LifeRock dry CaribSea or MarcoRock coralline?

[DjPhato]

Hi all, until I was actively reefing 6-7 years ago almost nobody was using artificial dry rocks, now it seems the common concept (its actually a very good thing for keeping the reefs intact).
Any suggestions about which product is the best in terms of porosity and natural look? CaribSea or MarcoRocks? Any other?
Could you post here some pics of your rocks so that I can get an idea on how they look like?
How long will be the cycling time adding roughly 1lb per Gal?

Thanks

 

[griss]

I personally miss the great rock we had in the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s. Fiji, Tonga, Marshall Island, Kaelini, Vanuatu, etc…all amazing rock. You’d always get corals, inverts and sometimes the occasional fish.

That said, my base rock originally came from Reef Rocks which is no longer in business. I *think* Reef Cleaners took over.

If I was starting over, and money wasn’t an issue, I wouldn’t use dry rock at all. I’d use a mix of KP Aquatics base and premium rock, Tampa Bay Saltwater rock and a sprinkling of Australian rock.

I’ve got a tub or two of reef rocks in the basement. If I remember, I’ll open them up and post some pics tomorrow.

 

[griss]

To add, if someone wants to start with a base of dry rock, I highly recommend adding some live rock from one or more of the sources mentioned above.

 

[DjPhato]

So true, you will miss all those small creatures that suddenly see appearing from nowhere.
So its still possible to get live rocks from the ocean?
Which company should I go for?
Tampa is close due to the hurricane
KP aquatic is 20$/lb or australian rocks from which company?
How much dry and live, 1:1?

 

[griss]

As much as I hate to say it, I’ve never gotten rock from Tampa Bay. I need to remedy that…they have a great reputation.

I do have KP premium rock and it reminded me very much of the South Pacific rock we got back in the day in terms of life.

Aussie rock I’ve not had because it’s $25 plus shipping. All the places that offer it seem to charge the same price. This Guy seems to have a good reputation, again, I have no personal experience with this vendor.

If money is no object, I’d do 1:1 ratio of someone’s live base rock to thier premium rock. Or, if that’s not feasible, 1:1 dry base to live rock.

 

[Reefing102]

While I’ve never ordered from him, I’ve heard Eric Cohen at TankStop is fantastic to deal with regarding Australian Live Rock. Going so far at times to FaceTime with you so you can virtually select your pieces.

That said, there’s also LiveRocknReef. I know they’ve been around for a while and offer Australian and Walt Smith Fiji (Aquacultured in Fiji) in addition to Gulf rock. Again though, I’ve never ordered from them, but when I spoke with them about a different product they were responsive and polite.

In addition to Tampa Bay and KP, there’s also Salty Bottom Reef Company and Gulf Live Rock that offer gulf area aquacultured live rock. I’ve only ever ordered from KP.

 

[DjPhato]

Thank you so much guys, this is truly helpful! I would absolutely love to see pictures of these rocks from anyone that has them, so difficult to order something so expensive and so crucial for your tank without choosing it in person.

 

[griss]

I don’t have any pics from when I first got the KP rock but here’s a recent one. I’ll try to post more later when the lights come on.

 

[griss]

A bit hard to get pics of just the rock when I have corals encrusting everywhere and a large LTA in the middle but, here’s some pics. The Porites coral actually was growing on the rock when it arrived here.

 

[Reefing102]

So for me, I have mostly KPs starter rock. The 10lbs of premium to me wasn’t worth the increase in cost but YMMV. First images are the starter rock (40lbs).

Hitchhikers on the starter:

(Curley Que anemone, not an Aiptasia)

Full Tank Shot of the 40lbs in my 65

 

[Reefing102]

I don’t have many pics of the premium but here’s what I could find (mostly hitchhikers pics)

 

[shred5]

Walt Smith Fiji live rock is coming in again and is a great alternative. Not as expensive.
This is a manmade rock left in the ocean.
I have only seen pics and lots of life.
It is the same rock that used to come in all the time.

Walt is back sending corals and Rock. Fiji reopened to the USA a little while back.

 

[JCOLE]

Thank you so much guys, this is truly helpful! I would absolutely love to see pictures of these rocks from anyone that has them, so difficult to order something so expensive and so crucial for your tank without choosing it in person.

I recently received 20lbs of Live rock from Marco Rocks and 20lbs of base KP aquatics. Both rocks were nice but honestly, the KP base looked similar if not better and cheaper than the Marco live rock. I would order from both again but would choose KP if I had to choose.

I mixed the live rock in with my dry rock scape.

From KP

From Marco

 

[shred5]

I recently received 20lbs of Live rock from Marco Rocks and 20lbs of base KP aquatics. Both rocks were nice but honestly, the KP base looked similar if not better and cheaper than the Marco live rock. I would order from both again but would choose KP if I had to choose.

I mixed the live rock in with my dry rock scape.

From KP

View attachment 32406883View attachment 32406884View attachment 32406885View attachment 32406886View attachment 32406887View attachment 32406888

From Marco

View attachment 32406889View attachment 32406890View attachment 32406891View attachment 32406892

Any pics of the marco rock live?

I believe those are not done in the ocean and in vats so they can control the pests. I would imagine it is pretty bare rocks and mainly bacteria.


That KP rock has great coraline coverage. Not allot of sponge growth and looks like most of the sponge growth is dead. That is excelnt rock for base rock. That base rock is better than most premium.

 

[JCOLE]

Any pics of the marco rock live?

I believe those are not done in the ocean and in vats so they can control the pests. I would imagine it is pretty bare rocks and mainly bacteria.


That KP rock has great coraline coverage. Not allot of sponge growth and looks like most of the sponge growth is dead. That is excelnt rock for base rock. That base rock is better than most premium.

Yes. The first 5 pictures are from KP and the last 4 are from Marco. I talked to Joe and he said they are in the ocean for a year or so and then get moved to vats so they can monitor for pests, etc.

Besides a couple pieces of bubble algae, I didn't find any pests on both sets of rock.

 

[shred5]

Yes. The first 5 pictures are from KP and the last 4 are from Marco. I talked to Joe and he said they are in the ocean for a year or so and then get moved to vats so they can monitor for pests, etc.

Besides a couple pieces of bubble algae, I didn't find any pests on both sets of rock.

AH I missed that... Wow Marco looks spectacular. The orange coralline is nice. Might be a alternative for those who are afraid of pest.

Allot of pest on rock from the ocean can be seasonal too..

 

[DjPhato]

Guys thank you so much for those pictures, is exactly what i was looking for. KP aquatics look really how I remembered from 7-8 years ago in Italy, mostly fiji and we also had Lombok (blue inside and more flat, amazing).

 

[DjPhato]

Update: I did buy 10lb from MarcoRocks and received them with ON shipping, see pictures attached, beautiful and full of living creatures. Waiting for 40lb from KP

 

[DjPhato]

Unfortunately I also ordered 10lb of Australian live rocks from addictivereefkeeping
And apparently (despite the high cost) they ship them via UPS ground (7days probably) so I think they will not live anymore when they reach me in Boston

 

[JCOLE]

Update: I did buy 10lb from MarcoRocks and received them with ON shipping, see pictures attached, beautiful and full of living creatures. Waiting for 40lb from KP

Looks good. The Marco looked good but I did like the KP a little better. The KP had more life on it. I too got 40 lbs. You will not be disappointed!!! Both rocks come from the same area as well.