A lot has changed in 15 years

klc · Feb 5, 2023

I was an avid reefer 15 years ago, I sold all of my tanks and now I'm happily back again. One of the things I have discovered is the lack of quality live rock in the trade. I have set my new tank up with dry rock because that's what is available. I have to admit I don't care for the sterile look, and I miss all of the life on genuine live rock. I am aware of all of the bad things that could be on live rock but I've never had anything that I couldn't deal with. I miss the sponges, tubeworms, tiny brittlestars etc that are now missing from my tank, organisms that would keep me occupied for hours looking at them.

What are everyone's thoughts on this? How does one introduce these organisms back into a tank that was started with dry rock?

I installed a pair of Viparspectra lights on my new tank and although they are bright and give off no heat, I sure do miss the 250w MH of reefing past.

bradreef · Feb 5, 2023

There are a couple companies that still have live rock, i recommend at least a little live to seed. Back in the early 2000's is was all live rock. I remember those days of newspaper wrapped rock that smelled of dead sealife.

Tcook · Feb 5, 2023

Yes. That definitely has changed. Last time I had a large break-down I had 120 pound of live Fiji, Tonga branch, and Marshall Islands rock. Sold and gave it away. Can't get that anymore lol.

vlangel · Feb 5, 2023

KP Aquatics sell beautiful live rock, perhaps you could buy one or two premium pieces and incorporate that into your reef. Under the right conditions in not too terribly long period of time your whole tank will be seeded with organism from the live rock.

CoastalTownLayabout · Feb 5, 2023

Yep, you can’t just throw in rock that’s as dry as a dead dingos donger, add livestock and blast it with light. It’s a much slower process, which in some ways should be viewed as a good thing for those who have the patience.