Marco Rocks

[Wes]

it's not very effective if not used in a reactor. Reactors are so cheap that its probably more cost efficient to buy a reactor vs. wasting money on phosban by throwing it in a bag in sump.

 

[SevTT]

How do I use it without a reactor? Do I just throw the bag in my sump?

Basically. That's what I do -- I make make little balls of GFO or phosphate media out of pantyhose, a few inches in diameter.

You could also make your own 'reactor' by routing your overflow through a larger diameter piece of PVC stuffed with these little balls.

 

[SevTT]

it's not very effective if not used in a reactor. Reactors are so cheap that its probably more cost efficient to buy a reactor vs. wasting money on phosban by throwing it in a bag in sump.

Generally true, unless your sump is set up in such a way that most of the water flows through one small area. If you can stuff the areas between baffles with balls of media, it works just about as well.

 

[Reeftanker3295]

Generally true, unless your sump is set up in such a way that most of the water flows through one small area. If you can stuff the areas between baffles with balls of media, it works just about as well.

Could I put the balls in my filter sock, or will the flow turn it into dust?

 

[SevTT]

Could I put the balls in my filter sock, or will the flow turn it into dust?

That'd work. It's still not as efficient as a reactor, so you should prolly run 2-3x as much as suggested. (It'll take about twice as long to truly deplete, though.)

 

[Reeftanker3295]

That's fine, as long as it helps a little. I will have a 15 gallon refugium so that should help.

 

[ming]

I have bought marco rocks long ago when they first came out. I had the issue of yellow water and an acidic smell back then when curing the rocks. Back then, it took 4+ months to finally cure it so it would stop making the water yellow.

I recently bought from them again for some small rocks, it looks pretty much like how OP pics are, and water didn't discolor. I'm guessing their origins are different since they first came out, but the shape and quality is just as good IMO with less curing time. I'm happy with marco rocks both times I bought overall.

 

[GreshamH]

I have bought marco rocks long ago when they first came out. I had the issue of yellow water and an acidic smell back then when curing the rocks. Back then, it took 4+ months to finally cure it so it would stop making the water yellow.

I recently bought from them again for some small rocks, it looks pretty much like how OP pics are, and water didn't discolor. I'm guessing their origins are different since they first came out, but the shape and quality is just as good IMO with less curing time. I'm happy with marco rocks both times I bought overall.

Correct. Marc only in what, the last year, started selling the Key Largo of which requires no curing as it's mined, not taken from the ocean. The stuff he used to sell, and still has not listed under the Key Largo name, does require curing.

 

[GreshamH]

Marco used to suggest this on his website. I agree with Warren, get yourself a tub and some water and skimmer and skim the heck out of the rock.

reason why he doesn't suggest that with his new Key Largo is in my post above.

 

[SevTT]

After cycling the rock, I'm in total agreement with Gresham: this rock is <i>clean</i>. (However, rinse off all the dust, first.) After two weeks after putting some shrimp in to rot, my ammonia was undetectable, my nitrates at 15ppm, and my PO4 at .01. So these rocks aren't phosphate or nitrate bombs.

And they're so nice and lacy. I almost wish they were less clean, though, so they'd grow more algae faster.

 

[Jimm0425]

I bought 50# of marcos Rock in January and had them 'curing' with about 3# of LR from my DT in a 40 gallon tub until last week when I added them to the DT. That also coincided with me using the new salifert PO4 test kit and finding my levels at .25. but the tank didn't yellow at all. Now I'm just waiting for my new GFO reactor from bulk reef to get here on Tuesday.