TBS Live Rock Compared to Wild Live Rock

[Tobman]

Can someone tell me what the primary differences are between TBS or Florida aquacultured live rock compared to wild live rock from say Fiji? Not the rock type, but the diversity and amount of life on the rock. Some at RC have said that TBS live rock is nice, but nothing compared to wild live rock.

 

[Ruu]

It's all about how the rock gets to you. Your Fiji live rock might start out with the most diverse set of life on the planet, but I can assure you that most of the rock we in America receive from the Pacific (and other "wild" sources) endures conditions that make it unlikely that much beyond bacteria and some coralline survive to your tank. The TBS I have received has been stored and shipped in water pretty much for its entire life outside the Ocean, and the diversity of life on it is unsurpassed - you just aren't realistically going to get more life on any live rock unless you go to the ocean yourself (and that isn't necessarily a good thing all the time - you get the good and the bad).

Now, the diversity of life on the rock is going to be limited to that which occurs naturally around Florida, but most "wild" live rock, at least in the US is just a barren pink piece of stone in comparison.

Dave

 

[Tobman]

What about the density of the rock compared to say Marshall Island LR? One of the criticisms I've heard of the Florida Aquacultered live rock is that is not an open rock like Marshall Island and so does not provide little caves and what not for fish to hide in like other types.

 

[Ruu]

Almost certainly a little denser, but as for caves and crevices, where do you think all the mantis shrimp and crabs that people find hide out? The rock is fine, and has a greater diversity of life (both good and bad, but in my opinion that's half the fun) than just about any other live rock out there. The density just means you might need a little more.

Dave

 

[GL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8151372#post8151372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tobman
What about the density of the rock compared to say Marshall Island LR? One of the criticisms I've heard of the Florida Aquacultered live rock is that is not an open rock like Marshall Island and so does not provide little caves and what not for fish to hide in like other types.

There will be holes and such that critters can hide in. But as far as density goes the TBS rock is at least 2-3 times heavier per volume than the Marshall rock.