Is this the exciting future of Live Rock? Must See!!!

[CuzzA]

I went live Pukani. This was before seeing Walt's rock. Which is a ocean magnet! Here's a sneak peak mock up of my scape. Just waiting for some decent weather to get it out in the Gulf. We've been getting hammered with thunderstorms everyday all day for the last couple weeks.

Some info on my aquascape... The overhang will conceal an int/ext c2c overflow with a bean drain. It will also have a shadow box background. The tall left side of the rock will hide my returns and automatic artemia feeder and the bean drains will be hidden by faux rock in the shadow box. I made the faux tabling shelf rocks out of Portland cement, sand and crushed rock. I also hollowed out the bottoms of the big Pukani rocks in an effort to create more territory for fish as I intend on being heavily stocked.

I'm going to great length to conceal any and all equipment, including powerheads (2 RW20's on either side simulating the tidal schedule and maybe 2 RW15's if needed). The only thing you will see is the outputs from 4x sea swirls at the water line.

A quick tip: Don't toss your tank crating! This has been the perfect tank work bench and I can beat the hell out of it knowing it'll get tossed when I'm done. I cut the bench to the same size as my tank.

 

[Hitch08]

Please post it for us! I'd love to see more of this rock.

I will certainly do that. Last week, I traded several emails with Richard. I let him know where my tank is as far as cycling. He asked if I added the sand which I purchased elsewhere - I had not. I was following the suggestion of some on here to add sand after you place the rock.

In any event, he suggested that I add some of that sand, wait a week and then put in my order.

Later this week I'll place an order for delivery the following week. I'll probably get "The Package" for a 35-50 gallon tank, as I already have about 100 pounds of cycled dead rock.

 

[Devaji108]

Hey Cuzza,
how did your open water cert. go?
did you every get those rocks vids shapes your where talking about of the shelfs branches etc. just curious about to order this week or the next and would like to see all of what you guys have.

Oh on a side note how much do LS do you you reefers out there recommend I "seed" my special grade ocean floor substrate with? I was thinking 1 to 2 # for a 40br. don't wait to much as I really like the substrate I have just some life to kick start it.
thoughts?

 

[CuzzA]

Yo Devaji,

Class work is done. I dive Saturday and Sunday. Will be officially certified Sunday. Then I can get down on Richards reef and take some glorious video. While the Gulf Lander is great for checking out new fishing locations, it's rather cumbersome to try and take quality video of a reef in the blind.

As for the sand, I would say 2-4 pounds would be good if you're looking to get a decent amount of critters. Richard would know best.

 

[Devaji108]

thanks brother!
glad your diving this weekend. just a warning it's addictive.....haha

 

[cambo123]

I got my 2.1 in today. This stuff is legit and honestly looks awesome. It is extremely easy to scape with and I was able to get a setup of my liking within 20 min. Really, really nice looking rock. Covered in everything you could imagine. Literally moments after hitting the water I you could find very tiny shrimps, crabs, and snails. Will post pics this weekend.

 

[Devaji108]

nice! I look forward to seeing it. and more so getting some in my tank.

 

[JaySchulz]

I am coming back into the hobby currently and I have been the research stages of my build. A lot of new products since my last tank. Reef rock 2.0 & 2.1 have been at the top of my list for the rock I plan on using. But I do have a few questions that hopefully you guys can answer.
1) the pics of the rock that is posted by the OP on page 1 look filled with purple coralline. But the pics of other harvested rock in some of the following pages does not appear to have anywhere near the purple coralline. Is this due to the lights I'm in the OP's tank?

2) in the video that's posted one page 1, the artificial rock that The Fijians are making are dropped into a lagoon in Fiji. Yet it appears that TBS is actually letting this culture in Florida. In confused as to the difference?

3) my tank has been ordered and won't be here for another 5 weeks. If I buy any of the 2.1, how long is the average curing time since this is an artifiacial rock and should have zero die off? My biggest concern is leached phosphates.

4) my tank will be a 200 gallon 72"x30"x21". How many lbs do you recommend? I don't plan on a heavily rock filled scape nor do I plan on a minimalist scape. Somewhere in the middle. I was thinking 150 lbs. 100lbs being 2.1 and 50lbs being live.

5) I can buy the 2.1 from you as well?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[CuzzA]

It's official... Certified open water. Next will be some dives on Richard's Tampa Bay Saltwater aquaculture site and then Nitrox and Advanced Open Water.

 

[saf1]

Grats. I remember my certification, fun day. Looks like you had good visibility and I can only imagine that the water was like bathwater.

 

[CuzzA]

Thank you. Yes, it was definitely a lot of fun. This was a fresh water spring called Blue Grotto so visibility was crystal clear, temperature however definitely wasn't bath water. 72 degrees year round. Although for some people in parts of the world that may be considered bath water. Lol

This place was pretty cool. All brand new ammenities and the cavern has an air bell which was a neat experience as you can remove your air, breath and talk at 30 feet deep. The life there includes a lot of fish of several species including koi fish plus a soft shell turtle named Virgil.

http://www.divebluegrotto.com/index.php/the-blue-grotto

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i8olsLXtR_U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Our first dive was at a location down the street called Devil's Den. The formation of this site is really unique and worth the experience, however, it is dimly lit, entry and exit is difficult if there's a lot of people and it's not as open as Blue Grotto, but still very cool. http://www.devilsden.com/DevilsDenScubaHome.php

 

[CuzzA]

I am coming back into the hobby currently and I have been the research stages of my build. A lot of new products since my last tank. Reef rock 2.0 & 2.1 have been at the top of my list for the rock I plan on using. But I do have a few questions that hopefully you guys can answer.
1) the pics of the rock that is posted by the OP on page 1 look filled with purple coralline. But the pics of other harvested rock in some of the following pages does not appear to have anywhere near the purple coralline. Is this due to the lights I'm in the OP's tank?

The 2.1 rock is 100% purple. So any areas void of life are going to look like coraline algae. Eventually any rock will be covered in coraline.

2) in the video that's posted one page 1, the artificial rock that The Fijians are making are dropped into a lagoon in Fiji. Yet it appears that TBS is actually letting this culture in Florida. In confused as to the difference?

Walt Smith cultures his 2.1 rock in Fiji and Tampa Bay Saltwater cultures Walt Smith's 2.1 rock in the Gulf of Mexico (Among other types of rock). Both are live rock from the ocean, however, logic tells me Walt Smith's rock from TBS is less expensive and has relatively no die off due to the fact an order placed through TBS will be shipped via air, submerged in water and arriving typically within 24 hours.

3) my tank has been ordered and won't be here for another 5 weeks. If I buy any of the 2.1, how long is the average curing time since this is an artifiacial rock and should have zero die off? My biggest concern is leached phosphates.

You should not experience excessive phosphates as the rock was never fossilized or live prior to being cultured. There is no curing time. It's recommended to wait a week or two to let everything settle down before adding livestock. There may be a slight presence of ammonia, but it is often quickly processed by the already present bacteria.

4) my tank will be a 200 gallon 72"x30"x21". How many lbs do you recommend? I don't plan on a heavily rock filled scape nor do I plan on a minimalist scape. Somewhere in the middle. I was thinking 150 lbs. 100lbs being 2.1 and 50lbs being live.

150 lbs. will probably achieve your goal. However, I would draw a little diagram of what you want your aquascape to look like, including dimensions and send it to Richard. He's very good about getting you what you need.

5) I can buy the 2.1 from you as well?

www.tampabaysaltwater.com

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[liverock]

Finally !!!!

Finally !!!!

Well...for the first time in weeks, the sun is shining!:bounce3::bounce3::bounce3:

We had record setting rains....Tampa pretty much underwater....there was fish swimming around on the roads here...


Going to give it a few days to clear up from all the rain runoff.....and go diving later this week...

Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com :lolspin:

 

[toothybugs]

Finally put my order in tonight. I'm finishing my desktop system off and diversifying my 40B at home which was largely dry rock or LFS cured.

I am going to be extremely excited and fidgety for the next couple days.

 

[nerose]

VERY excited about thia. I was just getting ready to beg my husband for a "vacation" to FL so I good pick up LR. With this I save the money and time on gas and I can order all that I need. Yippee!!!

 

[liverock]

Diving 8/6/15..started real eary this morning...

Diving 8/6/15..started real eary this morning...

My truck decided to start going off this morning at 2:30 am....alarm went off...and I have a loud one...out of bed...deactivate alarm and tried to go back to sleep as had to get up at 5am to go dive today....then at 4:30 am...it goes off again..GOT TO FIX THIS.......I give up....up at at 'em early.

off to the boat ramp...where CuzzA met me, as he had just been certified to dive last weekend.

All shiny new equipment loaded on the boat and off we go...beautiful morning



heading out to the site...




Now this is only his third dive after taking classes in small crystal clear springs...getting suited up..



Looking all confident and spiffy in that new equipment


and over the side he went. Pretty good for a first open water dive in the deep blue gulf...well not so blue as today after two weeks of relentless rains...he hit the bottom to find one foot of viability...MAYBE....

swam around a while..did not get lost...and then decided..he had enough fun for the day....so was my turn to go down...was less than one foot of viability...terrible..SOON AS I PICK UP A ROCK zero VIS....but endeavor to persevere ......lol



amazing rock today after a two tank dive





got to hand it to CuzzA....takes a lot of courage to jump into the gulf with conditions like that for your first open water dive...many more to come!

Tons of rock in stock...ready for your tank!

Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com :spin1::spin1::spin1:

 

[CuzzA]

Richard, I have to hand it to you. Zero vis and your picking out gorgeous rock like a boss!!! I'm thinking to myself, how the hell does he even know where he's going as I watch his surface bubbles cruise around the site.

I must say, my adrenaline was elevated before I went in. But even with no vis I felt pretty comfortable down there. I can only imagine what it will be like when the water is clear. One thing is for sure, the fish swarm you down there, just waiting for you to turn over a rock and grab a snack.

Whoever placed there orders is in for a treat. I've never seen such narly looking sponges and tunicates. Incredible.

 

[Wills612]

Looks like I ordered at the right time. Can't wait to see this stuff in person.

 

[d2mini]

What's scary in the zero vis.... is when that huge Jew Fish starts barking! :eek1:

 

[Aframomum]

CuzzA,

Congrats on your certification and a great first OW dive!

Well done and welcome to a whole new world - ocean diving is much different then spring diving as you just found out. Ocean you get to deal with currents, depth, and the occasional predatory fish, not to mention fishing lines sometimes - good to see you had a blade on you. In future dives may want to practice handling your blade so you get a feel for using it for when you'll really need it. How was the current and what depth did you go?

Rich,

Glad we had a nice day today to finally do some drying out. Hope your street fish are heading back to their homes in the gulf. Hope you get your truck fixed soon - those 2am mornings are going to get old real quick!

Mark