fake aquarium rock

reeferman00 · #1 12/31/2007, 09:45 PM

would this be ok in a saltwater aquarium?

bertoni · #2 12/31/2007, 10:06 PM

You'd need to post a link to the exact product. There's a lot of artificial rock products.

jadeguppy · #3 12/31/2007, 10:08 PM

Most of them should be okay, but there are much better alternatives. Fake rock doesn't offer the porous surface that aragonite based rocks often do. The additional surface area is important to allow for good bacteria growth and pod homes.

reeferman00 · #4 12/31/2007, 10:11 PM

theres a rock called texas holey rock its white and very nice! google it and let me know if it is ok
thanks guys

sruiz · #5 12/31/2007, 10:11 PM

I got a piece of fake rock for christmas from a friend but there is no way im putting that in my aquarium. It looks like its been painted and im not risking it. But like Bertoni says you should be more exact on the product.

bertoni · #6 12/31/2007, 10:13 PM

Limestone (the Texas Holey Rock) is likely safe, but it might not support much filtration. I can't be sure about that.

reeferman00 · #7 12/31/2007, 10:16 PM

do you guys know of any good fake cheaper rock?

bertoni · #8 12/31/2007, 10:58 PM

Dry base rock is available for $1.50 per lb plus shipping. What's your price range?

reeferman00 · #9 12/31/2007, 11:22 PM

i have a base im looking for pieces that are long and skinny for making caves and such but if live is better ill get that im looking to get at least 25 lbs. for under 100$

bertoni · #10 12/31/2007, 11:26 PM

I'd spring for the base rock, if the shapes were okay. I think dry base rock with shipping would be under $100 shipped easily, but I don't know about selecting shapes. I'm not sure about that in general, not having had the need.

reeferman00 · #11 12/31/2007, 11:29 PM

will that grow stuff on it? will i need to do the 1 month cure?
thanks for your help bertoni

bertoni · #12 12/31/2007, 11:31 PM

It'll act just like normal base rock. You could cure it for a month, or give it a strong bleach treatment, followed up with a dechlorinator. Since there nothing useful on it, all you'd need for the curing would be a tub and a pump. I'm not sure I'd bother with saltwater.

reeferman00 · #13 12/31/2007, 11:32 PM

so just put it in a tub with a powerhead for a few weeks?
when i put it in the tank will things grow?

bertoni · #14 12/31/2007, 11:34 PM

Well, it won't add any animals or coralline or the like to the system, but if you have some live rock, the dry rock will become colonized over time.

reeferman00 · #15 12/31/2007, 11:35 PM

alright do you know a site where i can find this?

bertoni · #16 12/31/2007, 11:35 PM

I've seen some for sale on marcorocks.com. I think some research on that vendor would be a good idea, and there are likely other vendors, too.

Justinandkrista · #17 01/01/2008, 01:49 AM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...9&pcatid=18449

I found this artificial live rock but it looks more expensive than live rock and i bet it would get covered with alge. I would buy the real stuff u will like the benifits but if u want fake this stuff looks realistic.

jamiep · #18 01/01/2008, 07:26 AM

Tufa rock is nice and porus! I'm using it seeded with some Live rock. It also contains ph buffer.

Racing1 · #19 01/01/2008, 08:28 AM

MarcoRock is pretty nice stuff. I just got 50lbs and 15lbs of rubble for $120.00....

Here are a couple of pics