Live Rock

[underpar]

I would like some help with the selection of live rock for a reef tank. Cost aside, what are the considerations when making this decision?

Thanks for your help, Fred

 

[drummereef]

Well, that's a loaded question. There are so many different varieties of rock to choose from. Most is asthetic. Fiji is probably the most popular rock used in reef tanks. I personally like the look of Marshall Island. Lightweight porous rock will give you the most area for bacteria.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

Lightweight porous rock will give you the most area for bacteria = Gap island rock. not cheap but looks great

 

[michaeldaly]

I would buy smaller amounts of as many different types as you can get, that way you will have the greatest bio-diversity.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Marshall Island is the favorite of most who dont mind paying the extra $$$, Figi is the best low cost rock if there was such a thing. ) Tonga branch and shelf make some popular aquascaping shapes.

 

[xenon]

I love my haitian LR.

I am not much of a fan of the haitian lettuce thou.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Miami Live Rock is my favorite. Comes with extras.........

 

[rafa316]

I think got 60lbs of Caribbean live rock from etropicals, and then some other from the LFS, it looks really nice. I am doing a water change and still curing the rock, but oh boy its fun

 

[frederickk]

I agree with xenon I really like the Haitian one!

 

[spence0416]

If you are looking for an instant reef with critters and all, look into tampbay saltwater. You get loads of hitchhickers (some good some bad). But you'll have a very cool tank as soon as you add the rock.

If you want to stay away from hitchhikers just get some nice base rock from marcorocks or reeferrocks. Then pick up just a small amount of live rock from your LFS. The coralline will come in time.

To me this is probably the best area to save money in a reef tank.

 

[scrmbld33]

my fav is the indonesia rock from www.reefscience.com awsome rock, some hitchikers more good than bad

 

[1F2FRFBF]

I just picked up some Fiji and Tonga Fusion from Pacific East in MD yesterday, and it's now steeping in a tub in my garage.

The Tonga is really nice-looking. I haven't seen any obvious critters yet, but there sure is a lot of other growth in terms of corals, sponges, and various algae, including shades of pink coralline. I don't know how well the shades of pink are going to hold up over time, but even if they don't I still have some great-looking rock to start with.

 

[silverwolf72]

Whats' the prices like at reef science?

 

[danceswithfish]

The lighter/more porus the better. That aside, my lfs got some rocks from the Marshall islands in the other day and I was blown away by how cool it looked.

 

[scrmbld33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9503958#post9503958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silverwolf72
Whats' the prices like at reef science?

i believe it was around 5$ or so plus shipping worth every penny

 

[JMC1]

I talked to reefscience earlier this month and was quoted $6.75 per lb plus $1.79 per lb for overnight shipping for the fully cured indonesian rock. There is also a 25 lb minimum order. Although the pictures of the rock look great, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $8.50 per lb for live rock....