Can I use base rock instead of live rock?

You can mix or use either base rock or DIY rock (See the thread on Reef Central). A few pieces of live rock on top will seed the dead rocks and once it spreads, the effect will be similar to having all live rock. Doing base rock and DIY rock without any starters of live rock is like plowing and preparing a garden but not planting any seeds. A handful of seeds costs more than a handful of dirt. Sometimes pet shops will give you a discount on really small broken scraps of live rock. They shouldn't because some of the very coolest stuff shows up on this stuff, but since most people don't know that and only want the flashy (inarguably great but flashy) pieces, you may be the one to luck out. Remember in salt water there is a lot more going on than just a few kinds of microbes. There are many other marine organisms inside and on live rock that are important to nitrification. Those are what you get with live rock, not just an instant culture of nitrification bacteria. I find making your own base rock works well. You can make it quickly with crushed coral sand and a little fiberglass resin mixed together and shaped over a wax paper covered form. A quarter inch thick fake rock will be strong enough to hold real much heavier rocks on top. It's ready to use overnight without the month long chemical reaction cement based formulas require. DIY - search the threads on Reef Central for rock formulas. Or Tadega Koi and Water Gardens. Online live rock, Florida Live Rock. Unlike the Pacific stuff, this can have small living corals, barnacles, sometime maybe even live fish, crabs, or shrimp hidden inside it.

The problem with using ALL base rock is you have no bacteria to get the cycle established. What you can do is buy a heap of base rock and just some good quality live rock. As you cycle the tank the bacteria for the good live rock will colonise the "dead" base rock, and eventually convert it to all live rock. Just take it easy with your stocking at the beginning as it will take longer to build up a full level of cycle. Ian

What are you calling "base rock"? There is base live rock, aka "foundation rock", that is live rock that is white/light tan from being at the bottom of a rock pile and not getting any light, but it is still live and will color up once put under a light. It often is $1-$3 a pound. There is also base dry rock, which is not live, and would need seeding from live rock and take a lot longer to cycle the tank. Often this rock is about the same price as the low end live rock, and it a complete waste in my opinion. Some live foundation/base rock examples: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=393+2391&pcatid=2391 Getting the rock locally is a good bet, as you likely will have less die off and less time curing the rock. You can ask them about the foundation live rock too, as many times they can order you in some from their wholesaler. This is of course assuming you have a local fish store that isn't some large chain store.

What are you calling "base rock"? There is base live rock, aka "foundation rock", that is live rock that is white/light tan from being at the bottom of a rock pile and not getting any light, but it is still live and will color up once put under a light. It often is $1-$3 a pound. There is also base dry rock, which is not live, and would need seeding from live rock and take a lot longer to cycle the tank. Often this rock is about the same price as the low end live rock, and it a complete waste in my opinion. Some live foundation/base rock examples: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=393+2391&pcatid=2391 Getting the rock locally is a good bet, as you likely will have less die off and less time curing the rock. You can ask them about the foundation live rock too, as many times they can order you in some from their wholesaler. This is of course assuming you have a local fish store that isn't some large chain store.

The problem with using ALL base rock is you have no bacteria to get the cycle established. What you can do is buy a heap of base rock and just some good quality live rock. As you cycle the tank the bacteria for the good live rock will colonise the "dead" base rock, and eventually convert it to all live rock. Just take it easy with your stocking at the beginning as it will take longer to build up a full level of cycle. Ian