Rock Decisions...

neiltus

neiltus

New member
Wife and I are looking at rock for the 72g reefer...hoping some of the more recent people can chime in with some thoughts/observations re this...

Option
1) ~ 80 lbs of Pukani that has been cultured from PA.

2) a 55 lb box of walt smith 2.1 mixed with about 25 lbs of Manado.

I have never used manmade rock before...so what do the experienced say.
 
As far as I know the available surface area for man made rock is less than natural rock. So that means less available area for bacterial colonization which is important to have as much as possible. On the other hand some do not care for pukani as it can be a detritus trap but is easily manageable. I would stick with natural if it was my choice.
 
My understanding of the Walt Smith rock is exactly the opposite. Unless I'm misinformed, it's advertised as being more porous than natural rock, which is why (so it appears) that it attracts critters faster and more copiously when put in the ocean, as is done by Tampa Bay Saltwater.

I'm a total noob, but when I start my tank, I plan on getting the TBS "package".
 
I have the 2.1 in my new setup and it cycled In 5 weeks with fish less cycle. Pure ammonia and dr. Time one and only and bio spira mix and live sand. Already noticed pods in rock. And not to mention it looks awesome in the tank from day one.
 
With my experience if it's DIY rock. (Cement/shells/salt) it's heavier and less surface area. I like the natural stuff due to the amount of natural hiding holes they come with and they are easy to cut/drill/shape to your needs for aqua scaping I'm only 3 months into the hobby but I accidently bought DIY rock from my LFS not knowing any better and wish I got the natural stuff instead I have a mixture of both though.

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I don't think you need 80LBS of Pukani it's bigger then most rock. If your only going with 55 LBS of the other rock then you would need even less Pukani to cover the same amount of space. I prefer the Pukani my self. It's easy to work with and you will get the most bang for your buck. If you go that route be sure to give it a lanthanum chloride bath. I would cure the rock outside the tank. In any case why limit your self to one kind of rock? Why not mix it up?
 
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I'm either going with Tampa bay sw live rock or Caribsea life rock.

I really want the tbs live but I won't be home for a few weeks after I set up the tank to cycle and the wife probably won't want to catch hitchhikers.

That said the package by tbs for my tank is way bigger than what I need. I have a 90 and will probably go with the 45 package.
 
I have about 60 lbs Pukani from BRS in my 75. It stacks, drills and shapes very easy. I requested specific sizes and shapes. Very affordable and very pourus
35f1a9fd6ced5091aac9df65916beeb6.jpg


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Defiant Arms said:
I'm either going with Tampa bay sw live rock or Caribsea life rock.

I really want the tbs live but I won't be home for a few weeks after I set up the tank to cycle and the wife probably won't want to catch hitchhikers.

That said the package by tbs for my tank is way bigger than what I need. I have a 90 and will probably go with the 45 package.
Click to expand...

:fish1: Nothing is better than a high quality live rock, nothing, it is more expensive then man made rock, for a reason. If you can afford a good high quality rock go for it, if not save up your money until you can afford it. After all , the live rock is the main biological filter for your tank. Why not wait until you get back before you buy your rock from TBS? :fish1:
 
Capt.Nemo said:
I have about 60 lbs Pukani from BRS in my 75. It stacks, drills and shapes very easy. I requested specific sizes and shapes. Very affordable and very pourus
35f1a9fd6ced5091aac9df65916beeb6.jpg


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Click to expand...

I like the two rocks on the right
 
Rock seems to get a lot of differing opinions. I went the live rock route when I set up my first tank and don't really have any regrets. However, for my second tank I decided on BRS reef saver rock for a couple of reasons. 1) I had some pests come in off the live rock and was never able to fully rid myself of them. 2) The curing process is quite time consuming 3) The cost is, IMHO, better spent elsewhere (like lights). I know TBS gets a lot of positive play and rightly so, but here again you have lots of pests coming in on the rock and it is fairly expensive.

Finally keep in mind that you can achieve excellent biological filtration with less rock if you use certain media in your sump and your biological filtration will only be as large as the bioload that feeds it.

My .02
 
All rock will end up colored like that. I just can't justify spending over $5 a LB on rock but that's just me.
 
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I agree with that, but this does look like a new tank to me. It doesn't happen that quick without bits & pieces here & there.
 
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Just takes time as all. That was my point. I care more about what the over all scape looks like then if the rock is purple right away or not.
 
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