Dry Rock :D.

Very wise choice. Silly me ordered 30# without asking anyone. Needless to say I wound up giving some away to a friend :)

[fishboy13]

So my rock just arrived, it all looks great! My only problem is aquascaping lol! (I'm probably going to have to break up a piece or two just to make it easier)

[thepanfish]

I'd to a nice L shape along the back and left or right of the tank and a little island (piece of rock) in the opposite front corner. I saw a biocube scaled like that once, it had a lot of depth.

[AJ :)]

That was quick! Nice looking rock.

[jimsflies]

I've got a mix of rock in my biocube. I've got a couple pieces of "regular" live rock...I guess maybe Fiji not sure. But I also have a back wall of frag stations made by The Alternative Reef that I love. It really adds a lot of dimension to the tank I think. Plus gives me secure spots for frags on plugs. Then I also finished off my rock work with a couple pieces of tonga branch.

Here's a pic of mine right after setting it up:

http://www.captivereefs.com/jim/29biocube/2010-04-22-02.jpg

[fishboy13]

Thanks AJ, I was shocked the rock came in two days using ground shipping!
Jim, that looks really cool; I'm hoping to have my tank up and running by next Thursday (just need the tank to get here!)

[larryandlaura]

Nice pieces of rock. Now you need a few shelf pieces.

[MyNemesis]

BRS has a pretty good video on aquascaping ideas with the dried rock. You should check it out!

[MizTanks]

Very nice pieces :) your going to find this rock very easy to scape with as it is very easy to break. You can almost sculpt it by chipping away at it. I'm still doing this even after 9 months :) Have fun Fishboy!!

[fishboy13]

I started trying to figure something out, here's a link to my Tank Thread: http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members-reefs/fishboy13s-29-gallon-biocube-hqi-19636/#post136373