Going to be attempting to start a small 30 gal reef and want to know the best way to go about it. I'm quite patient and don't mind taking time with getting it going but looking for tips and tricks to help along the way. But first question is dead or alive?
Live or dead rock?
- Thread starter Foster_goodcall
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saltyphish
Certified Sand Groomer
Depends on what you want. Live rock will also add hitchhikers. Where dead rock will not. The people who prefer dead rock over live rock want to avoid hitchhikers because some are pests that can destroy a tank and would rather take the safe route. The other group preferring live over dead rock wants the hitchhikers because they add diversity to a reef tank and I have to admit it is always neat discovering something new 6 mths later, that something being a good hitchhiker. But there is also the risk of it being a bad hitchhiker.
Foster_goodcall
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Ah okay how much of a problem are the bad hitchhikers?
I was planning on getting all dead and then getting all the stats to a balance then adding a few pieces of live to kick start it before adding corals?
Does that sound like the right way to go or should I go a different way about it?
And what is a good hitchhiker? Can it be brought and added?
I was planning on getting all dead and then getting all the stats to a balance then adding a few pieces of live to kick start it before adding corals?
Does that sound like the right way to go or should I go a different way about it?
And what is a good hitchhiker? Can it be brought and added?
saltyphish
Certified Sand Groomer
Some bad hitchhikers are certain crabs, mantis shrimps, Certain Nudibranches, Certain worms and the list can keep going. Yes you can add some of the good hitchhikers like good crabs and shrimp, pods and so on. You can do as you suggested and use a few pieces of live to kick start.
You will get hitchhikers no matter which method you go. Eventually you will encounter the nastiest of nastys once you start adding corals. To me there's no benefit to using dry rock unless you like looking at an empty tank for a couple months. I have all kinds of great creatures that came in my live rock. The only bad critters I have had to deal with came from corals and frags. People like to argue cost, but there's premium live rock at the same cost as dry.
Noah707
Community Member
Well from what I hear uncured live rock, or LR that's sent through postage can smell horrendous while curing..so if your tanks in a bedroom that's something to consider. with dry rock you have to have a different method of cycling, it's much simpler to cycle with live rock.
Thunderfan
Active Member
Dry rock all the way. I buy mine from Marcos rocks and it is fantastic, no organic matter, super clean, and very well packaged Plus he's a great guy when you talk to him very helpful. Will be the only place i buy rock for future builds.
bairdimusprime
Bill
i do 80% dry and 20% "real reef rock" that way i get seeding and no hitchhikers!
