Dry Rock vs Live Rock

[Reef_in_Denver]

Hi All,

I have been doing some general research on live and dry rock and just wanted to hear everyone's opinions and experiences with both.

It seems as though dry rock is far less expensive, and I somewhat like the fact that it has never been "used" before and seems "clean".

Live Rock is useful for the bacteria it brings, but I have this weird itch about someone having it in their tank before me...

Some things to note about my setup:
Not Currently Running - Starting from Scratch
75G + 35 G Sump/Refug
Time is not a factor(I.E. it is OK if it has to sit for weeks/months) - Want to have it stocked by Summer so I have a few month to cycle etc.
900 GPH return flow
swc 160 Xtreme Cone Skimmer

Any insight you guys could provide is much appreciated!

 

[Rhino]

I will only ever use dry rock again. I added a few pieces of live to seed my last tank, before I know it I have flat worms, feather dusters, and other pests everywhere. Not worth the head ache and certainly not worth the stupidly high cost of live rock. Reefrocks.net can get me 50lbs of base rock for $85 shipped.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[tinkerman]

i won't do lr again to many unwanted pests. The good life you get is nice but not worth it in my opinion. I would do some nice porous rock like from BRS or one of the other rock places. I would acid wash and bleach it just to be safe. I have set up a tank with BRS rock and acid washed it and there was plenty of stuff that came off it. dead rock saves you money. Just don't used south sea's base rock, I find it is really solid rock.