LifeRock dry CaribSea or MarcoRock coralline?

[griss]

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

He states on his website they wrap the rock in saltwater soaked wrapping, them bubble wrap before putting into the styro box. So, the bacteria and coralline might be okay but, any other hitchhikers (like crabs, snails, etc) are unlikely to make it. I'm surprised he doesn't have options for overnight or priority shipping.

 

[DjPhato]

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.

Yup followed your suggestion, I am just afraid about the Australian rocks from AddictiveReefKeeping, sadly I read bad opinions about them but its probably too late now.

Do you guys have any suggestions about Australian Rocks seller?
Thanks

 

[griss]

@Reefing102 mentioned Eric Cohen at TankStop and LiveRocknReef upthread for Australian rock. I've never ordered from either and don't really know much about them.

 

[Reefing102]

@Reefing102 mentioned Eric Cohen at TankStop and LiveRocknReef upthread for Australian rock. I've never ordered from either and don't really know much about them.

There are those. I’ve never heard of any complaints about either but I also have no direct ordering experience with either. I have talked to Eric before though and he seemed straight forward. I have seen reviews where he FaceTimed with people to pick the rock they wanted.

 

[JCOLE]

Yup followed your suggestion, I am just afraid about the Australian rocks from AddictiveReefKeeping, sadly I read bad opinions about them but its probably too late now.

Do you guys have any suggestions about Australian Rocks seller?
Thanks

I haven't heard much about the Aussie Rocks. I would think seven days would also be bad on the rocks but I really couldn't say. I hope everything turns out okay. Bacteria, etc inside the rock should be fine. I would be worried about everything on the outside though at that timeframe. If it is a new tank then I think you should be fine adding them. If not, then I would probably cure those rocks if it takes that long to get to you.

 

[jcarlilesiu]

After a terrible majano take over resulting in a tank tear down, I elected to use all dry rock.

I bought the LifeRock produced and really like it.

 

[DjPhato]

Guys thank you so much for all your suggestions! I finally did buy rocks from multiple sources and I am very happy with them! I took pics so that this post might be useful for others. I did get:

10lb manmade live rocks from MarcoRock - beautiful rocks, lots of life

40lb manmade live rocks from KP aquatics - beautiful as much or even better and full of life

15lb natural premium australia live rocks from TankStop - very nice owner, he video called me and let me select the rocks, they are nice and full of live, however are a bit fragile and should be packed a bit better. In this particular batch many of them were too young in my opinion, almost just coral skeleton that were in water for not long enough to become rock, I choose those that looked more “rocky” and supposedly more functional in terms of bacterial growth (i think).

2-3 lb of manmade dry rocks coralline arches from Caribsea

Tank started today

 

[Reefing102]

That’s awesome! Just so you’re aware, my understanding is the Australian is real rock, but due to regulations, can only be already broken pieces found loose around the reef. Given that and I don’t know how recent the rock is, my guess is it’s probably standard shipping from Australia (probably 3-5+ days) plus whatever tank time so that may have allowed significantly more die off than say the fresh collected KP or relatively fresh (if I’m not mistaken) Marco.

 

[DjPhato]

That’s awesome! Just so you’re aware, my understanding is the Australian is real rock, but due to regulations, can only be already broken pieces found loose around the reef. Given that and I don’t know how recent the rock is, my guess is it’s probably standard shipping from Australia (probably 3-5+ days) plus whatever tank time so that may have allowed significantly more die off than say the fresh collected KP or relatively fresh (if I’m not mistaken) Marco.

Yeah, that’s right. I understand about the more die off, but i was more concerned about the type of rock, but your explanation makes totally sense and around a reef you find relatively recent dead corals more easily than old dead corals that became rocks over the years.
However most were more “rock looking” so I am confident they have plenty of porous to be colonised by bacteria.

 

[griss]

Looks great, can’t wait to see the aquascape.

 

[shred5]

Guys thank you so much for all your suggestions! I finally did buy rocks from multiple sources and I am very happy with them! I took pics so that this post might be useful for others. I did get:

10lb manmade live rocks from MarcoRock - beautiful rocks, lots of life

40lb manmade live rocks from KP aquatics - beautiful as much or even better and full of life

15lb natural premium australia live rocks from TankStop - very nice owner, he video called me and let me select the rocks, they are nice and full of live, however are a bit fragile and should be packed a bit better. In this particular batch many of them were too young in my opinion, almost just coral skeleton that were in water for not long enough to become rock, I choose those that looked more “rocky” and supposedly more functional in terms of bacterial growth (i think).

2-3 lb of manmade dry rocks coralline arches from Caribsea

Tank started today

Australian rock look nice, I miss nice light rock with interesting shape. While allot of the rock from Caribbean has more life, the shapes and weight is as not ideal.

But there is a huge difference in price but a little is made up in the fact Australian rock it is lighter.

A mix is probably good to keep prices down.