South Seas Base Rock 40lb (18kg)
Pack size
40 lb (18 kg) box
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Part no.
CS0370
South Seas Base Rock 40lb (18kg)
The bulk foundation you build the good-looking rock on top of. CaribSea South Seas Base Rock is an 18 kg (40 lb) box of natural, weathered limestone with heavy micro and macro porosity from the erosion process that formed it. It is dry, not live, and it is not meant to be the star of the aquascape - it is a cost-effective way to fill the volume behind and beneath display-grade rock such as Life Rock, so you are not paying premium prices for structure nobody will ever see.
Key features
- Naturally weathered porosity - erosion has carved nooks, crannies and channels through each piece, giving bacteria plenty of surface area once the rock is established.
- Limestone based - the same calcium carbonate family as aragonite, so it buffers pH and carbonate hardness upward, useful in reef tanks and in hard-water African cichlid setups alike.
- Architectural natural shapes - pieces average 15 to 36 cm (6 to 14 in) and carry the irregular forms natural weathering produces, good for interlocking a stable base structure.
- Not reef-harvested - it is quarried limestone rather than rock pulled from a living reef, so it carries none of the environmental cost of wild live rock.
Specifications
| Pack size | 40 lb (18 kg) box |
|---|---|
| Piece size | Approximately 15 to 36 cm (6 to 14 in) each |
| Material | Natural weathered limestone, dry base rock |
| Porosity | Extensive micro and macro porosity from natural erosion |
| Biology at purchase | None - dry rock, no bacteria or organisms shipped |
| Effect on water | Buffers pH and carbonate hardness upward |
| Rinsing/soaking | Required - soak and rinse thoroughly before placing in the display |
| Water type | Marine and freshwater - reef, FOWLR and hard-water cichlid tanks |
| Supplier code | CS0370 |
Each piece is a unique natural shape and colour, so what arrives will vary from the product photo in exact form even though the overall character matches.
Preparing it for the tank
Soak the rock in fresh water before it goes anywhere near your display, then rinse thoroughly to clear dust and loose grit. As dry, uncured rock it also needs a standard curing and cycling period once it is in a marine system, the same as any bare dry rock - budget several weeks before adding livestock.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for: the foundation layer of a reef aquascape, saltwater fish-only tanks, and freshwater Rift Lake or Central American cichlid tanks that want harder, more alkaline water.
Not suitable for: soft-water, planted or blackwater freshwater setups, or anywhere you specifically do not want pH pushed upward. It is also not sold as a display-grade rock - if the visible structure needs to look finished, budget for Life Rock Shelf Rock or a similar display piece on top of this base.
Goes well with
- CaribSea Life Rock Shelf Rock - the display-grade shelf rock this base is built to sit under.
- CaribSea South Seas Flatz - flat sliced panels from the same South Seas family for ledges and coral mounting higher up the scape.
Warranty and delivery
CaribSea does not publish a warranty term for its rock. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law apply regardless. The box weighs 18 kg, so factor freight into the order if you are buying several boxes for a full base layer.
Common questions
Is this live rock?
No. It is dry base rock with no bacteria or organisms included. It needs the standard soak, rinse and cycling process before it can support livestock.
Why would I buy base rock instead of display rock everywhere?
Base rock is cheaper per kilogram because it is not selected for looks. Using it to fill the hidden bulk of an aquascape and reserving display rock like Life Rock for the visible surfaces gets the same finished look for less.
Will it raise my pH?
Yes, as limestone it buffers pH and carbonate hardness upward, which suits reef tanks and hard-water cichlid tanks but is the wrong choice for soft, acidic freshwater setups.
Can I use it in a freshwater aquarium?
Yes, specifically for African Rift Lake and Central American cichlid tanks that want hard, alkaline water. It is the wrong choice for planted or soft-water freshwater tanks.
