Rock choices

[Tat2demon]

Im going to be getting the remaining 50 lbs. of rock I need in the next couple weeks but am torn between choices. Safe dry rock or cool live? I like the idea of not having to worry about craps or mantis but at the same time, a favorite part of having a reef tank for me is watching it in the middle of the night and discovering new life, even after a couple years of running.


1. BRS Pukani

GOOD - Very porous, lots of nooks and crannies, no bad hitchhikers.

BAD - Its dead rock with no cool life on it. Ive heard that it has lots of dead organics on it and will cause another large cycle.

2. Marco

GOOD - Fairly porous, I used this for my rock/foam wall and was pretty happy with it. Again, no bad hitchhikers. Marco rock comes pre-cured so shouldn't be any trapped phosphates.

BAD - Again, no life on it.

3. Aquacultered Live Rock

GOOD - Lots of cool life to watch. Pods, corals, macro algeas, sponges ect.

BAD - Large possibility of very nasty hitchhikers. Will need to cure the rock before adding it to my DT.

 

[aleonn]

I would go with dry rock. All rocks will eventually be full of life and biodiversity. But to me, live rock has too much of a risk of pests.

I purchased about 250 lbs of BRS Fiji rocks and did a thorough rinsing (there were lots of dried leaves embedded in some tunnels). Kinda wish I went with Pukani, but Fiji rock is still pretty good for my aquascaping ideas.

 

[zachfishman]

I got all of my rock (for a relatively small system) from another hobbyist breaking down their tank. Very cheap, fully cultured, full of life.

 

[cloyd A.]

I got 65 lbs. for a top off in my 125 from Bluezoo.com,it almost matches Marshall Island live rock.