Is it more difficult now?

[Sump Crab]

I have been in the hobby around 15 years now and I am starting to ponder if it is more difficult for newbies now than it was then? When I started you could walk into a LFS and buy beautiful, mature ocean rock that in many cases was already growing coraline algae and harbored tons of excellent microfauna and pods. These days newbies are starting with dry rock and dry sand and are left with what I believe to be a much longer period of time before they can add corals and fish successfully. Am I totally wrong here?

 

[ScottR]

I have been in the hobby around 15 years now and I am starting to ponder if it is more difficult for newbies now than it was then? When I started you could walk into a LFS and buy beautiful, mature ocean rock that in many cases was already growing coraline algae and harbored tons of excellent microfauna and pods. These days newbies are starting with dry rock and dry sand and are left with what I believe to be a much longer period of time before they can add corals and fish successfully. Am I totally wrong here?

Many people are scared off by the hitchhikers that ride on LR. There are lots of horror stories. But I’m one of those LR people. I love all the stuff that comes in on them. I’ve dealt with gorilla crabs and that was tough. But still, nothing better than coralline covered rock from the ocean.

 

[Flux Capacitor]

I know some people have had luck with adding corals pretty quick with dry rock, and being successful with it. I have not been that lucky. My tank has been up for 18 months now, and I’m just able to get acros to survive. I have had a lot of rtn/stn with my test corals. If I had to do it all over again I would to Tampa Bay Live rock.

 

[Sump Crab]

Many people are scared off by the hitchhikers that ride on LR. There are lots of horror stories. But I’m one of those LR people. I love all the stuff that comes in on them. I’ve dealt with gorilla crabs and that was tough. But still, nothing better than coralline covered rock from the ocean.

Honestly true LR brought me into the hobby. All the critters, algaes, and sometimes even coral that came on it was mesmerizing. Not to mention the truly unique and incredible shapes it could come in. All the rock I own was sourced from the ocean (besides one single piece of real reef) from all over the world. I have everything from tonga branch to some TBS. I must be extremely lucky but have dealt with such a small amount of bad hitchhikers I cant really remember any of them (cant forget red planaria though). The hitchiker thing is a little over blown if you ask me and the worst hitchhikers (the ones that really cause damage to coral) are more likely to come from coral farm frags or other hobbyists IME.

 

[Silverfish]

15 years ago our coral choice were limited as was the lighting. So the husbandry was a little easier due to mostly softie tanks.
Now the coal selection is downright exotic and the lights available are capable of growing anything.
Fast forward and you have new reefers trying to grow difficult corals!
Just the tip of the iceberg.

Technology moves fast.

 

[Acid King]

I’m in the process of starting my first salt/reef tank and I would agree that I’m afraid of hitchhikers.

I have a few years experience with fresh and planted tanks and what I took from that experience was that I’m totally fine with waiting and doing things right the first time.

Having spent more than I wanted and re-doing things and killing things off. I’ve learned to have patience and learn the foundations. So I’m all about dry rock and taking it all step by step to have a higher rate of success.

This hobby isn’t cheap and im not made of money

 

[ScottR]

Honestly true LR brought me into the hobby. All the critters, algaes, and sometimes even coral that came on it was mesmerizing. Not to mention the truly unique and incredible shapes it could come in. All the rock I own was sourced from the ocean (besides one single piece of real reef) from all over the world. I have everything from tonga branch to some TBS. I must be extremely lucky but have dealt with such a small amount of bad hitchhikers I cant really remember any of them (cant forget red planaria though). The hitchiker thing is a little over blown if you ask me and the worst hitchhikers (the ones that really cause damage to coral) are more likely to come from coral farm frags or other hobbyists IME.

I have LR in both of my tanks. Just bought some back in November when I started my nano. Different shades of coralline and some nice macro growing on it. Tank is full of pods.

 

[Silverfish]

I’m in the process of starting my first salt/reef tank and I would agree that I’m afraid of hitchhikers.

I have a few years experience with fresh and planted tanks and what I took from that experience was that I’m totally fine with waiting and doing things right the first time.

Having spent more than I wanted and re-doing things and killing things off. I’ve learned to have patience and learn the foundations. So I’m all about dry rock and taking it all step by step to have a higher rate of success.

This hobby isn’t cheap and im not made of money

I totally get that. Back in the day....sorry...most live rock came fm the Pacific. Now most is aquacultured in Florida. So received live rock fm Florida and I had to deal with every hitchhiker as well of course as all the good stuff. Next time used life rock. No diversity at all.....no hitchhikers.
That is until you start getting frags and then boom , you now hv all the critters you didn’t want in the fist place.
It seems more manageable though.

 

[fragit]

I had a system going for about a decade started with live rock back in the late 90s. I tore that down and sold everything years ago. Never had a problem loved all the life on it. 2016 set up a 120 with dry Pukani, it’s been up and down from the start. I am just starting to feel like things are getting into the groove 3 1/2 years later.

 

[Sump Crab]

15 years ago our coral choice were limited as was the lighting. So the husbandry was a little easier due to mostly softie tanks.
Now the coal selection is downright exotic and the lights available are capable of growing anything.
Fast forward and you have new reefers trying to grow difficult corals!
Just the tip of the iceberg.

Technology moves fast.

Some would argue that the MH of the old days are still better than the new fangled LEDs of today. It is true that more and more difficult corals are cared for properly today and that we have a greater variety than ever. This is great for experienced hobbyists but the question I am asking is only taking into account brand new people starting brand new tanks.

But you are totally right, tech and just about everything in the hobby is better now.

 

[ScottR]

I totally get that. Back in the day....sorry...most live rock came fm the Pacific. Now most is aquacultured in Florida. So received live rock fm Florida and I had to deal with every hitchhiker as well of course as all the good stuff. Next time used life rock. No diversity at all.....no hitchhikers.
That is until you start getting frags and then boom , you now hv all the critters you didn’t want in the fist place.
It seems more manageable though.

Most of the corals in our hobby come from the Pacific so it makes sense to add Pacific rock, right? I live on the Pacific and that’s where my rock comes from (Philippines and Indo). I’ve seen lots of threads about Tampa live rock and man, lots of hitchhikers. I typically don’t get much in mine from the Pacific.

 

[ScottR]

Some would argue that the MH of the old days are still better than the new fangled LEDs of today. It is true that more and more difficult corals are cared for properly today and that we have a greater variety than ever. This is great for experienced hobbyists but the question I am asking is only taking into account brand new people starting brand new tanks.

There are some great LEDs out there and some very poor ones. I believe the cheap poor ones have brought a bad name to LED. A good one will take care of corals well but a MH is still ideal IMO.

 

[Silverfish]

I agree. Used pacific rock on my first tank and never dealt w hitchhikers. Just so hard to find now. They also don’t pull it directly fm the reef but aquaculture as well....and I believe they used to air freight. Now I believe it’s shipped so totally different quality.

 

[Sump Crab]

There are some great LEDs out there and some very poor ones. I believe the cheap poor ones have brought a bad name to LED. A good one will take care of corals well but a MH is still ideal IMO.

Ya I run radions to save on energy bill and heat but in a perfect world would still be running 14k MH

 

[HB AL]

Not sure if there is a true correlation but I would not sell any of my Fiji live rock if you had a gun to my head.

 

[S2G]

I think its easier. You have bottled bacteria that works and any info you can imagine at your finger tips.

The problem is the instant gratification mind frame combined with the ridiculously tiny frags that aren't even encrusted yet. Beginners are going from tetras to sps lol

 

[ScottR]

I agree. Used pacific rock on my first tank and never dealt w hitchhikers. Just so hard to find now. They also don’t pull it directly fm the reef but aquaculture as well....and I believe they used to air freight. Now I believe it’s shipped so totally different quality.

I have one LFS that has a 175g tank full of Pacific rock. I love to go and visually inspect and choose my rock.

 

[S2G]

Ive never used Pacific rock but gulf rock has all kinds of things in it. It's the reason I first had puffers. Trying to catch crabs & mantis gets old.

 

[Sump Crab]

I think its easier. You have bottled bacteria that works and any info you can imagine at your finger tips.

The problem is the instant gratification mind frame combined with the ridiculously tiny frags that aren't even encrusted yet. Beginners are going from tetras to sps lol

I just see so many sad, white, brown algae filled beginner tanks on here that it made me wonder. Tanks started with mature ocean rock looked like the ocean from day one. Seems to me that it was easier to start a successful tank back then, I could be wrong though.

 

[Sump Crab]

Ive never used Pacific rock but gulf rock has all kinds of things in it. It's the reason I first had puffers. Trying to catch crabs & mantis gets old.

gulf rock has a ton of "bad" hitchhikers compared to the old pacific stuff we used to get. Thats been my experience anyways.