Live Rock or Dry Rock

[Thresher's Reef]

So I am trying to get into the hobby and so far I've got my stand and tank, but there is a conflict that is still going on in my mind. Should I go with dry rock or live rock in my first tank when I'm ready to build it? I know about the parasite issue with live rock, but I've also heard of problems being caused with dry rock. What do you guys use and what would you suggest? Any advice is appreciated greatly, thanks!

 

[mjw011689]

established live rock whenever possible, and your tank with have fewer problems overall. Th eres never any guarantees, but the tanks I’ve started with dry rock have issues I never had before in all the tanks I started with real live rock. Phosphate control seems to be the big one for me. With my dry rock tanks, I’ve bottomed out my phos on each one and as a result have had nasty algae phases. They’ve gone away, but not without a lot of work. Never had any problems with Dino’s or cyano in tanks that I had real live rock in.

 

[Uncle99]

I use Carib-sea dry rock, the purple, but expensive stuff, would take a year or so to purple up so way ahead, looks mature right away.
To much trouble with wet stuff in the past for me.
Much, much happier now and no unexpected surprises.
It works both ways so simply a choice.

 

[MikeCRK]

Live Rock or Dry Rock​

the only Rock:

and when it comes to the rocks. Any good looking and suitable to marine tank
The ugly pieces are also good as long as they have good perforation. You can play Michelangelo then!

and come up with something like this, without butchering your budget:

Your imagination (and health of inhabitants) is your limit. Just the fake pink rocks or the ones which look like tortillas are pushing me off a bit.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Live ocean rock 100%. You're "ugly phase" will be minimized or most likely nonexistent, not to mention the diversity introduced to the tank.

 

[RocketEngineer]

If you’re going to glue the rockwork together to make overhangs and such, go dry. If you’re going to just stack the rocks, get wet.

 

[Thresher's Reef]

If you’re going to glue the rockwork together to make overhangs and such, go dry. If you’re going to just stack the rocks, get wet.

So is there no way to stick live rock together?

 

[Budman93]

So I am trying to get into the hobby and so far I've got my stand and tank, but there is a conflict that is still going on in my mind. Should I go with dry rock or live rock in my first tank when I'm ready to build it? I know about the parasite issue with live rock, but I've also heard of problems being caused with dry rock. What do you guys use and what would you suggest? Any advice is appreciated greatly, thanks!

10000000% do not just get all dry rock. At the very least get a couple pieces of cured live rock from a trusted local fish store and use it to see your tank and the rest of your dry rock.
This gives the bacteria and microfauna in your tank months of a headstart as opposed to if you just went all dry.

 

[Thresher's Reef]

10000000% do not just get all dry rock. At the very least get a couple pieces of cured live rock from a trusted local fish store and use it to see your tank and the rest of your dry rock.
This gives the bacteria and microfauna in your tank months of a headstart as opposed to if you just went all dry.

Appreciate the advice! I unfortunately live in an area where the closest LFS is 2 hours away... is there any brands of live rock you would recommend that I could maybe order online?

 

[JGT]

Live, live, live,live,live. Save yourself the headaches that dry will give you.

 

[jabberwock]

Let's differentiate further. No dry rock, no fake purple rock, no LFS live wet rock, YES to "ocean live rock" everyday, all day, hug a hitchhiker, high five your self for the WIN!!!

Check my build thread for details.

 

[jabberwock]

I see you are in Georgia, just like me. Drive to Tampa for local pick up and make the slam dunk on success!!!!

 

[Thresher's Reef]

I see you are in Georgia, just like me. Drive to Tampa for local pick up and make the slam dunk on success!!!!

That's a 6 hour drive for me

 

[jabberwock]

That's a 6 hour drive for me

It was 8 for me (one way). Turned it into a long weekend with the fam, worth every penny.

 

[MikeCRK]

That's a 6 hour drive for me

Go for it! This is the time for my LFS trip and back (seriously!). There are no so goodies in the Irish waters

 

[Thresher's Reef]

It was 8 for me (one way). Turned it into a long weekend with the fam, worth every penny.

Wow, that's dedication! Idk if I'll go that route due to money and not wanting to put that much wear and tear on my truck lol but I'll keep it in mind....it's not out of the question

 

[MikeCRK]

Idk if I'll go that route due to money

Man the cost of petrol in my place is €1.59 per litre, yes per one litre this is just an excuse to lose an adventure! Post some pictures from your hunting!

Edit: sorry that's diesel, petrol is €1.69

 

[JGT]

Order from KP Aquatics. Ship it overnight in water to your local airport and pick it up. Wont be sorry.

 

[Thresher's Reef]

Man the cost of petrol in my place is €1.59 per litre, yes per one litre this is just an excuse to lose an adventure! Post some pictures from your hunting!

Edit: sorry that's diesel, petrol is €1.69

I actually just found out they will air mail the rock as well! Just got to make sure my tank is up and running when the rocks show up!

 

[Thresher's Reef]

Order from KP Aquatics. Ship it overnight in water to your local airport and pick it up. Wont be sorry.

Thanks, I'll check them out!