If you could start over: Live Rock or Dry?

[joshbryer]

I posed this question in my build thread, and I'm getting some response, but I thought I'd open it up to a wider audience.

With the goal of keeping a successful sps tank, if you could start over from scratch and build a new tank, would you use Dry rock or Live? Why? Cost should be ignored as a factor.


Thanks!

 

[phenom5]

I'd go with dry rock if I were to start over, and that's probably the route I'll go on future tanks.

For me cost is a big factor. Beyond that...Pest free, less of an impact on the reefs, easier to aquascape (because you can set it up, drill it, use acrylice rods/ PVC racks/ foam/ etc all while it's dry), and the shapes I've seen out of stuff like the BRS rock & Marco Rocks is fantastic.

 

[Reefphile]

Definitely dry rocks. 2 main of reasons:

1. All the unwanted pests in live rock (crabs, algae, etc.); and
2. It takes longer to cure live rock (even if purchased as "live rock").

In a couple months all dry rock will turn into live rock in your system. IMO, it's better to add what you want to add than to have to take out what you didn't intend to add to the system.

 

[Reefer Steve]

+1
All future tanks will be started with dead rock that I seed. I am more concerned about nutrients locked in the surface of the rock than anything.

 

[lolgranny]

I typically go LR, but it makes sense what these guys say. Although how do u "seed" dry rock?

 

[Mr. Brooks]

100% dry no question.

 

[jgrog76]

Done both. Dry is the way to go! I will never buy live rock again.

 

[SAZAMA]

dry rock for sculpting and epoxing every thing together...

 

[joshbryer]

Thanks for the responses! Keep them coming.... Has anyone had specific experiences that have motivated their answer?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

real liverock all the way.

save the dead dry rock for FOWLR's.

 

[wickedfish]

I would only add live pieces that have been with me a year or more that had to be added but dry all the way you can aquascape without all the mess.

 

[T Diddy]

I think we have a winner...

 

[buy_baff]

Dry for sure.

 

[lolgranny]

Im about to setup a new tank this week and im torn on what to do. My buddy just got some rock from DR.Mac and it looks amazing. Im going bare bottom on the new tank so i figure this might be the route to go just to ensure i can cement them all together..

hmmmm

 

[iap]

Setting up another tank right now using dry rock. I've got some marco look alike rock. Bout the acrylic rods and epoxy. What is the easesr way to drill it without it crumbling? Masonry bit or what?

 

[joshbryer]

Im about to setup a new tank this week and im torn on what to do. My buddy just got some rock from DR.Mac and it looks amazing. Im going bare bottom on the new tank so i figure this might be the route to go just to ensure i can cement them all together..

hmmmm

Yea, though I'm leaning towards dry rock for ease of aquascaping, lack of bad tempered hitchhikers and nuisance algae, I still am going back and forth due to biodiversity issues.

 

[JSeymour]

I just setup my newest tank with all diy rock. I'm so glad I did. No nutient issues. No hydroids, aiptasia, crabs, mantis shrimp, etc. I was a bit worried about biodiversity, so I added things from other tanks of mine as well as tanks from work, bacteria, coralline, mini turbos, those little white sponges, ball sponges, copepods, small bristleworms, mini serpent stars, pygmy conch, etc. The 5 lb. of chaeto I added helped alot too. I also added the water from my frozen foods for the first week as well as carbon dosed. The tank is barely a month old, and I have undetectable nitrates and phosphates, my alkalinity is stable, and it's stocked with numerous acros and a couple fish that get fed 3-5 times daily. Definitely the fastest reef I've cycled to date.

 

[reef_doug]

Dry rock 90% with a couple pcs of LR from an established tank, (inspect for pests & aiptasia), not uncured stuff.

 

[Felixc395]

I couldn't agree more with reef doug. Using both types is the best of both worlds. Using some liverock for biodiversity and live rock for aquascaping and no pests. It's the route that I'm going to go with my new 75 gallon.

 

[Zire]

Definitely dry rock, then just throw one pest free rock from a well established tank and potentially a little bit of live sand in and call it a day. Takes a little longer sure but no pests, cheaper and easier to work with.