How to build the base of the reef?

[Pete Harcoff]

I'm wondering what is the best way to build the base of the reef. Should I put the base rock in first, then the sand? Or put in the sand, then the rock? Or some sand, then rock, then more sand?

Or does it even matter?

Also, is using tufa rock for the base a good idea? It's far cheaper than using live rock and I'd rather not break the bank on LR if I don't have to.

[bertoni]

You can stand the rock on some PVC tubing, if you want, and then add sand. I just put the rock on the sand for small tanks, but that might not be appropriate for larger tanks.

I wouldn't use the tufa rock because I worry about it leaching metals, etc. There's a lot of base rock choices and synthetic equivalents that are safer, IMO.