thoughts on live rock

[Briney Dave]

There is a ton of different names and shapes and densities of live rock on the market:

So what (in your opinion) is the best live rock for the buck and why

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

That really depends on what you want to use it for. If you want lots of life Tampabaysaltwater.com has excellent rock, but you might also get some unwanted hitchhikers. If you want a nice look, Tonga branch rock is great, but it doesn't have alot of life on it. As far as a balance between life and looks goes, I have been really pleased with Bali and Uaniva. Whatever the rock, it is always best to get uncured rock and cure it yourself - it costs less and you get more life.

 

[GSMguy]

i was up at salty critter a couple weeks ago and dan had some amazing nice dense rock with awsome shapes. some very large 40-50 pound peices that were awsome

i think big peices of stuff that is not round is key shapes and large peices are what matters.

 

[cmador]

^^^I agree. I remember reading somewhere that larger, more dense pieces of live rock are more efficient with filtration than smaller, less dense ones. If I find the article, I'll post it. With that said, my 20high is filled with softball sized rocks (bought through PA as nano-sized rock) and I haven't had a problem since setting up - going on 2 years. Interesting topic - hopefully more folks will chime in.

 

[sagi]

I'm going to disagree with the last two people. Less dense rock (usually from the Pacific) may cost more than the than the denser stuff from Florida on a per lb basis, but less is needed because the higher porisity and surface area makes it a more efficient filter. Essentially you will spend about the amount of money with either type, but I prefer the porous stuff, more places for the little guys to hide and thrive.

 

[oldreefer76]

Dense rock is not porous and provides less surface are for the beneficial bacteria to grow and pods, worms etc to make homes in and multiply

 

[bond007069]

the best bang for buck is making you own live rock or using dried base rock and re-cultivate it.

Dried base rock is about 1.00 per pound i am not sure on the cost of DIY rocks

 

[Briney Dave]

From what I read from Calfo, making your own or seeded rock may look a bit like real live rock in terms of some coraline etc. but never comes close to having the volume of life that rock from the wild does. And thus not a good filtering substate.

I will be making a purchase this summer and want to consider all the options.

I was not aware of how many different types and sources there were when I made my last purchase 6 years ago.

I like how well the Tampa folks pair their rock with the support critters and help you to get everything into the tank a way that keeps the hair algae ect in check. But I am concerned about two aspects. first the number of unwanted hitch hikers is a concern and two: the rock is much more dense than the South Pacific stuff.

I worry about those sites offering rock extremely cheap (thinking there has to be a catch to those deals) like it being out of water for days on end ect.

thoughts on mixing the rock types???

 

[GSMguy]

the rock i liked not because of the density but the shape.
the rock i have is uanuva/tonga and it is very pourous to me it seems like a detritus trap id rather skim more...

 

[bond007069]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9906277#post9906277 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Briney Dave
From what I read from Calfo, making your own or seeded rock may look a bit like real live rock in terms of some coraline etc. but never comes close to having the volume of life that rock from the wild does. And thus not a good filtering substate.

Yeah but there will be tons of die off.......i think seeding the tank with fresh LR would be great for bio-diversity and such.


In a cost effective way........you're prolly not even going to see most of the rock in an aquarium........i would use "filler rock" ie. base rock for the inside structure.......then primo LR as the toppers

 

[Briney Dave]

I have never found much gunk trapped on or in the pores of rock. Under it when I did not have good water movement for sure.
Right now I am leaning toward a mix with Tonga and Fiji. I like some of the wild shapes that some of rocks have but like the price of Fiji.