Setting up a new tank, live rock options
- Thread starter Fathog02
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lpsouth1978
New member
You can still get live rock, though many (including myself) choose to use dry rock because there is no risk of unwanted hitchhikers. If you want live rock your best bet is to either get it locally from your LFS, or order it from Tampa Bay Saltwater. TBS has the best live rock you will find and comes with TONS of life. IT will have coralline, sponges, macro algae, and some corals. Some people have even reported finding starfish and even fish with their rock.
Of course this also means you can get some nasties, like gorilla crabs and pistol shrimp, so you have to be sure to clear the rock of any of these before adding it to your tank.
Of course this also means you can get some nasties, like gorilla crabs and pistol shrimp, so you have to be sure to clear the rock of any of these before adding it to your tank.
Thanks for the reply!
Convict Tang
New member
Live Rock
Live Rock
If you want true live rock --- you will have to go to a place like Tampa Bay Saltwater to get it. With so many import bans going on it's pretty hard to get true live rock.
A lot of sellers now call Dry Rock "Live Rock" now, which is very annoying. I see this a lot with Real Reef Rock. It just has bacteria that's it...not live how it used to be. There are some sellers using Macro and other dry rock and making it live over time, but they are hard to find right now.
The one rock I was a fan of was ARC live rock, but they were hit hard with the last hurricane. Hopefully get get back up and running. Their Coraline in a bottle is pretty good though
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Live Rock
If you want true live rock --- you will have to go to a place like Tampa Bay Saltwater to get it. With so many import bans going on it's pretty hard to get true live rock.
A lot of sellers now call Dry Rock "Live Rock" now, which is very annoying. I see this a lot with Real Reef Rock. It just has bacteria that's it...not live how it used to be. There are some sellers using Macro and other dry rock and making it live over time, but they are hard to find right now.
The one rock I was a fan of was ARC live rock, but they were hit hard with the last hurricane. Hopefully get get back up and running. Their Coraline in a bottle is pretty good though
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RioReefr
New member
I don't know the size of your tank, but if I were to do it over again I think I would consider getting the Marine Pure Rocks:
https://www.algaebarn.com/product/marine-pure-rock/
I had recently purchased the MP block and really like the positive results I am getting with lower nitrates.
They are super porous and supposedly able to grow coralline and host copepods as well. With real "live-rock", you never know what kind of hitchhikers you are getting. And it was my experience using other rocks, they leeched phosphates and caused GHA break-out.
Also with the ceramic media, it would be super easy to cut with a hacksaw and design the aquascape exactly the way you would like it to be. This is just my opinion.
https://www.algaebarn.com/product/marine-pure-rock/
I had recently purchased the MP block and really like the positive results I am getting with lower nitrates.
They are super porous and supposedly able to grow coralline and host copepods as well. With real "live-rock", you never know what kind of hitchhikers you are getting. And it was my experience using other rocks, they leeched phosphates and caused GHA break-out.
Also with the ceramic media, it would be super easy to cut with a hacksaw and design the aquascape exactly the way you would like it to be. This is just my opinion.
OneReef
Reef Guru
Ironic, I came on here to make the exact same topic post, and saw yours. I’m getting back into the hobby after several years out. I used to use live Fiji rock, but that seems like it’s not happening anymore. I’m looking at the Real Reef Rock, but hesitant because it almost looks too purple. I don’t want fake looking rocks. I don’t want pure white dry rock either... I’m setting my tank up in about a week, and have no idea at this point what I’m going to do about rock... I’ve always wanted to try Tampa Bay Saltwater, for all the crazy live stuff with them, but not sure what kinda pests/parasites might be involved.. I’ll probably go the RealReef rock route..
Dry rock such has Pukani is rare now with collecting and reselling stop or stopping. Most stores are out of it. If you want live stuff, which is better anyway, then TBS or KP would be first choices. Well, honestly I'd go see Richard first because his source has been in production longer. It doesn't mean KP or others are not has good to be fair. So look for those.
I'll say this though - while I see the value in using dry rock it is something I will never recommend let alone use again. I mean never, ever, ever use again. I cured 150 LBS of dry Pukani. With 2 in college it was the affordable route and it really is nice rock. That isn't the problem. The problem is the time it takes to mature... Good things take time in this hobby, I get it. I support it. But wow - it takes a while to mature all of those little nooks, crannies, and surface area no doubt.
I'll say this though - while I see the value in using dry rock it is something I will never recommend let alone use again. I mean never, ever, ever use again. I cured 150 LBS of dry Pukani. With 2 in college it was the affordable route and it really is nice rock. That isn't the problem. The problem is the time it takes to mature... Good things take time in this hobby, I get it. I support it. But wow - it takes a while to mature all of those little nooks, crannies, and surface area no doubt.
water is wet
New member
You should also check out liverocknreef. They have several options.
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RioReefr
New member
Just another note on the subject, but I would strongly recommend checking out this BRS video...they even go into curing the rock...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weuOniZN2Jo
I would never ever never do the dry-rock method again if I was starting over. I put a football-size chunk of dry rock in my tank almost a year ago. No joke, but I think it has finally just now mabye "matured". It leeched so much phospate that I was constantly battling GHA and dosing NoPox.
Something else, if doing it over again I'd definitely get me some of those "bacteria-in-a-bottle" solutions like BIO-Spira or Dr Tims.
I know Diatoms, Cyano and GHA are natural occurring events in the hobby, but if you can minimize this stuff as much as possible then it makes enjoying your tank sooner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weuOniZN2Jo
I would never ever never do the dry-rock method again if I was starting over. I put a football-size chunk of dry rock in my tank almost a year ago. No joke, but I think it has finally just now mabye "matured". It leeched so much phospate that I was constantly battling GHA and dosing NoPox.
Something else, if doing it over again I'd definitely get me some of those "bacteria-in-a-bottle" solutions like BIO-Spira or Dr Tims.
I know Diatoms, Cyano and GHA are natural occurring events in the hobby, but if you can minimize this stuff as much as possible then it makes enjoying your tank sooner.
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