Converting from Limestone to Live Rock - How and What Type?

[dconyers]

Gents -

First, you guys have been absolutely great in helping a newbie(me) with questions. I would like to thank you for all the expert advice that you've provided. I have learned a great deal and while my original plans for improving my tank have change substantially based on your feedback, I have a high-level of confidence that the changes will work out for the best.

Now for my question - A number of you have highly recommended that I part ways with my limestone rock and instead install live rock in my tank (for biological filtration and as a way to add a hang-on skimmer in place of my current Emperor). I have re-prioritized my 'upgrade plan' for my tank and this is now the next item. At the same time, I plan to move my tank, so I will be completely breaking it down over this weekend. I currently only have two fish and they will be donated to a friend's tank in the interest of their welfare. I plan to keep all my sand, snails and crabs by placing them in a rubbermaid container while I move the physical tank. I plan to also salvage a large portion of my water in a trash can for the move.

My question is 'When/How should I add live rock?'. Can I get the tank completely rebuilt (sans limestone rock) and then add the live rock, or should my live rock 'pile' be created before the water is in the tank and then add the water?

Regardless of the answer, is it correct to presume that I can run with my emperor filter for flow and filtration until I purchase a Bak-Pak 2R?

Also, regarding live rock, because my tank has virtually nothing in it, what type of live rock would you recommend I purchase? I have seen a couple postings for 'dead live rock' for around $1-$2 per pound and was wondering if this was a smart way to go or if I should purchase something like Tim's live rock for $3.50 per pound? My eventual goal is to have a reef tank.

Many thanks in advance for any guidance that you may be able to provide - Doug.

[fuzz]

Doug,
If you do need base rock I have 1500lbs of Hawaiian coral that I am in the process of culturing. I have pieces from softball size to 40lb rocks, with plenty of nice holes. I am looking to get $1.75 lb for base rock. Let me know.

-Greg

[ratboy]

I agree that live rock is nicer and a better source of bio-filtration than limestone but if it has any color or growth on it I would use some of the nicer pieces and add live rock to it. My 55 reef at work is 75% central texas holey limestone (1 big arch piece) and is nearly completely covered with coraline, sponges, and misc worms and critters. I used this in my first tank and have always setup an additional tank after I got nicer live rock because I didnt have the heart to let it dry out .

http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_albumName=ratboy&id=55gal_reef&op= modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo .php

[dconyers]

Gents -
Thanks in advance for the stellar responses. Three questions I have that will help me better understand these answers:

1) What does it mean to have 'fully cured' live rock? What does 'curing' a live rock do and what is the general process to 'cure' live rock?
2) Is 'base rock' non-cured 'live rock' or something totally different? I suspect from the posts that the rock is compositionally identical, but I want to make sure I understand what is being posted.
3) If Tim's 'live rock' isn't fully cured, then is it 'base rock' or is there a third variation to confuse me even more?

I greatly appreciate that offers to sell different variations, and once I begin to better understand these variations, I will definetely work with club members to make these purchases.

I appreciate the insight of intermingling live rock with my current limestone, but it's a single 60+ lbs. piece and I'm dealing with a 42g hex tank. It's placed in the center of the tank and therefore I rarely see my fish because they prefer to hide behind it. It is unfortunate to have to get rid of it because it's just starting to have some coraline algae spots!

I really lost interest in this hobby when AQSS went out of business because I felt like I didn't have anywhere else to turn for sound information on the hobby. I'm really glad I found you guys!

[Triggerman]

my suggestion would to take a chisel and hammer to your 60# piece of of limestone and break it up. use just the good pieces and stack it with your live rock you buy on top of it so some life from the liverock will begin to encrust the limestone and in about 6-8 months it should just about be blended in and all look like a nice formation.

here's a short summary of live rock. cured and uncured is the same type of rock get fiji which is just about what everyone carries. uncured meaning it's coming straight from the ocean, to wholesaler, to retailer, then finally to you. during all this transit the rock might be full of life with crabs, worms, mussels, snails, etc., but you're going to experience a good amount of die off which can and will pollute your tank by creating a lg. amount of ammonia and nitrite from everything that might of died. so by buying fully cured rock the retailer or individual has recieved a lg. amount of rock and put it in a seperate holding tank with filtration/skimming and let the rock cycle like a brand new set-up would usually taking anywhere from 2-6 wks. depending on the quality of the rock and amount of die off.

[Nano_Steve]

hey doug welcome!

ive been in the hobby for about 7 months and i still consider myself a newbie as well but you're right, the info these guys give is phenomenol(sp?).

base rock, to answer some of your questions, is normally cured(meaning it has gone through its cycles of ammonia spikes and whatnot) but it does not look a pretty(lack of a better word). it is called base rock because normally it is the rock used to fill up the space between the good looking rock on top and the glass and sand. its more like a filler so you dont have to spend so much money on really pretty pieces of rock(since most places like tims can get you good deals on base rock)

the show rock is fully cured but usually comes from dead coral reefs so is mainly comprised of some really beautiful skeletons on which you can cement your coral fragments(frags). this is the type of rock work that you really want to focus on when making your tank purdy. this is usually shipped in from different places like fiji and the tonganese islands that is where you get the names for the different types of rock.

i have heard from other places that limestone will eventually deteriarate(sp?) putting alot of calcium and alkalinity into the water(for freshwater this is bad for business but can be very beneficial to saltwater if controlled properly).

besides that, there's not much more i know about live rock, hope this helps ya!

regards, steve