Which rock did you choose?

[Ninja1]

As I begin to consider livestock and rock, I'm curious on how many actually have tanks mostly with LR. While researching it looks to be that there are a lot of dry rock enthusiasts. I'm aware of what dry rock has to offer and the critters that come along with LR.

I'm still leaning towards more LR in my tank but I'm interested in knowing what the majority prefers.

 

[dnsfpl]

i will use all dead rock to cycle

and seed with a small piece of LR

 

[r-balljunkie]

i didnt have a choice this tank build. i had to go out and get it myself. found a nice little pool that was exposed at low tide and went snorkeling for my live rock. needless to say, the hitch hickers were crazy. i had these mini blennies in my tank the size of a fingernail....crabs that are 3" long, and smaller. when the lights go out, its like an orchestra in my tank, crab legs dangling everywhere. when i get stateside...i think one of the best deals going is the stuff you can get shipped wet from florida..forget the outfits name.

 

[gooberz]

LR all the way for me. I love the life that comes out of the rock and have yet to get any bad critters in my tank. I am picky when i buy my rock.

 

[aquaman67]

I used all Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock. Although I'm not sure if it was affected by the oil spill.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I used mostly dry rock because of my worry of bad hitchhikers and the cost was much cheaper. especially because the LR around here costs $10/lb at my LFS.

 

[Ninja1]

when the lights go out, its like an orchestra in my tank, crab legs dangling everywhere.

Lol, I can only imagine- pretty cool that you picked your own rock.

I used all Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock. Although I'm not sure if it was affected by the oil spill.

I've heard good things about the Tampa stuff.

I used mostly dry rock because of my worry of bad hitchhikers and the cost was much cheaper. especially because the LR around here costs $10/lb at my LFS.

Yep the price of it is a lot and that's why I'm trying to avoid shipping.

 

[jcolletteiii]

I put feelers out on my local forum (here on RC) asking for dry rock that ppl had laying around, leftover, whatever. I found more than enough for much, MUCH cheaper than buying it from a retailer. I then found one small, nicely coralline covered piece of LR, crushed it to shards and used it to seed my dry rock. There must have been some small aiptasia on it though, because the little bastards got into my tank. I've finally just managed to eradicate them using peppermint shrimp. and that was just a SINGLE piece of LR... I will never use actual LR again, other than small pieces for seeding - it's kind of a waste of money - dry rock will become live. All you're paying for is impatience.

 

[Brwestern]

You know what I use. Tampa bay saltwater.

And no, the rock wasn't affected at all by the oil spill.



A lot of people use bulk reef supply dry rock

 

[Green Chromis]

Go with live rock if you can afford it.

 

[mwilliams62]

I went with LR for my tanks but when I do get my new tank I will be probably be going with dry base rock because it is cheaper and all my other LR can seed them very nicely. Also prices here in Houston are different from store to store and if you buy alot they cut you really nice deals. However, I have seen one store with LR costing $10per lb but it states they are "PEST FREE" how is that possible I do not know how that is possible...

 

[Ninja1]

You know what I use. Tampa bay saltwater.

Yep! I am doing a order at TBS and i actually saw some awesome stuff at a LFS here but it's $12/lb

 

[D-Nak]

There's been a lot of hype regarding pests coming in on live rock. While this may be true, I found that most of my pests -- the ones I really didn't want like aiptasia, bubble algae, and a zoa nudi -- came in as hitchhikers on frags I picked up from fellow reefers.

Therefore, the choice is more along the lines of price and aesthetics. If you can find good looking, high quality live rock with good coralline growth, and are willing to pay for it, then go with live rock. If you don't mind waiting for dead rock to color up with coralline and other forms of life and want to save money, go with dead rock.

I think the benefits of organisms that are on live rock is still up for debate, and that's why there's a split between going dead rock and live rock.

 

[campos]

If i was to do it again i would start with dry rock. Too many things came with my live rock. Aptasia, mushrooms, mantis shrimp. With dry rock you know what's in your tank

 

[RcToners]

Dry rock for me.. Marco Rock worked GREAT with their mortar. I seeded my cora pet sand with a scoop of live sand and thats all you really need

 

[Ninja1]

Wow- love that sweet middle rock cave!!!!

 

[Sharpie_]

I used quarry harvested dry rock from eco-reefer in Kitchener Ontario and some seed rock from a local who was selling imported fresh rock for 4.00$/# and some rock from his tank. A few years later in this tank I couldn't be any happier

 

[dzfish17]

I used dry rock from marcorocks. I built a rockwall from top to bottom using their prime cut pieces. I added some LR on the bottom when I filled the tank.

 

[Ninja1]

81 votes so far and this is yet another topic with a split. Oh and I saw an ad somewhere that also advertised LR without any pests. Doubt thats true but the feedback gives me lots to think about.

 

[ljr]

I used about 100# or dry marco rock and one small piece of live rock to seed.