Live Rock or the MyReef-Rock Package?

[FragTomas]

I ordered a box of Arka myreef-rock mixed 9-40cm two weeks ago for my new aquarium. The tank's dimensions are 70x50x50cm, with Kessil a360x lighting and Tunze 9000 series for filtration. I'm still unsure about having a background, but I plan to set it up in a peninsula style if I can rearrange my living space accordingly. The corals I intend to keep are mainly mushrooms, rics, LPS corals, and a few simple SPS corals, mostly montiporas. I'd like to have a substrate as well, but I'm worried I might regret it, although I can always remove it later.

I'm seeking advice on whether these rocks, which seem denser, heavy as concrete and more crystalline, can be used to create an appealing composition. Since it's challenging to obtain good live rock, I thought of trying these, but I'm now unsure whether I can make a better arrangement with this packaged or if I should return it by tomorrow. What are your thoughts? Should I return it and go with dry rocks, or is it better to use this package? Is this enough, or should I get another package? I don't want to mix with other types of LR. Price-wise, they are roughly the same, so cost is not a consideration right now.

 

[twentyleagues]

I've never seen "reef" rock with crystal composition before. I believe for crystals to form it would have had to have been mined from underground, like marco rock. Which is usable but I'm unsure if the composition of the crystals could be detrimental to your tank. It's probably quartz which could leach silicates. I dont know for sure though just throwing it out there. As for using rock like that minus the crystals I've used Marco before and will be again in my upcoming build. Looks like you could use it for some good base rock and top off with a little live rock to finish the scape, help save money. Again not sure on the crystal part.

 

[FragTomas]

I've never seen "reef" rock with crystal composition before. I believe for crystals to form it would have had to have been mined from underground, like marco rock. Which is usable but I'm unsure if the composition of the crystals could be detrimental to your tank. It's probably quartz which could leach silicates. I dont know for sure though just throwing it out there. As for using rock like that minus the crystals I've used Marco before and will be again in my upcoming build. Looks like you could use it for some good base rock and top off with a little live rock to finish the scape, help save money. Again not sure on the crystal part.

These didn't even cross my mind, thanks for the tip, I looked into it afterward. They are indeed of mining origin, and the crystals are tried and tested; they don't scratch glass, and they seem quite soft, I don't think they are made of quartz. My problem is whether it's worth my while to deal with this. The LFS sells dried Fiji live rocks left over from a closed pet shop's aquarium, which they've already started cleaning and soaking in hypochlorite water. Those rocks appear very porous, as I've seen, even though they are three times more expensive, they are the same size as these, but they weigh only a third as much, so the final cost would be the same if I went with those.

 

[twentyleagues]

These didn't even cross my mind, thanks for the tip, I looked into it afterward. They are indeed of mining origin, and the crystals are tried and tested; they don't scratch glass, and they seem quite soft, I don't think they are made of quartz. My problem is whether it's worth my while to deal with this. The LFS sells dried Fiji live rocks left over from a closed pet shop's aquarium, which they've already started cleaning and soaking in hypochlorite water. Those rocks appear very porous, as I've seen, even though they are three times more expensive, they are the same size as these, but they weigh only a third as much, so the final cost would be the same if I went with those.

Softer than glass scares me as to the composition, vary possible for them to react with saltwater and possibly dissolve even if "tried and tested". Id ditch them and go for the dried fiji. Maybe once the tank is running and set up how you want you could add a couple pieces of actual live rock for added biodiversity. Again i've used mined Marco rock in the past with no issues and I have about 200lbs of it to use again. The difference this time is its not getting added on to a system that is already running with a ton of live rock. I have read stories about people using marco and having "unexplainable" algae issues that they try to relate back to the dry rock. Is this true? I dont know but guess ill find out.

 

[Mangimi]

Can you get the Aqua Forest rocks where you are? I found them to be quite cheap and they are pretty light weight. Real living life rock would be my go to if I had the choice though. I wouldn't use the dried Fiji stuff. Hypochlorite is a great disinfectant as it removes the biofilm, but I would be afraid to get nitrate and phosphate depots. I'd never use any rock (wet or dry) from an aquarium I don't know.

 

[FragTomas]

Can you get the Aqua Forest rocks where you are? I found them to be quite cheap and they are pretty light weight. Real living life rock would be my go to if I had the choice though. I wouldn't use the dried Fiji stuff. Hypochlorite is a great disinfectant as it removes the biofilm, but I would be afraid to get nitrate and phosphate depots. I'd never use any rock (wet or dry) from an aquarium I don't know.

If it's about this: AquaForest AF Rock Mix 18 kilos, I can order it from EU webshops, but local stores can also import everything if I ask, they're just closed on Mondays, so I can inquire tomorrow. By the way, this AF package seems quite convincing, thanks for the tip!

 

[Mangimi]

I have a 60x40x40cm tank and I used three rocks out of the 18kg package. You're getting a lot of material for the money.

 

[FragTomas]

I ended up returning the stones. Today, I consulted with the LFS, and he said he can get AF stones, but he strongly advises against it. He mentioned they are usable but likely to be a major letdown. Nonetheless, he's going to bring a box for me to inspect, but he cautioned that it might take up to two weeks. Anyway, I've got time; patience is a top virtue for a marine aquarist!

 

[fishface NJ]

...... The LFS sells dried Fiji live rocks left over from a closed pet shop's aquarium, which they've already started cleaning and soaking in hypochlorite water. Those rocks appear very porous, as I've seen, even though they are three times more expensive, they are the same size as these, but they weigh only a third as much, so the final cost would be the same if I went with those.

If I was able to get Fiji live rock I would use that in a heart beat!

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

I'm not sure what's available in Hungary, but I always suggest using some real rock from the ocean.

 

[FragTomas]

If I was able to get Fiji live rock I would use that in a heart beat!

I initially thought it could be a good solution, but as Mangini mentioned, it could be a bad idea to buy used rocks. There are numerous dead vermetid snail shells on the rock, and cleaning them all up would be a significant task. Additionally, the rock was in a store, and I always test the water after making a purchase, it often had nitrate levels exceeding 100. I'm unsure of how risky it might be to purchase rock that has been in a high-nutrient system for years, possibly even decades.

 

[fishface NJ]

The rocks could be placed in a water with bleach bath for 5 days to kill/remove the nitrates

 

[35gcube]

I know it's a bit late but I used these rocks for my tank... After a quick search I found they are made out of aragonite rock. Is it safe? Or should I ditch all my work and money to buy some new ones?

 

[twentyleagues]

I know it's a bit late but I used these rocks for my tank... After a quick search I found they are made out of aragonite rock. Is it safe? Or should I ditch all my work and money to buy some new ones?

aragonite is reef rock its fine.

 

[FragTomas]

I know it's a bit late but I used these rocks for my tank... After a quick search I found they are made out of aragonite rock. Is it safe? Or should I ditch all my work and money to buy some new ones?

It is totally safe, safer than the used live rock.

 

[FragTomas]

If I was able to get Fiji live rock I would use that in a heart beat!

I went with the dry rocks from a crashed tank. The rocks are mix from Fiji, Tonga, etc.. You can't find that quality this days, and the price was only 4 bucks for a pound. It was just too tempting to miss it.