New marine set-up / PMASI / LR

[woodwo]

I live in Pittsburgh (Southside) and I'm new to this hobby and my goal is to establish a FOWLR and (if successful!) then re-evaluate to see if I want to head in the direction of a reef set-up. Up to this point I've been using RC and WWM extensively as guidance and I've learned a ton just by reading the forums.

I'm currently setting up a 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump (protein skimmer / DSB / return) and I'm ready to add LR. I would prefer at least a portion of the LR to be "new" so I'm looking at on-line providers such as Liveaquaria (Drs Foster and Smith), premiumaquatics, etc. Does anyone have any recent experience with on-line LR suppliers?

It's great to have such strong local resources such as the PMASI - I'm looking forward to participating and hope to make it to the next meeting...when is it?

Also, has anyone had experience with "Coral Reef Keepers"?

Thanks for any help!

Brian

 

[Mitsuko]

I just visited their new location near Altoona. I definitely would recommend them as far as prices and helping the customers. They are still settling into their new location and I would advise you to email or call first to make sure they have what you need. Also, I live 45 minutes east of Pittsburgh and it was another 1 hr drive further east from me.

 

[raynist]

Check with Elmer's. If you buy over a certain amount I think it is $5 per pound. You can join PMAS and get 10% more off.

People on here are always selling rock also.

 

[woodwo]

Thanks, I've gotten most of my supplies at Elmers but I haven't looked at their LR. Will do. Can I join PMAS prior to the next meeting?

 

[raynist]

There used to be a way to do it on our site through Paypal, but I am not sure if that is working now.

I will try to get someone to respond to this post.

--Ray

 

[Tswifty]

Personally if I was setting up a new tank I would go with either the Bulk Reef Supply Eco Rock or Marco Rocks (dry rock). Then add a few pieces of pest/algae free "established" rock from another tank if you want.

That way you don't have to deal with pests or nuisance algae hitchhiking in. You may have to deal with "green rock" for a little while as it settles in, but a few of my friends who have started with dry rock encountered far less problems then I while there tank was maturing.

Here is a friend of mine's tank progression. He started with dry rock from Bulk Reef Supply I believe.

Initial addition of dry rock:

"Green" cycle

Established:

 

[cloakerpoked]

I'd have to agree with TJ. If I had the time, I'd go with dried rock, and seed it with a very small amount of pest free rock and then go from there. Nothing good ever happens in this hobby quickly :0) Especially since you're going for a FOWLR to begin with, you'd definitely have the time to let the rock establish before going the reef direction. The last thing you want to have to deal with is a tank full of aptaisa and try to start a reef tank that way.

 

[woodwo]

Thanks for the suggestion - I checked out the dry rock on-line last night and it looked good. I guess "critter-free" LR might be more an advantage than a disadvantage!

 

[cloakerpoked]

take it from someone who battles aptaisa in my tank on a frequent basis...pest free rock would be AWESOME! Of course, all I should have to do is put my Emerald Chalice near them for a few days and let it go to town on them...looked in the tank with a flashlight last night and that thing had sweeper tentacles out that were easily 3-4" long. I knew it was stinging my acans earlier, but thought I got it pretty well secluded, until I was looking at things last night. Now I'm pretty sure that if this thing gets any bigger, I'll have to get it it's own fish tank

 

[fodupos]

i just got a bunch of dry rock from BRS and it is awesome... it is awesome. i am goign to use it to build a rock and foam wall for my tank. i got the mixed eco rock and i got all sorts of shapes and sizes.

 

[bnmir]

Might I suggest taking a 5/8" drill bit and making some 1" deep holes in your rock before going wet. Ideal for attaching coral frags later, and most frag plugs sit securely in them.

 

[woodwo]

fodupos - thanks for the review! At least part of my rock will start out dry and their rock looks great on the web site.

bnmir - thanks for the tip! I'm sure I'll be going towards reef eventually and this will make that transition easier.