Australian live rock

[Jd120988]

Anyone spot any aptasia?

Negative

 

[Daftendire]

Got 7lbs in on Friday. One huge rock and a smaller guy. Several water changes and it's still not cured just yet based on smell test. Hopefully something neat survives. Pics inside IM nuvo 10 for reference:

 

[Tamberav]

I am sad that the corals on it look very dead. I wonder if this is because Unique corals keeps it for a week before selling.

I wonder if it looks more like this when they receive it?

 

[Jd120988]

I am sad that the corals on it look very dead. I wonder if this is because Unique corals keeps it for a week before selling.

I wonder if it looks more like this when they receive it?

The only reason it looks so purple in their website pictures is because they likely took the pictures under actinic lights with an orange filter. My rock has a bunch of different colored coraline on it and macros like in the pictures but the actual rock isn't purple because it's not under actinics with a filter.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Wasn’t expecting any corals from this rock. And from the scent it’s been in and out of water a few times. Have seen any aiptasia Have u?

 

[lilfish2196]

The only reason it looks so purple in their website pictures is because they likely took the pictures under actinic lights with an orange filter. My rock has a bunch of different colored coraline on it and macros like in the pictures but the actual rock isn't purple because it's not under actinics with a filter.

Agreeed!!! Definitely multiple colors on mine also

 

[Tamberav]

I just figured it could have been cared for better in transport.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I just figured it could have been cared for better in transport.

Agree. Esp since it was excess originally ordered for a marine project. Second time they had offering like this.

 

[Mellotang]

For 26/# plus shipping I think the Florida cultured rock looks much better

 

[fulltang]

For 26/# plus shipping I think the Florida cultured rock looks much better

I asked them multiple times and they insist that shipping is included in the listed price for what it's worth.

You guys are making me second guess my order though, I'm tempted to cancel and go the TBS route

 

[Mellotang]

That’s your decision but no matter what any live rock you get will be beneficial

 

[fulltang]

That’s your decision but no matter what any live rock you get will be beneficial

For sure. This is going in a pico jar, so the rock will basically be a center piece, and at 3lbs I'm prepared to buy the absolute best looking rock I can get since the price isn't huge at that weight.

 

[Jd120988]

I asked them multiple times and they insist that shipping is included in the listed price for what it's worth.

You guys are making me second guess my order though, I'm tempted to cancel and go the TBS route

I've never purchased from tbs but have purchased from gulf live rock I think its called and kp aquatics. Florida rock is great and sometimes you get nice pieces. I have to say though from my experience that gulf live rock is heavy and not very porous and kp is the opposite very porous and light so it takes less poundage to build a nice structure. Kps rock shipped in water is incredible for life, so much still alive including starfish and all kinds of other life like bobbits and pistol shrimp. Gulf live rock had a ton of aptasia when I purchased it which my understanding is pretty common from all rock collected in the gulf. If I compare this Australian live rock vs either of those other live rock sellers I'd say it's lighter and more porous than either and much more diverse macro species all over it, as for pests i havent spotted any and i probably spent more time staring at this rock than my dipslay tank since i recieved it. It's so intriguing to me to the point that when fellow local reefers have come over ive been more interested in showing off the aussie rock over my corals lol. I would pick kp aquatics over gulf rock sellers and I would pick this Australian rock over kp aquatics and I've ordered from kp atleast 4 times over the last 6 years. At the end of the day though any real live rock from any of the known companies will add the biodiversity your probably looking for.

 

[fulltang]

I've never purchased from tbs but have purchased from gulf live rock I think its called and kp aquatics. Florida rock is great and sometimes you get nice pieces. I have to say though from my experience that gulf live rock is heavy and not very porous and kp is the opposite very porous and light so it takes less poundage to build a nice structure. Kps rock shipped in water is incredible for life, so much still alive including starfish and all kinds of other life like bobbits and pistol shrimp. Gulf live rock had a ton of aptasia when I purchased it which my understanding is pretty common from all rock collected in the gulf. If I compare this Australian live rock vs either of those other live rock sellers I'd say it's lighter and more porous than either and much more diverse macro species all over it, as for pests i havent spotted any and i probably spent more time staring at this rock than my dipslay tank since i recieved it. It's so intriguing to me to the point that when fellow local reefers have come over ive been more interested in showing off the aussie rock over my corals lol. I would pick kp aquatics over gulf rock sellers and I would pick this Australian rock over kp aquatics and I've ordered from kp atleast 4 times over the last 6 years. At the end of the day though any real live rock from any of the known companies will add the biodiversity your probably looking for.

I really appreciate the direct comparison, extremely helpful. I also thoroughly freaked myself out about aptasia last night, so I'll be noting that tid bit about rock from the gulf!

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I was waiting to place an order w KP and this rock became available. Got in on the tail end. Happy w what was sent. Like a 10# piece for 7# order. One rock lol

 

[Tamberav]

For sure. This is going in a pico jar, so the rock will basically be a center piece, and at 3lbs I'm prepared to buy the absolute best looking rock I can get since the price isn't huge at that weight.

What is it you are looking for as far as best looking?

Shape or hitchikers?

Gulf rock shape is just bolders but best hitchikers... can get some corals you can ONLY get that way. Shape is just eh. Obviously since you don't need much, the chance of getting a cool coral goes way down.

KPA is middle ground, some hitchikers (but less), not often corals... however shape is similar to dry rocks... way more porous. If you ship it in water, you will get a lot more life. Macro and crabs and starfish.. pistols... lots of sponge.

and obviously this aussie rock has a good amount of die off but some of the pieces tonga looking, others less interesting.

 

[fulltang]

What is it you are looking for as far as best looking?

Shape or hitchikers?

Gulf rock shape is just bolders but best hitchikers... can get some corals you can ONLY get that way. Shape is just eh. Obviously since you don't need much, the chance of getting a cool coral goes way down.

KPA is middle ground, some hitchikers (but less), not often corals... however shape is similar to dry rocks... way more porous. If you ship it in water, you will get a lot more life. Macro and crabs and starfish.. pistols... lots of sponge.

and obviously this aussie rock has a good amount of die off but some of the pieces tonga looking, others less interesting.

I would say shape is #1 at this point over hitch hikers. I feel like a stack of boulders just won't look right in a jar. I understand I can break things up and epoxy, but I'm not very confident in my ability to create something as interesting as the ocean

 

[Tamberav]

I would say shape is #1 at this point over hitch hikers. I feel like a stack of boulders just won't look right in a jar. I understand I can break things up and epoxy, but I'm not very confident in my ability to create something as interesting as the ocean

this is two kpa rocks i received in a 5g for comparison. It was shipped in wet paper towels.

whoever you get rock from... try to ask for certain sizes

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

this is two kpa rocks i received in a 5g for comparison. It was shipped in wet paper towels.

whoever you get rock from... try to ask for certain sizes

I thought KP ship in water

 

[Tamberav]

I thought KP ship in water

they have both options depending on what you want to spend.