Live Rock choices

[carb850]

I have finally got a tank, but I ended up with a 40 breeder instead of the 10 or 20H I had been talking about. Now, my 18 lbs of live rock is not even near enough. So, I'm looking at my options. I think I have it down to 2.



1) Get 25 lbs of Marco Rocks (25lbs or dry rock goes a long way). Cook them then seed them with the 18 lbs or rock I already have.

2) Get the freshest premium uncured live rock I can find.



What I do have on my side is time. It is going to take me awhile to purchase all of the other equipment I need so taking time to cure/cook/seed rock is not an issue. What would you guys suggest?



BTW, here are some links to photos of Marco Rocks for those that are not familiar with them.
http://www.marcorocks.com/
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1053883

 

[LtPiper]

If it's dry base rock it doesn't need to be cooked/cured. Just brush it off and put in the tank and seed it.

 

[carb850]

I believe it to be dry coral heads. Somewere I read that it should still be cured because of old death deep in the creaves.

I figure it would be so little that it might not hurt an established tank, but I figured cooking it will go ahead and clean it better and build up a supply of bacteria on it.

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10705910#post10705910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carb850
I believe it to be dry coral heads. Somewere I read that it should still be cured because of old death deep in the creaves.

Yep

 

[carb850]

Well, I'm now leaning more toward the uncured rock. I like the thoughts of getting more diversity and hopefully some cool hitch hikers. However, the decision could come down to available funds at the time. In which case the dried Fiji rocks win hands down

 

[carb850]

I went ahead and ordered 25 lbs or dried Fiji Rock from Marco Rocks. This should be enough to fill my tank, but I still might pick up some more uncured rock just for additional diversity. However, I will not make the call until I receive this shipment and see what they look like. Pics will follow.

I love the idea of getting what is equivalent to 50 lbs or rock for $69 shipped.

 

[firefish2020]

How is 25Lbs the equivalent to 50 Lbs just curious?

 

[rnhrtfan]

I looked at these rock too ron when setting up my tank, the theory is that with these rock having so many nooks and cranies (as our granfolks would say) that the surface area of 25 Lbs. of these rock would be equivalent to that of approx. 50lbs. of regular rock. surface area being the key here not the weight.

 

[carb850]

In addition to it being so porous, it is also because we are talking 'dry' rock. Unless your selling bricks, live rock you buy is weighted down with all the water it is soaked into it.

 

[firefish2020]

not that much is water weight but I do agree should be nice and poropus for you.

 

[carb850]

25 lbs. of Fiji rock arrived today from Marco.


Pick two is the rock flipped on it's other side. Note the piece front center, it has a really nice flat shelf on the one side. It would make a nice piece to drill and make it into a pedestal.

 

[phljess]

I have always been fond of Fiji rock. It seems much more porous than other rock sources. So you get a much larger rock for the instead of a smaller more dense rock, ie Florida rock or Caribea Sea base.

Btw, I also really like Tonga branch it is really cool looking.

 

[carb850]

I have not seen all that much Fiji in person, but based upon what little I have seen plus all of the pictures I have seen online this rock sold by Marco is way more intricate. I think it looks closer in shape to the few Marshall Islands pieces I have seen.

 

[firefish2020]

One piece there looks like MI but the rest not quite, looks more like Sulawisi. Fiji is a great rock for shape and color, it does not last long at the shop and I'm sure that that goes for all LFS around here. My tank is almost all Fiji with a hint of Tonga I like the combo well. The one at the shop is set up with Uaniva, Tonga and Fiji they all blend good.

 

[carb850]

Hijacking my own thread. I once saw a picture were a guy used Tonga branch in a way that looked like table legs with shelf rock on top. It was a neat effect that I have not seen duplicated.

 

[fishmon]

Carib sea has their new rock available now too. It looks really good.

 

[firefish2020]

I heard about it Jim, is it as good as the old RB?

 

[fishmon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10858867#post10858867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefish2020
I heard about it Jim, is it as good as the old RB?

More porous and much less dense pieces, very clean too. Pieces are footballish size from what I've seen, I like it better. The land of love has it in stock and on sale in the show book fyi.

 

[firefish2020]

I heard about it from Carol but had not seen it yet.
I'll check it out, thanks for the review