Dry or Live Rock?

[Midrats]

I need 150lbs:
If I buy LR from TBS lbs will be $850.00 shipped..Seems ABSERD
If I but DR from Natures Ocean it will be $150.00 shipped
I will save $700.00... SEVEN HUNDRED

So, is it worth curing for 1 month? My tank will be read in 3 weeks.. Yes
Is it worth growing over the next year with bacteria and additives without hickhickers.. I say Yes
I can custom the aquascaping before adding water. Yes

I might even get a really nice peace of LR rock and watch it for 1 month then add it to the tank.

I say so.... Would you do it?!

Not ABSURD at all, it's the most important part of your system in my opinion. You save $700 and get a bunch of ballast if you go the dry route. Hitchhikers are good. It's not like Rutger Hauer is going to pop out of there. Maybe a crab or two. Nothing that can't easily be addressed. Save money on something else, not the foundation of your system.

 

[cumbeje]

Thanks for the share! Your tank looks amazing and 700 gallons wow! What company did you buy your dry rock from? Did you cure it? And how long did it really take to turn from white to purple? Thanks!

I bought rock from BRS. I did not cure it. It probably took about 3 months to really start seeing coraline algae start taking hold. Basically little purple specs everywhere. About 6 months in the rocks were pretty nice looking. The picture is 8 months in.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Not ABSURD at all, it's the most important part of your system in my opinion. You save $700 and get a bunch of ballast if you go the dry route. Hitchhikers are good. It's not like Rutger Hauer is going to pop out of there. Maybe a crab or two. Nothing that can't easily be addressed. Save money on something else, not the foundation of your system.

Ok, Is it easy to get rid of flatworms? or those M shrimps? I also once had bubble algae that i never could get rid of.. Are there solutions for these kind of pests or do you just deal with them forever?

 

[Neo Jeo]

I bought rock from BRS. I did not cure it. It probably took about 3 months to really start seeing coraline algae start taking hold. Basically little purple specs everywhere. About 6 months in the rocks were pretty nice looking. The picture is 8 months in.

When you got the LR did you put it into a quarantine tank and watch it for a bit? Or just added it?

 

[Neo Jeo]

Rutger Hauer

and hahha

 

[Pittsford_Pets]

Ancient reef that is now dry and mined. Yep. Best price I could find. I used 2 boxes without much to spare for my 90. Had fun breaking, shaping and gluing the pieces. Recommend Apoxie-Sculpt, gel super glue, and BCI drying accelerator to build a rock scape. Got the Apoxie-Sculpt (natural color) through Amazon, too. Here's a pic of the rock scape made from 2 boxes to give you an idea of how much you have to work with:

That’s a pretty cool scape! Is that a recent build or do you have updated pics?

 

[Midrats]

Ok, Is it easy to get rid of flatworms? or those M shrimps? I also once had bubble algae that i never could get rid of.. Are there solutions for these kind of pests or do you just deal with them forever?

You're not going to get flatworms on Florida rock, Valonia either. Nor will you get Aiptasia. You can outsmart a crustacean. They really aren't an issue. In fact a lot of the ones you get are cool like porcelain crabs and pistol shrimp.

I know it seems like a big investment but it's worth it. I consider it mandatory equipment.

 

[Midrats]

and hahha

I'm glad somebody got that one

 

[FloridianReefer]

Im starting a new 90g tank! I have been reading about live and dry rock. I really can’t make up my mind. These are my thoughts.

Live-Amazing, Fun, Easy but you can get pests and unwanted things and it’s $$$
Dry-easy to work with , cheap but can leach phosphates? You have to soak it? Takes FOREVER to grow stuff on it? Still causes brown algae blooms . Where is the best place to get it from RC I read?

Now I can mix the 2 but then what if 1 live rock has a flatworm and now I’m screwed???

I really don’t know what way to go...

Please help and thanks for your time in advance

I just started researching this too. I haven't used this company but I might go with them check out the link. http://www.apurplereef.com/products

 

[Neo Jeo]

I just started researching this too. I haven't used this company but I might go with them check out the link. http://www.apurplereef.com/products

It looks cool but it's replicate and not real coraline. I personally want real growth on it

 

[Neo Jeo]

You're not going to get flatworms on Florida rock, Valonia either. Nor will you get Aiptasia. You can outsmart a crustacean. They really aren't an issue. In fact a lot of the ones you get are cool like porcelain crabs and pistol shrimp.

I know it seems like a big investment but it's worth it. I consider it mandatory equipment.

Is there any other place then TBS?

 

[FloridianReefer]

It looks cool but it's replicate and not real coraline. I personally want real growth on it

Oh its not real coraline? I didnt know that I thought it was real.

 

[Midrats]

Is there any other place then TBS?

There are, but not that ship in water. That is the real difference. Call Richard and talk to him, he's a good guy.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Oh its not real coraline? I didnt know that I thought it was real.

Nope is manufactured

 

[FloridianReefer]

Nope is manufactured

So its just purple paint? How is it manufactured?

 

[Neo Jeo]

So its just purple paint? How is it manufactured?

Multiple Shades and layers of purples and pinks replicate the look, feel, and performance of coralline encrusted coral reef. Natural calcium carbonates are binded together during our labor intensive manufacturing process.

 

[FloridianReefer]

Multiple Shades and layers of purples and pinks replicate the look, feel, and performance of coralline encrusted coral reef. Natural calcium carbonates are binded together during our labor intensive manufacturing process.

Ok. I get it. Thx

 

[Ramon Estevez]

I started with Dry rock but for accent pieces I went to LFS to get exactly the rock I picture in my head for my tank. Of course in this hobby there will always be something in the tank either from coral purchases or livestock.

 

[Old Glory]

Not to hi-jack a thread but I have to ask a question. Have you introduced coraline? If so did you introduce while curing or after it was in the tank? If so how did you introduce? Can you introduce during the curing or would you need to put a light on the tub to do any good?

Coraline came in on the snails and frag plugs after the rock was in the tank. Not sure if you can introduce while curing. You probably could if you used a lighted heated tank to cure in.

 

[Old Glory]

Thanks for your story! I ordered Bio spira yesterday and im linking the info Dr Tims and Bio Digest, can you add all of this at once? Or over time? and on top of Stability? Help me walk through the steps, I would appreciate it!

I did it in steps. One week Dr Tims thhe next week Birospira...etc