Live Rock or Dry Rock

[MikeCRK]

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!

You can always get some water ready and put it for a time being in the container with some air stone in it for circulation

 

[jabberwock]

Thanks, I'll check them out!

Yep, or TBS, Tampa Bay Saltwater. Same deal, but I did local pick up to eliminate 2 days of box travel.

 

[Thresher's Reef]

You can always get some water ready and put it for a time being in the container with some air stone in it for circulation

I like that idea too, sounds a little more feasible for me!

 

[PotatoPig]

My 2c:

If you’re starting out go with dry rock and bottle bac to get your system started out and then build out your tank slowly. When you’re ready think about purposefully adding biodiversity.

A full tank of ocean live rock is going to cost you an enormous amount of money for something you may decide isn’t for you, is tougher to aqua scape and is going to bring in a lot of good **and** bad critters/algae etc that is going to put you on a really steep learning curve with pests on Day 1 - it’s basically setting you up to rush rush rush something that should be done with patience.

Get a handle on quarantine, pest control, nutrient control, general maintenance, find an aqua scape you like, etc etc - and while you’re at it pick up what you can from various threads on pest control, disease control, algae control etc etc on here until you’re comfortable with risks and risk management, then either add biodiversity via budget routes or splash out a bit on some real live rock.

 

[JGT]

Did 300+ pounds. No cycle, GHA, Dino’s, cyano, diatoms, turf algae, etc. Not cheap. But what you spend in $ you will save in headaches and money to try and combat all the crap that dry rock will cause.

 

[Thresher's Reef]

Yep, or TBS, Tampa Bay Saltwater. Same deal, but I did local pick up to eliminate 2 days of box travel.

I get that for sure! And you made it a family trip so that it wasn't just wasting gas. I unfortunately live alone and just got started in life so I try not to add unnecessary miles to my vehicles and stuff until I get some more funds under my belt lol

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

I’ve gotta vote for caribsea purple dry rock. Easier to aqua scape, algae isn’t as unsightly when it’s not against a bright white backdrop, and no hitchhikers. I’m still scarred from bringing in a gorilla crab on some live rock ten years ago that proceeded to kill half the tank.

 

[MikeCRK]

and combat all the crap that dry rock will cause

if you do it smart it is not that hard

I am starting on dry rock, and then when it is started putting in some builders of the live rock. It does the trick and some algae is nothing to worry about if you have a proper cleaning team

ah yeah... and I use NSW for water changes

 

[JGT]

I’ve gotta vote for caribsea purple dry rock. Easier to aqua scape, algae isn’t as unsightly when it’s not against a bright white backdrop, and no hitchhikers. I’m still scarred from bringing in a gorilla crab on some live rock ten years ago that proceeded to kill half the

if you do it smart it is not that hard

I am starting on dry rock, and then when it is started putting in some builders of the live rock. It does the trick and some algae is nothing to worry about if you have a proper cleaning team

ah yeah... and I use NSW for water changes

How old is your tank?

 

[MikeCRK]

How old is your tank?

old enough to sustain SPS. Why you ask?

 

[JGT]

Just curious. From your reply it sounded like it might be newish as you said “ I am starting on dry rock…” Eventually dry rock will support a reef tank. It just takes longer.

 

[MikeCRK]

Just curious. From your reply it sounded like it might be newish as you said “ I am starting on dry rock…” Eventually dry rock will support a reef tank. It just takes longer.

Yes it does take longer. But knowing how to keep the balance does the trick isn't it? I am watching this thread to see how many myths I can spot here I am in the hobby for a while, yes came from freshwater, but closer I look in marine scene more I see the BS is strong on internet boards too

 

[penguinexdeus]

I've used everything - completely dry marco, caribsea/ reef rock, 'live' rock from local fish store, and ocean live rock. They each have pros and cons. If I do another tank id get a good amount of ocean live rock and build around that.

If you want to make a fancy structure with epoxy/ mortar you kind of need to go with dry stuff - but definitely want some healthy ocean cultured rock in there and in sump.

Can minimize pests by keeping the rock quarantined in a filled/ aerated/ heated bin and using traps for crabs/worms. And/or pick out the critters you don't want.

 

[Waters]

So much hate for dry rock lol. They both work......each has to be handled a little differently. I will never set up another tank without using dry rock. Just because a tank is using dry doesn't mean they are guaranteed problems.....like I said, they just need to be handled differently than a live rock tank.

 

[MrGisonni]

Live rock all day!!!! Sure, you can more easily create a scape with something like "life rock" or epoxy other dry rock together before you add water, but.....

 

[Thresher's Reef]

Did 300+ pounds. No cycle, GHA, Dino’s, cyano, diatoms, turf algae, etc. Not cheap. But what you spend in $ you will save in headaches and money to try and combat all the crap that dry rock will cause.

Beautiful tank! I dream to have something like that one day!

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

How old is your tank?

Coming up on 3 years. Sps growing happily!

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Since you’re just starting out, some context and history around your choices might help.

I’d only refer to 100% live ocean rock as rock that is sourced directly from a tropical reef. Generally Australian or Indo Pacific. Once the established norm but now harder to source and very expensive in Nth America. Still the gold standard, imported from the reefs that you’re trying to recreate. Likely reasonable die off due to shipping time, chance of undesirable hitchhikers.

Live maricultured rock from the gulf. It’s been around for a while. When 100% live ocean rock was plentiful and the norm, gulf rock was probably unfairly considered to be its red headed cousin. Its prestige has increased considerably since, basically because it’s the next best option for live rock aficionados. Less die off due to reduced shipping time, chance of undesirable hitchhikers.

Dry rock is either mined ancient reef rock or manufactured. Often coated in purple to mimic the look of live rock, some feature bacterial coatings that purport to add life. Be sceptical of these claims. You’re effectively starting from a biological zero point. Has also been around for a while, In the ‘rock wall’ days of aquascaping many used dry rock as base rock under a top layer of live rock. Dead start, no chance of hitchhikers.

You can achieve success with all of these options or a combination of each, but also failure. The failure rate cited with dry rock starts seems a bit misleading. I remember plenty of issues on forums when 100% ocean live rock was the norm. Now, dry rock is almost the norm so no surprise that there are plenty of failures using it too. Understand the differences of each and the precautions you should look at to prevent the common issues encountered with each type of rock.

Hope it goes well whatever you choose.

 

[Thresher's Reef]

Since you’re just starting out, some context and history around your choices might help.

I’d only refer to 100% live ocean rock as rock that is sourced directly from a tropical reef. Generally Australian or Indo Pacific. Once the established norm but now harder to source and very expensive in Nth America. Still the gold standard, imported from the reefs that you’re trying to recreate. Likely reasonable die off due to shipping time, chance of undesirable hitchhikers.

Live maricultured rock from the gulf. It’s been around for a while. When 100% live ocean rock was plentiful and the norm, gulf rock was probably unfairly considered to be its red headed cousin. Its prestige has increased considerably since, basically because it’s the next best option for live rock aficionados. Less die off due to reduced shipping time, chance of undesirable hitchhikers.

Dry rock is either mined ancient reef rock or manufactured. Often coated in purple to mimic the look of live rock, some feature bacterial coatings that purport to add life. Be sceptical of these claims. You’re effectively starting from a biological zero point. Has also been around for a while, In the ‘rock wall’ days of aquascaping many used dry rock as base rock under a top layer of live rock. Dead start, no chance of hitchhikers.

You can achieve success with all of these options or a combination of each, but also failure. The failure rate cited with dry rock starts seems a bit misleading. I remember plenty of issues on forums when 100% ocean live rock was the norm. Now, dry rock is almost the norm so no surprise that there are plenty of failures using it too. Understand the differences of each and the precautions you should look at to prevent the common issues encountered with each type of rock.

Hope it goes well whatever you choose.

Thanks! That was a good definition and what I needed exactly, I'll try to do more research and make my decision when it comes time....just hope I make the right one lol

 

[Propane]

How big is the tank.