Bummed

[skinnywater66]

Just was going online to order Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock and saw that they are not shipping or taking orders due to covid. Have been waiting so long to get to this point and now not sure if I should wait or look elsewhere.

 

[REEFTIDE]

Just was going online to order Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock and saw that they are not shipping or taking orders due to covid. Have been waiting so long to get to this point and now not sure if I should wait or look elsewhere.

Just to avoid the hitchhikers I would probably go with dry rock.
If thats not your thing maybe consider a different vendor? Theres lots of Ebay companies that have live rock

 

[PghReef]

Kpaquatics rock was amazing. Orderw 30 lbs shipped in newspaper but you can ship in water. Here it is in QT. Took about 1 week to cure with only 1 water change and ammonia never going above 1.

Added to 50 lbs or dry base rock in the DT this is about 2 months after purchase and I have sps encrusting.

 

[User1]

TBS and KP are the main players in legal live rock aquaculture.

2020 was not kind to TBS due to weather. However, shoot them a message to get an update. Also look for posts by liverock here. You will see a bit more information.

Hitchikers will get into your system regardless of source. The minute you introduce a coral into your system sterilization goes out the window. If you go dry rock be aware it will take 1 to 2 years to mature if not longer. That doesn't mean you can't place corals or fish into the system but it does mean biological filter and that takes time to get into every nook and cranny the rock offers compared to say TBS or KP's rock that are ocean bound for months and having Mother Nature working her magic.

tl; dr - two ways of doing things pick one that works for you. Message liverock / tbs and get status. KP is another source.

 

[T-J]

You can still go with dry rock (the way I've done my last two tanks). No hitchhikers and a LOT cheaper!!

Check with local reef clubs (especially on FB). I see posts almost daily in my clubs of people offering up Live Rock for sale or even for free. Some LFS sell live rock as well, so that might be an option.

 

[PghReef]

I'd avoid all dry like the plague if possible. Too many dino and other nuisance algae threads along with tanks that are stable and growing softies just fine but cant get sps to survive threads.

Something to be said for the biodiversity you just can't add without liverock. I'll take a gorilla crab hitchiker anyday.

 

[User1]

I'd avoid all dry like the plague if possible. Too many dino and other nuisance algae threads along with tanks that are stable and growing softies just fine but cant get sps to survive threads.

Something to be said for the biodiversity you just can't add without liverock. I'll take a gorilla crab hitchiker anyday.

This is true. Even 2 1/2 years in with dry rock I can still pick a piece up, turn it 90 or 180 degrees, and the facing surface will look like I just put it in. Take another piece, larger one this time, remove from tank, place on the ground, grab hammer and chisel / tool, and split a piece off. While the inside / middle is expected to be similar to new rock it is the nooks and crannies that really show why they take time to mature. The newly exposed deep nooks and crannies look like you just bought it.

Point is - it takes a long time for the biological filter, micro fauna, and other other things to take hold in the entire rock. Cycle is fine. Going through stages over time is fine. Adding some fish and soft/lps corals are fine. Water parameters will be fine. However, that oceanic smell and depth of the system taking hold to the deeper aspects of the rocks.

It takes time...

 

[T-J]

This is true. Even 2 1/2 years in with dry rock I can still pick a piece up, turn it 90 or 180 degrees, and the facing surface will look like I just put it in. Take another piece, larger one this time, remove from tank, place on the ground, grab hammer and chisel / tool, and split a piece off. While the inside / middle is expected to be similar to new rock it is the nooks and crannies that really show why they take time to mature. The newly exposed deep nooks and crannies look like you just bought it.

Point is - it takes a long time for the biological filter, micro fauna, and other other things to take hold in the entire rock. Cycle is fine. Going through stages over time is fine. Adding some fish and soft/lps corals are fine. Water parameters will be fine. However, that oceanic smell and depth of the system taking hold to the deeper aspects of the rocks.

It takes time...

True, but dry rock being placed in a tank or an ocean will still absorb things at the same rate. So if I have a mature tank, and I place a rock in it, and a rock in the ocean at the same time, and 6 months later pull them both out and break them open, they should both have the same amount of penetration into the rock.

However, I think the greater argument/point here is that dry rock placed in the ocean will have more diverse biology than the ones in a dry rock tank. I don't know enough about bacteria to know how diverse the organisms we need can be.

My last two tanks were dry rock. Each seeded with bottle bac (one with Dr. Tim's and one with Microbacter). Both seem fine and both grow SPS.

My tank before these two had live rock from Indonesia/Bali, when you could still get it. It had its fair share of algae, both hair and macro that hitchhiked in. So to say that you won't have any issues with live rock is just as false as saying dry rock can't grow SPS.

 

[>>klong<<]

I'm considering getting some rock for a new 20g nano plus some extra to throw in my DT. Any advice on shipping damp or in water? Is shipping in water worth the extra expense?

 

[Garf]

Bummed has a hole different meaning over here in the UK.

 

[Attreui]

TBS Has closed for good it seems. They decided with Covid and their age it wasn't worth the trouble. He said on a thread on another site he may be willing to sell his aquaculture site lease. Sucks but they are in their 60s and 70s, so it makes sense.

 

[PghReef]

True, but dry rock being placed in a tank or an ocean will still absorb things at the same rate. So if I have a mature tank, and I place a rock in it, and a rock in the ocean at the same time, and 6 months later pull them both out and break them open, they should both have the same amount of penetration into the rock.

However, I think the greater argument/point here is that dry rock placed in the ocean will have more diverse biology than the ones in a dry rock tank. I don't know enough about bacteria to know how diverse the organisms we need can be.

My last two tanks were dry rock. Each seeded with bottle bac (one with Dr. Tim's and one with Microbacter). Both seem fine and both grow SPS.

My tank before these two had live rock from Indonesia/Bali, when you could still get it. It had its fair share of algae, both hair and macro that hitchhiked in. So to say that you won't have any issues with live rock is just as false as saying dry rock can't grow SPS.

I wouldn't blindly agree that they absorb at the same rate as too many variables at play here. A lot of the absorption isn't literally absorbing nutrients or elements from the ocean but the rate at which microfuana grow and populate the rock. Youe second statement about the diversity being the greater point of emphasis is spot on. It's that diversity that grows and populates the rock from the endless supply of life and life support thr ocean gives that makes it truly amazing.

Also most liverock is in the ocean for years not months. The claim that you can't support sps with all dry rock wasnt made here, just that it is a much longer and harder journey. Some people do it with success but many more struggle to keep a simple Monti alive nevermind grow.

Also saying going all loverock guarantees success isn't true either. You still need peopwe husbandry, to know what you're doing, make smart livestock choices, lighting,dosing, etc. Its just an easier path to start with for many and the issues with dinos or cyanos doesn't seem to be as common going this route.

I've done both as well and after doing a mix live vs dry I won't ever look back. Still a lot of work but I'll take some crabs and macros that I can deal with anyway while benefitting from the diversity of the mixrofuana

 

[User1]

TBS Has closed for good it seems. They decided with Covid and their age it wasn't worth the trouble. He said on a thread on another site he may be willing to sell his aquaculture site lease. Sucks but they are in their 60s and 70s, so it makes sense.

Yes, he is looking for a buyer. I know he spoke to one last week. He would like to retire and I honestly do not blame him

 

[PghReef]

Yes, he is looking for a buyer. I know he spoke to one last week. He would like to retire and I honestly do not blame him

Sad, I've never ordered from him and would continue to go with kp but it's always sad to see such a reputable business go

 

[User1]

Sad, I've never ordered from him and would continue to go with kp but it's always sad to see such a reputable business go

Richard is a heck of a guy. I personally don't know him but have exchanged a lot of emails over the years. Talking about diving in the colder waters of Monterey, his job, and life in general. I remember on another forum he was even talking about men's health and why it is important.

I know that may sound odd but we sort of dread a few check up things as we age and pass 45 I talked to him about it and honestly it made the difference of me going to an appointment. Things like that are priceless even though it is unrelated to the hobby.

2020 was a horrible year for him weather wise as I understand it and looking at his posts. Covid was another thing. I'm not sure what sort of money we are talking about or what it would bring in but on the surface it seems like a no brainer. I love the ocean. I love to dive. I dislike my current work. Too bad I don't live in Florida

Success comes to those who take a chance I guess.

 

[>>klong<<]

Richard is a heck of a guy. I personally don't know him but have exchanged a lot of emails over the years. Talking about diving in the colder waters of Monterey, his job, and life in general. I remember on another forum he was even talking about men's health and why it is important.

I know that may sound odd but we sort of dread a few check up things as we age and pass 45 I talked to him about it and honestly it made the difference of me going to an appointment. Things like that are priceless even though it is unrelated to the hobby.

2020 was a horrible year for him weather wise as I understand it and looking at his posts. Covid was another thing. I'm not sure what sort of money we are talking about or what it would bring in but on the surface it seems like a no brainer. I love the ocean. I love to dive. I dislike my current work. Too bad I don't live in Florida

Success comes to those who take a chance I guess.

Sounds like we're at similar spots . . . Thanks for sharing.

 

[CMMorgan]

Just was going online to order Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock and saw that they are not shipping or taking orders due to covid. Have been waiting so long to get to this point and now not sure if I should wait or look elsewhere.

Hey @skinnywater66 ... we're neighbors. I'm in Deep Creek. You and I are in teh same boat. I was on the list for live sand and rock from TBS when they pulled the plug. I have since been in contact with Gulf Live Rock and Salty Bottoms. GLR said he was actively going out and he could supply - but IBH... there was something off putting about him. Even with living so close, he was adamant on shipping. Salty Bottoms, Debbie, has been very sweet and she reached out saying they should be heading out next week with the boat. She will update me and let me know. I am on their wait list.
If I hear back, I can let you know. #reeferroadtrip

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

I usually go with a bunch of dry rock create the scape I want and then get a small piece of dry rock. I takes a while but is a lot cheaper. Depends on how patient you are.

 

[skinnywater66]

Hey @skinnywater66 ... we're neighbors. I'm in Deep Creek. You and I are in teh same boat. I was on the list for live sand and rock from TBS when they pulled the plug. I have since been in contact with Gulf Live Rock and Salty Bottoms. GLR said he was actively going out and he could supply - but IBH... there was something off putting about him. Even with living so close, he was adamant on shipping. Salty Bottoms, Debbie, has been very sweet and she reached out saying they should be heading out next week with the boat. She will update me and let me know. I am on their wait list.
If I hear back, I can let you know. #reeferroadtrip

Thanks, that would be awesome. I'm starting to look around to see where I can get some but was so excited by Tampa Bay Saltwater.

 

[CMMorgan]

Thanks, that would be awesome. I'm starting to look around to see where I can get some but was so excited by Tampa Bay Saltwater.

Hi Skinny... SaltyBottoms has sand. I gave up waiting and ordered Tropic Eden. Still thinking of heading up to TBS if they decide to have an open house day for locals.