Rocks for the FOWLR aquarium

[charjump]

As you know I am converting my 55 gal. to a FOWLR tank. I was wondering if I could use lace rock for the tank when I convert? I have alot of lace rock I had bought when I kept african cichlids. I must have abot 50 - 60lbs. Enought to fill the back of the tank up and leave swimming room in the front. I would add the lace rock if possible and then add a few pieces of live rock to add some benefical bacteria. I just thought it would be a good idea to save money so I wouldn't have to but all that expensive live rock. Thanks for any replies.

[Justin_James]

I always mix lace with my live rock. It turns live after a few months anyways. It grows coraline algae really well too.

Go for it! It helps save the reefs too. I think everyone should use lace mixed with a little live rock to do their part in helping save the reefs from the devistating rock farming.

[charjump]

Sweet! I already have a rock then. I just saved a mess of cash. Thanks a bunch man.

[iglowce]

i should cuz live rock used to be dead anywayz. u can alwyays make dead rock "live"

[H20Boy]

I would recommend that you acquire a few pounds of rock rubble a@ LFS or a friend.
You can "seed" your live rock with coralline algae and accelerate the process using a product called "Purple Up" basically a highly concentrated formula comprised of calcium and a lot of trace elements that grow coralline algae like it's a weed! As for lighting you might check into a compact light fixture as you will need actinic lighting.

Additionally did you know that hair algae ect. will not take root on top of coralline algae thus the more coralline on your rocks means less maintenance in the long run not to mention coralline looks pretty darn cool.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-LIGHT-48-JEBO-260-POWER-COMPACT-W-FANS-LEGS_W0QQitemZ250018628430QQihZ015QQcategoryZ46314 QQtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZ

[carl_in_florida]

After a while you cannot tell the difference between the seed and the dead

[Dominuslive]

Lace rock is great, and like they said buy some LR. And I have found you don't need to use purple up, there is this cube they sell, ur lfs may have it, it basically does the same thing, only it disolves as fast as it is used by the aquarium, and for only 1.99. Where as Purple up costs about $20 a bottle, and the only way to tell if you are dosing right is to test for it. Also Purple up uses the "sugar" calcium, it is a quick short term fix, as opposed to using kalkwasser, which uses "whole wheat" calcium. (I hope you understand the analogy) Best of luck and let's see pics.