I gave away all my rock a few years ago when taking a break from the hobby and now I need new rock for a new tank. All the stores sell live rock but it's really just bare cured rock. It may have bacteria on it, but nothing else. I want to reestablish the algea, macroalgea, bugs, worms, little shrimps, pollups, mushrooms and other little secrets that appear from time to time in established rock. I can buy corals and other cuttings but I still won't get the rest of it. What's the best way to get rock with living stuff on it? Or do people try not to have all that stuff in the tank now? The only thing I didn't like was the Aiptasia.
Where to get live rock - not just bare cured rock?
- Thread starter tgurske
- Start date
I’ve received great Caribbean Live Rock from KP Aquatics.
Also have heard phenomenal things about Tampa Bay Saltwater’s Gulf rock.
For other Gulf rock there’s Gulf Live Rock and Salty Bottom Reef Company…heard good things about them too.
There’s also limited amounts of Australian rock being imported but, it’s pretty pricy…around $25 per pound. But the pics I’ve seen of it look fantastic.
Also have heard phenomenal things about Tampa Bay Saltwater’s Gulf rock.
For other Gulf rock there’s Gulf Live Rock and Salty Bottom Reef Company…heard good things about them too.
There’s also limited amounts of Australian rock being imported but, it’s pretty pricy…around $25 per pound. But the pics I’ve seen of it look fantastic.
This^^^
If I’m not mistaken they usually have both “base” and “premium”. I’m not sure if the warehouse is open to walk ins but I know they do local pick up
I've never ordered from them because back when I was looking for live rock, they only did airport pickup and I just didn't have time to drive to the airport to pick it up. But, I've never heard a bad review of their rock.
Awesome! Feel free to share some pictures
Vinny Kreyling
Premium Member
Watch out for hitchhikers!
scottysnowmass
New member
anyone here use salty bottom reef for live rock? If so, how was your experience? It seems like they are one of the only ones that currently has inventory.
I’ve never used them but they’ve been around. I know TBS is moving after being affected by the hurricane. Not sure about KP or Gulf Live Rock
ironwill723
Well-known member
KP is nice stuff. Last time I spoke with them they were using dry marco rock to seed their ocean farm site. I believe they leave it out in the ocean a couple years before harvesting.
I've never used them either but, I've heard good things about them. I prefer KP because it's Caribbean rock (from the Keys) rather than Gulf of Mexico rock like the others. That said, when I do my upgrade, I'm going to use a mix of KP and Gulf rock to get more biodiversity.
Fall and winter seem to be slim pickings for the collectors in the Gulf and Keys. The water is colder and they don't seem to get out to collect as often.
Fall and winter seem to be slim pickings for the collectors in the Gulf and Keys. The water is colder and they don't seem to get out to collect as often.
Awesome!
DjPhato
Member
I recently had purchased these rocks:
10lb manmade live rocks from MarcoRock - beautiful rocks, lots of life
40lb manmade live rocks from KP aquatics - beautiful as much or even better and full of life
15lb natural premium australia live rocks from TankStop - very nice owner, he video called me and let me select the rocks, they are nice and full of live, however are a bit fragile and should be packed a bit better. In this particular batch many of them were too young in my opinion, almost just coral skeleton that were in water for not long enough to become rock, I choose those that looked more “rocky” and supposedly more functional in terms of bacterial growth (i think).
10lb manmade live rocks from MarcoRock - beautiful rocks, lots of life
40lb manmade live rocks from KP aquatics - beautiful as much or even better and full of life
15lb natural premium australia live rocks from TankStop - very nice owner, he video called me and let me select the rocks, they are nice and full of live, however are a bit fragile and should be packed a bit better. In this particular batch many of them were too young in my opinion, almost just coral skeleton that were in water for not long enough to become rock, I choose those that looked more “rocky” and supposedly more functional in terms of bacterial growth (i think).
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