Dead or alive...

[BornHandy]

I am getting ready to set up, and I am conflicted about live or dead rock.

I get the advantages of keeping pests out by using dead rock, but it seems like in spite of best efforts, hitchhikers find a way in eventually, and you have missed the fun of asking "what's that" from time to time, only to have lost the benefit of the dead rock.

Anyone ever have 100% success in keeping pests out by using dead rock?

 

[MetaKnight101]

I used dead rock never seen a hitch hiker ever. Plus the dead rock will one day be liverock. Also hitch hikers can come from corals too.

 

[BornHandy]

The introduction of corals is what I was referring to when I said hitchhikers will eventually find a way, so was it worth the sacrifice of not seeing the goodies on the live rock...
Have you been hitchhiker free with adding corals to your tank?

 

[MetaKnight101]

The introduction of corals is what I was referring to when I said hitchhikers will eventually find a way, so was it worth the sacrifice of not seeing the goodies on the live rock...
Have you been hitchhiker free with adding corals to your tank?

Well my DT rn is a Fowlr so I don’t have corals so no hitch hikers. However I have a shrimp nano tank with live rock and coral, and yes there is a ton of hitchhikers but they do no harm. It’s really almost impossible to be free of hitch hikers. Though I always thought fish would eat them or at least minimize them.

 

[Maggie321]

For the most part hitchikers are fine. There are a few that are pest, but diversity is key to a healthy tank. Probably my favorite hitchiker is my speghetti worms. I dip my corals to prevent many of the nasties but I rinse the corals pretty hard before I dip them hoping I can grab a few good guys. Probably the best way to prevent unwanted guests is to quarantine your corals before adding them to your tank. Essentially you should decide how much you are willing to stress about hirchikers before you get in too far. Welcoming them with open arms can add diversity and some bad guys, where not having any diversity makes for a boring tank.

 

[squampton]

I would go live rock route, I personally do no believe you will ever see the same level of biodiversity if starting out with dry rock. Or do a 50/50 mix dry/live to save some money.

I live in a place where live rock from the ocean is a thing of the past, and I am not seeing the same level of diversity starting with dry rock, there is some that have come in with corals but nothing like what you would see with rock that has spent time in the ocean.