Dry Rock Vs Live Rock?

[TaylorLee]

Im starting a new FOWLR and im eventually going to upgrade to corals. I was wondering what would be better to put in my tank... Dry rock or live rock?

Which would you suggests? Why do you suggest it? Any info is good info to me

Help me out!

Thanks!
-Taylor

 

[ChoxRox]

It really depends on your budget. Dry Rock is cheap and does the job well, but will take longer to cycle.

 

[Paul C.]

Well, im no expert... But i have live rock. Was told by the LFS that the way to go. Im 9 months into this new journey, and so far i have found Bristlworms, and mini bristle stars.. All good stuff that i assume came as hitch hikers. Im sure thers bad hitch hikers that can come with the live rock. Gamble i guess..

 

[Bry]

My own personal preference is live rock over dry rock. I love the hitchhikers! It really is a money vs time issue. My experience has been that while dry rock is cheaper, it takes little longer to cycle and to color up and look nice. It is a hobby that requires patience but I like the visual jump start that live rock brings with it. I would just suggest that if you go with live rock to use a reputable dealer and not bargain shop. Getting a bad batch of live rock that hasn't been handled well can take longer to cycle with enormous amounts of die off.

It's a gamble but that's half the fun with Live rock - IMO.

 

[GratefulReef]

Bristleworms aren't good hitchhikers. As far as I know anyway they are something you'll want to get rid of before it's out of control.

 

[Detroit_306]

Dry rock for me from now on...none of the bad, all of the good

 

[scooterc268]

Bristleworms aren't good hitchhikers. As far as I know anyway they are something you'll want to get rid of before it's out of control.

Bristle worms are "good" per say. They are scavengers and eat uneaten fish food and dead critters. I have plenty in my tank and they have never caused a problem.

They are worms which are not good at all, but I wouldn't put them in the bad category

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

 

[GratefulReef]

All ive really ever heard was they are bad. I have heard they may damage some corals as well. I would think with proper cuc you would get the same benefits without the possible harmful effects not to say one of us is wrong or right but I would personally get rid of them.

 

[Mufasa31]

Since money is a factor for me, I use a combination of dry rock and live rock when I set up a tank.

Dry will become live rock over time.

If money is not an issue, then I would use all live rock to cut down cycle time.

 

[jgraz]

Bristleworms aren't good hitchhikers. As far as I know anyway they are something you'll want to get rid of before it's out of control.

I'll take every bristle worm you find. I started with dry rock and seeded with a bit of live from my other tank. I went that way mostly because it allowed me to scape freely without the concern of keeping thing wet. Plus the money saved was a plus. And I avoided the bad hitchhikers like aptasia, majano, and others.

 

[Gambit]

If you have the money and dont want to wait long, Live rock.

If you dont care and dont mind waiting or dont have the money dry rock and then add a few pieces of Live rock to get it going. That is my opinion.

 

[Kbra]

Money aside, I went with dry rock on my new build to avoid starting off the bat with pests.

 

[TaylorLee]

seems like we have about an even poll. anyone else have their opinion they'd like to share? time isnt an issue because it will give me time to build my money back up for the skimmer and chiller and heaters needed. so if it takes 2-3 months to cycle dry rock, im perfectly ok with that if it helps keep the bad hitch hikers out of the system

 

[Loki]

Dry rock. For no reason will I ever start a tank with love rock.

I got pukani rock from BRS and I love it. It is cheap compared to live rock and I have no aptasia or bristle worms or any other type of hitch hikers. As far as the time to cycle. Who cares. My cycle took just under 8 weeks. During that time I kept myself busy with other tank stuff.

As far as coloring up it really doesn't take very long and you can really appreciate it once you get the color going.

Here are some pictures. Every thread should have some!

This was maybe 3-4 weeks after my cycle was done. Late January to early February

I can't seem to find an older full tank shot. This was probably taken in May maybe early June. I am guessing based on what's in the tank.

It really doesn't take that long to get color on the rock. I didn't seed with live rock either because that defeats the purpose of using dry rock IMO.

 

[Loki]

Correction. The second full tank shot is more recent. More like July to August, but you get the picture. I can't seem to find an older one on my phone.

 

[NanaReefer]

Personally having set up 2 tanks using Live & Dry. I'll never use anything but Dry again. I am not a lover of unwanted critters, pests nor algae. I do love knowing exactly what is in my tank.
My second tank (upgraded) I used BRS Dry Pukani. Cooked it for 2 weeks. Added it to my tank and used SeaChem Stability for 2 weeks. DONE! Almost 2yrs later, never have had an algae issue, no pests, no unwanted critters. That is why I prefer using dry dead rock.
Using live rock leaves to much to chance. You get tons of die off. You get algae spores of all kinds. You get conflicts!

 

[chad vossen]

99% dry rock in any time I set up a tank. I usually fill the sump with live rock from another tank to cycle it faster, and to seed the dry rock. It's cheaper, and I'm located near Bulk Reef Supply and have the ability to find some really nice rock.

 

[chad vossen]

Dry shelf rock. Best Aquascape I've ever done.

 

[Rmorales13]

Why does dry rock take much longer to cure?

 

[Loki]

Why does dry rock take much longer to cure?

It has no living things on it to help the cycle along. Live rock already has some nitrifying bacteria to start turning ammonia into nitrites as soon as you put it into the tank. With dry rock since you don't have those bacteria you have to wait until there is an ammonia source and then they show up a little later.

I still say dry rock is the way to go