What is the best Rock?!?!?

[g8gxp]

There's another post on here discussing the pros and cons of different type of rock. Since I'm totally clueless, can anybody elaborate on the different type of rock?

From what I understand there are basically 2 different types of live rock. Pacific rock, which as I understand are basically pieces of rock broken off of a reef, and bahamian rock which was described as basically limestone quarried rock. Is this accurate?

The post also said that the pacific rock (fiji, tonga, rock found in your LFS, etc. etc.) is superior to bahamian rock because it is less dense, lighter and more porous. It cited that bahamian rock, because it is limestone has been cooking in the earth for thousands of years under lots of pressure which is why it is heavier, denser, and less porous. Is any of this accurate?

Here is the link to the post (at the bottom) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1444979

 

[divemonster]

Rather than say the Pacific rock is superior, it is much more accurate to say it is different.

I elaborated a bit on the post if you want to go back and read it.

 

[g8gxp]

After posting my question I spent about 4 hours going through the various articles written by all the authors at reefkeeping magazine, and I think I answered my own question.

There was an article by ronald shimeck talking about live rock and he stated that although rock porosity is important, a better guage of the biofiltering capacity of a rock is the amount of life in and on the rock. From what I understand without the animals, microorganisms, bacteria etc. in the rock and on the surface of the rock, the biofiltration process really doesn't get going very well.

Typical rock found in an LFS has been cured and scrubbed of most of these necessary animals and although it is still "live rock" it is mostly coralline algae on the surface and throughout the innards which can actually be detrimental to tank health in the long run.

So far, every doubt I've had about buying the package has been completely squashed. yay!

 

[Acrophet]

My rock from TBS is covered in living organisms, sponges, barnacles and whatever else. When I visit my LFS their rock looks dead compared to my TBS rock.

 

[divemonster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13098555#post13098555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
After posting my question I spent about 4 hours going through the various articles written by all the authors at reefkeeping magazine, and I think I answered my own question.

There was an article by ronald shimeck talking about live rock and he stated that although rock porosity is important, a better guage of the biofiltering capacity of a rock is the amount of life in and on the rock. From what I understand without the animals, microorganisms, bacteria etc. in the rock and on the surface of the rock, the biofiltration process really doesn't get going very well.

Typical rock found in an LFS has been cured and scrubbed of most of these necessary animals and although it is still "live rock" it is mostly coralline algae on the surface and throughout the innards which can actually be detrimental to tank health in the long run.

So far, every doubt I've had about buying the package has been completely squashed. yay!

Well said! Good job on the research, too.

 

[AlaskaWolf]

I spent a lot of time asking those same questions; I decided on the Tampa Bay rock, and have been absolutely fascinated with it. The biodiversity is far above and beyond anything you will find in your LFS or online. I have had a few undesirable hitchhkers, but even the mantis shrimp weren't as bad as people make them out to be; especially Marvin the mantis.

I did find some comperable rock out of the South Pacific, but with overnight air shipping, it would have been over $2000 for the same amount of rock. And their mantis shrimp have a far worse reputation than Marvin. Personally, I'll never buy rock anywhere else again.

 

[figuerres]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13098555#post13098555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
After posting my question I spent about 4 hours going through the various articles written by all the authors at reefkeeping magazine, and I think I answered my own question.

There was an article by ronald shimeck talking about live rock and he stated that although rock porosity is important, a better guage of the biofiltering capacity of a rock is the amount of life in and on the rock. From what I understand without the animals, microorganisms, bacteria etc. in the rock and on the surface of the rock, the biofiltration process really doesn't get going very well.

Typical rock found in an LFS has been cured and scrubbed of most of these necessary animals and although it is still "live rock" it is mostly coralline algae on the surface and throughout the innards which can actually be detrimental to tank health in the long run.

So far, every doubt I've had about buying the package has been completely squashed. yay!

basicaly correct my friend.

by the way, there is a lot of variation in any kind of "rock" I have some TBS rock that is very full of holes and tunnels etc....
and a couple that are the "Boulders" you heard about.

but as you mention the pacific stuff is very different.

but think of this:
TBS is growing a reef out there, when someone buys pacific rock they are inadvertantly supporting a bad thing IMHO, paying locals to break off chunks of the reef or clear areas of rubble that would in time create new reefs.

what I would like to see is someone do what richard / TBS has done in the gulf... in the pacific!

better for the locals, better for the reef.

only one problem: then TBS would not be the only one doing it right

 

[AlaskaWolf]

Besides, Wennerae mantis shrimp will make all of the holes in your rock that you will ever want. Making them stop is the problem!