Live Rock (howdy, I'm back ...)

[fishinchick]

So ... I'm back.

We moved to a bigger house (2x the size of the old one) and the very first thing we did was put the 55 gal starfire aquarium in the heart of the house. Since theres nothing uglier than an empty tank sitting there on the stand, it needs to get going.

We literally moved in over the three day weekend and our last load was Monday afternoon. Last night I looked at Aquaman who had not even completely changed out of his work clothes and I said
"You know, my Mom is coming to visit in two weeks and I'd really like to have this tank at least cycling. Think we can do this?" and woudln't you know, he lit up like I stuck his finger in a light socket and he's busily putting everything together. LOL It was almost a gauntlet thrown to the ground before him.

Married reefing couples are kinda dangerous. Matter of fact, he just headed toward the garage ... I hope. Or maybe he's in the laundry room, but I hope he's out looking for all the plumbing pieces. I'd like to get everything wiped down with vinegar and cleaned up.

ANYWAY ...

I've been out of the hobby for several years so I guess step one is figuring out what the hot live rock is right now. Whats been coming in that is worth a darn? I dont particularly want Florida rock.

Look at me ... I'm a n00b! Bwah!!!

I was poking around online and am finding all kinds of ridiculous designer names that are no help in describing the rock.
Why can't people be normal.

I dont need help with setup, equipment or cycling. God knows Aquaman and I have this covered. I'm just not sure whats up with live rock.

Someone help a girl out here, please?

 

[tkeracer619]

If you want live rock with hitch hikers Tampa Bay Saltwater has pretty good stuff. Most people start their tanks off these days with dry rock and add stuff as they go. If you go this way pukani is awesome rock but is loaded with nutrients.

 

[fishinchick]

That does not compute. Loaded with nutrients as in all sorts of dead dried detritus? ......................................................................................................................................

I have old dried up rock in the garage. If I wanted that crud I'd hose that stuff off and throw it into the tank. Thanks, no. I want live rock. Just because that's how you do it these days doesnt make it right. I had perfect success previously with raw live rock, so I wish to go that route.

Tampa Bay LR usually carries an awful lot of mantis. I would like something like the old style Fiji, but I dont want any Bali balls.

 

[Misled]

Hey Chick!! Nice to see yunz guys back around!!!!


I got nuttin!!! :wave:

 

[jda]

Yes, the stuff in your garage is going to be similar to the dry/dead that you can buy. Either can release phosphate for a year, or more... roughly. Plan on a lot of GFO. Some claim to have had phosphate free dry/dead rock, but those seem to be the exceptions and nobody can really pin down where they got it in any kind of large numbers.

I just buy real pacific live rock and cure it myself. I don't care if it is boated in, or flown. The stuff on the rock is not the prize - the prize is the porous, phosphate-free structure of the rock that can denitrify and house all of the microfauna. In the long-run, this rock is worth every penny, IMO.

 

[johnike]

Hiya strangers!!!
:beer:

 

[liverock]

Like this?

Like this?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2639089&highlight=tbs

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Hey Adrienne! Nice to see you back into reefing!

 

[ktownhero]

That does not compute. Loaded with nutrients as in all sorts of dead dried detritus? ......................................................................................................................................

I have old dried up rock in the garage. If I wanted that crud I'd hose that stuff off and throw it into the tank. Thanks, no. I want live rock. Just because that's how you do it these days doesnt make it right. I had perfect success previously with raw live rock, so I wish to go that route.

Tampa Bay LR usually carries an awful lot of mantis. I would like something like the old style Fiji, but I dont want any Bali balls.

It would compute if you had the Pukani in your hands. It's an incredible style of rock that's porous and interesting looking. You need almost half as much weight in Pukani vs other types of rocks, that's how porous it is.

I had no problems curing mine and starting a tank with it. If you want best of both worlds you could go with live Pukani from TBS or Premium Aquatics.

 

[reefwars]

Yes, the stuff in your garage is going to be similar to the dry/dead that you can buy. Either can release phosphate for a year, or more... roughly. Plan on a lot of GFO. Some claim to have had phosphate free dry/dead rock, but those seem to be the exceptions and nobody can really pin down where they got it in any kind of large numbers.

I just buy real pacific live rock and cure it myself. I don't care if it is boated in, or flown. The stuff on the rock is not the prize - the prize is the porous, phosphate-free structure of the rock that can denitrify and house all of the microfauna. In the long-run, this rock is worth every penny, IMO.

my build thread is highly detailed and it's been 3yrs for me i started with dry everything but my rock was pukani I had the typicall urchin shells , crab claws and dried up sponges and who knows what else was in there

I started vinegar dosing right out the gate and i used 1lb of gfo after thst i had zero issues with phosphates ....no.curingvof any kind after the scape it went straight to the tank

3yrs later my rock is as nice as any live is and 15yrs in the hobby I've had plenty of live rock and dead rock

If say if anything its user error both live and dead have bonuses and things not so good but for me it was about finding a certain style and look of rock vs what the rock has or can do

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2450752