Base Rock

[RickMartin]

What is the name of the rock that is mined form old coral reefs in Utah?

[dew2loud1]

We have several things, one is LBTR, lake bonneville tufa rock, its actually not from reefs as lake bonneville was freshwater but was formed in the same way from calcium deposition its found only up north around salt lake

The other stuff you see all over in vegas and other places for sale is just called utah lace rock, or lace rock, its a combination of rock from volcanic activity that is pretty porous with interesting shapes,

I

[Narazbad]

I know BRS just got in another load of Pukani Dry Rock. I'm looking into ordering a few pounds from somewhere, and they're having a special with free shipping if you order the rock from them.

[tomgl]

Sounds like a good time for a group buy.

[RickMartin]

it free shipping at BRS until 7-31

[RickMartin]

I was thinking it was called Marco rock or something like that. Not interested in the lace rock. Anyone have a source for it down here?

[tomgl]

Don't they knock down the price on a group buy?

[RickMartin]

I'd rather handpick or have someone hand pick it for me as I am looking for extra large pieces

[Troylee]

Justin Taylor!!!! He has bomb base rock!!!;)

[iap]

Yep!! Wait for justintaylor to get back he was talking about getting some more of that Marco type rock in and selling it for 1$/lb

[RickMartin]

Where is he?

[Narazbad]

Justin got rid of all that base rock Lee, I want more of that stuff!

[Narazbad]

He's out of state for ROTC stuff.

[Troylee]

he will be back soon and can get it anytime..... ;)

[Narazbad]

Shoot, I've been on his butt for months to get me more of that stuff! :P

[RickMartin]

http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmineral/collecting/oolitic.htm

In the following article is more info on collecting Utah rock
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244

[dew2loud1]

the ootilithic sand is easy to come by, most of the nice LBTR has been picked through in the easy to get areas, I've never trecked up there to find it its still four hours from me, so about 6.5 or so for you guys. You really have to hunt around to find the more porous stuff. I think state law allows collecting 100-200 lbs for personal use.

[RickMartin]

I think using porous rock is a mistake anyway. All those holes or pores end up being detritus traps, and detritus is the enemy.

[five O]

I'm a fan of lace rock. I use it for my base rock for multiple reasons. It seems to come in shapes which just can't be found in other rocks. The second reason is it affordable. I use it with a mixture of other rocks, I just create my structure with lace rock since it seams to come in long flat peices then attach the figi/tonga to it. Once it's all covered in coral/alage it looks great. I know I does not offer the same benifets of other live rocks but I have a enough rock in my tank that it really does not make a difference.

[Adam]

I did a 6" sand bed in a 180 gallon with Utah oolitic sand and lots of Utah rock I collected myself. It was great stuff and once the rock was covered in algae, it looked identical to the store-bought live rock.

It saved me hundreds of dollars setting up my tank.

[Narazbad]

So anyone wanna take a trip up to Utah? :P

[RickMartin]

Here is some pictures of 100 lbs I picked up from BRS. Free shipping over 50#. I requested large pieces and they are all very large, hard to tell from pictures. These are for the big tank I have in the works. Will start a thread before too long.
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss209/vegaslineman/new%20tank/IMG_0839.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss209/vegaslineman/new%20tank/IMG_0840.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss209/vegaslineman/new%20tank/IMG_0842.jpg

[iap]

Nice looking rock. How big is the big tank?

[RickMartin]

Haven't ordered it yet. Just gathering equipment. It will be 96l x 36w x 24-30t

[Troylee]

looks like the same rock justin gets....

[five O]

No wait till October tho!

[Casper]

So is there nowhere local to harvest Utah or Tufa or Lace (or whatever else you want to call it) rock? We're in the middle of a rocky desert -- there's got to be something useful around here. Ideas?

[RickMartin]

There was a link somewhere to the Utah clubs forum with directions on where to go and such

[Justintaylor62]

Lee I can't get that rock anymore. I use to get it through my vendor when I was with Petland, and Brad(the owner) and I had a little falling out. The vendor won't sell to me directly either, I tried.