has any one on here tried Caribbean live rock? I have mostly fuji rock now and would like to try something differant that is not too expensive. I was looking at the caribbean rock from either Dr fosters or from international marine. is the rock the same from both suppliers? any one who has tried this stuff before let me know. so I can deside if it is worth trying. thanks. Jason
Caribbean rock any good?
- Thread starter jasonkola
- Start date
dunedinbruin
New member
No complaints with my Caribbean LR from Fosters/Smith [Etropicals to be precise]. I admit that I didn't "scrub" the LR on when I used it to cycle my tank. Actually it didn't matter because everthing died off anyways [Halimeda, Kelp, Sponges, coraline algae, etc.] It's been 2months now and the coraline algae is starting to grow back nicely. Some red, green etc. I ordered 60 lbs and Fedex listed the weight as 74 lbs. I assure you the styrafoam box didn't weigh 14 lbs!
The pieces varied in size with 2 very large flat pieces at least 20" x 4" x 2" [rather flat actually]. A couple were obviously ancient lettuce coral heads in appearance. Finally, about 10% were "rubble." No bristle worms, no aptasia!
Lastly, I would check out Etropicals.com [Fosters and Smith's subsidiary-there's a link/button on the right side of liveaquaria.com]. The prices are the same however they offer a greater selection of shipping weights of the same rock.
P.s. maybe it was a coincidence but I really didn't notice too many "critters" in the LR until I added an order of Cheatomorpha to the sump a couple weeks ago. Now the tank has population of tiny with pods.
The pieces varied in size with 2 very large flat pieces at least 20" x 4" x 2" [rather flat actually]. A couple were obviously ancient lettuce coral heads in appearance. Finally, about 10% were "rubble." No bristle worms, no aptasia!
Lastly, I would check out Etropicals.com [Fosters and Smith's subsidiary-there's a link/button on the right side of liveaquaria.com]. The prices are the same however they offer a greater selection of shipping weights of the same rock.
P.s. maybe it was a coincidence but I really didn't notice too many "critters" in the LR until I added an order of Cheatomorpha to the sump a couple weeks ago. Now the tank has population of tiny with pods.
I ordered 24lbs. of Tonga branch from Drs. Foster and Smith (Live Aquaria) and I ended up getting mostly small pieces. I called them and told them what I got and I swear they probably didn't even blink before they started list off what they could do to make it right. I must say, their customer service really IS customer service! The next day, they sent me a 30lb. piece of show rock that is just beautiful! I have checked out International Marine's website and have even talked to Gary. Call it a feeling, but I'd go with Live Aquaria first every time.
msudawgs56
Go Dawgs!
go with Dr Foster & Smith!!! You will not be disappointed...!! I just received 30 lbs of the premium Lalo live rock...simply beautiful!!!!
that Lalo rock looks good to me too. I emailed. Dr Foster & Smith and asked about sizes and they said I got what was in the box and if it was too big I could break it up with a chisel. the size range I am looking for is in the 6 to 8 inch range becouse my tank is only 12 inches across. any thing 10 inches and bigger wont work vary well. oh well I am still undesided. so how did that Lalo rock look. that stuff looks good. but a little more expencive. I also like the look of that Melanesian rock too. its even more expencive. any one else out there with any experience with that caribbean rock from IM or Dr fosters or know of some good cheaper rock chime in. thanks.
jpitch
Premium Member
I ordered 40lbs of carribean lr from Dr fosters. In general I'm happy with the size selection. However, if you intend to use it as a "main body" type rock you will wind up with a tough task of making it look like a natural setting. I received a little more flat pieces than I'd would've liked causing a problem of body to the structure. There was very little coralline growth on mine but I wasn't concerned with that since I cycled my tank with this uncured rock and just about everything died. The good thing about this rock, since a lot of it is flat is I have plenty of level surfaces for my corals. If I were to give a recommendation, and I don't usually dole out advice, I'd use a fiji type base fr the body and use this carribean in a sparing quantity to change the outer shape. At least, hindsight would have led me in that direction. I didn't want what everone had either. Hope this helped.
go to here for info on imf.http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=6743612#post6743612
