Buying FL Aquacultured Live Rock

MPCReefer · Sep 1, 2020

New member here. Intent on starting my first reef tank with TB Saltwater, KP, or GulfLiveRock. For the most options with aquascaping, what shapes/sizes of rock should I be requesting? Am not interested in a wall of rock, but looking for interesting pass throughs, caves, etc. for fish and some interesting flat spots for future corals. Planning on around 100lb live rock for a 100 gal system (70 gal DT). Is this possible with live rock? Is that about the correct amount of LR?

xxkenny90xx · Sep 1, 2020

I really like that amount of rock but depending on what rocks you receive you might end up with a wall of rock. You could get away with less rock and have more room for aquascaping

MPCReefer · Sep 1, 2020

Thanks, I keep going back and forth between 80/100 lbs for a 70g DT. May go with less since I can always add more later. My main concern is being able to scape with it since I really do not want a mix of white dry live rock in with the LR.

xxkenny90xx · Sep 1, 2020

80lbs should be fine but it really depends on what the rock looks like. You could always throw the extra in the sump.

Back where it all began · Sep 1, 2020

Tampa Bay saltwater and Richard are great to deal with. I have 110lbs in my 75gal.

MPCReefer · Sep 1, 2020

Back where it all began said:
Tampa Bay saltwater and Richard are great to deal with. I have 110lbs in my 75gal.

Were you able to request certain sizes/shapes with TBS?

ShreddyE · Sep 1, 2020

Why not just take a hammer and chisel to the bigger stuff and break it down into more managable pieces to epoxy/glue together?

Back where it all began · Sep 1, 2020

MPCReefer said:
Were you able to request certain sizes/shapes with TBS?

Not really, but most was great shape and I broke up a few larger rocks to form smaller ones. Rocks shipped wet from Tampa to JFK since I live in Manhattan, everything was alive and no putrid smell.

JohnnyBeagle · Sep 1, 2020

I have gulf live rock in both of my reef tanks and I'm really happy with them. Really great looking rocks and arrived quickly

LRT · Sep 1, 2020

I've only ever ordered from gulfliverock. The primo rock. Comes with tons of inverts, bivalves, rock flower anenome, clams, oysters you name it, it has it.
Dan will actually hand pick special pieces and sizes depending on what you need.
Highly reccomend

MPCReefer · Sep 2, 2020

Appreciate the feedback so far. So, if I do go with live rock, do I need to have lights ready to go as soon as the rock arrives or do I have some time before they are needed?

LRT · Sep 2, 2020

MPCReefer said:
Appreciate the feedback so far. So, if I do go with live rock, do I need to have lights ready to go as soon as the rock arrives or do I have some time before they are needed?

Yes your going to want to be waiting at airport for it to arrive. Your going to want to get it in water immediately. There is tons of life on the rock. The shorter its out of water the less die off you will have.
If you order the premium rock. Which is same exact rock that rock n reef sells.
Expect tons of life.
Check out this RFA that came on mine.
And a picture of a tray that you can expect to recieve.

I would add that since it so hot id plan on die off. Don't put it directly in display tank. Id clean it up and put it in brute can with small light a few hours a day. Daily water changes until it cures. Shouldn't take too long.

MPCReefer · Sep 2, 2020

Great looking rock, LRT! This will be my initial setup so was planning on curing in the DT. Should I reconsider that? Actually thinking about picking it up and skipping deliver since I am in S Fla and could possibly meet KP at or on their way to Ft Lauderdale - if that is something they would consider.

LRT · Sep 3, 2020

MPCReefer said:
Great looking rock, LRT! This will be my initial setup so was planning on curing in the DT. Should I reconsider that? Actually thinking about picking it up and skipping deliver since I am in S Fla and could possibly meet KP at or on their way to Ft Lauderdale - if that is something they would consider.

Not sure about KP ive only ever ordered from gulfliverock. I believe live rock n reef has same premium rock...
That being said if this is brand new set up yes DT would be fine I suppose. But rather suggest this rock being placed in mature system considering the life and corals that comes on it.
If you go that route your still all good. Clean it up. Add a bottle of bacteria for cycling. Maybe have an extra on hand for daily water changes until rock is done curing and die off if gone.
I did it that way. You can too

marcwjj · Sep 4, 2020

I'm starting a new 32g reef tank and order live rocks from KP aquatics, rocks were shipped in water last night and I'm expecting them today delivered by 10:30 AM! very excited to see what comes out of it.

Phillip is very helpful with my order, but for submerged-in-water overnight UPS shipping, he suggested to ship max. 15lbs.

X-37B · Sep 4, 2020

Here is my 120.
35lbs live rock and 35 caribsea dry.
Caribsea has some nice shapes.
Just depends on the look you want.

MPCReefer · Sep 7, 2020

marcwjj said:
I'm starting a new 32g reef tank and order live rocks from KP aquatics, rocks were shipped in water last night and I'm expecting them today delivered by 10:30 AM! very excited to see what comes out of it.

Phillip is very helpful with my order, but for submerged-in-water overnight UPS shipping, he suggested to ship max. 15lbs.

Marc, how did the rock look? Any die off or spike in ammonia?

MPCReefer · Sep 7, 2020

Sorry, Marc, just saw your update post. Please disregard!

marcwjj · Sep 8, 2020

MPCReefer said:
Sorry, Marc, just saw your update post. Please disregard!

No problem! It went well! No bad smells and no spike of ammonia. I only have 0.5 ppm of ammonia after 2 days, almost makes me wonder if I’m using the API test wrong...