Live Rock question

[FreshSaltyGuy]

So I went to my LFS store in hopes of finding GREAT live rock. I found this pictured and only a couple was very disappointed. I thought live rock had to be kept in saltwater to keep it "Alive"??? Also, they couldn't tell me if the rock was aqua cultured *ie manmade rock or not they had no clue. What do you all think? I was looking to get the Australian Live Rock but it is sooo dang $$$$$ is it worth it? Is there an alternative that is just as good and beneficial as helping with filtering the water etc...

 

[encrustingacro]

The purple rocks look man made, but not aquacultured. Aquacultured rocks are placed in the ocean to become live. The white rocks look like marco rock/rock mined from quarries. There is not really an alternative to rock, as you need it for the nitrogen cycle and mounting corals; however, you can use less live rock if you put ceramic biological filtration media in your sump/back chamber/filter.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

It's probably rock that was dry a few weeks ago and they just threw it in a vat with bottled bacteria so now it's technically "live rock" but doesn't have anywhere close to the biodiversity you'd get from maricultured or wild collected live rock...I think you can get Gulf farmed maricultured rock for like $10 per pound

 

[Eric Cohen]

What did you end up doing? I would love to help ya get some of the good stuff

 

[zdrc]

That purple stuff looks like LIFE rock (not LIVE rock) which is manufactured by Caribsea. Look at getting some rock from Florida. KP Aquatics, Tampa Bay Saltwater, or Gulf Live Rock all sell maricultured live rock. This is real live rock (or at least as real as it gets these days). It's still expensive, but I think less expensive than Australian rock. I got live rock from KP Aquatics for my tank and it is without a doubt the best money I've spent on the tank. I simply can't imagine having a tank without it. I love it. It's my favorite thing in the tank. I've been deliberately avoiding encrusting corals because I can't bear to have this beautiful rock covered.

 

[FreshSaltyGuy]

What did you end up doing? I would love to help ya get some of the good stuff

Hehe it's me Mike. I ended up getting those 10 lbs of live rock from ya and then the other 30 lbs of Fiji from another hobbyist. Here is my 40 gallon tall setup with closeups of all the good hitchhikers. Already cycled and has 2 damsels for now and small CUC.

 

[WheatToast]

That purple stuff looks like LIFE rock (not LIVE rock) which is manufactured by Caribsea. Look at getting some rock from Florida. KP Aquatics, Tampa Bay Saltwater, or Gulf Live Rock all sell maricultured live rock. This is real live rock (or at least as real as it gets these days). It's still expensive, but I think less expensive than Australian rock. I got live rock from KP Aquatics for my tank and it is without a doubt the best money I've spent on the tank. I simply can't imagine having a tank without it. I love it. It's my favorite thing in the tank. I've been deliberately avoiding encrusting corals because I can't bear to have this beautiful rock covered.

+1. Might also be dried out real reef rock.

 

[Eric Cohen]

Hehe it's me Mike. I ended up getting those 10 lbs of live rock from ya and then the other 30 lbs of Fiji from another hobbyist. Here is my 40 gallon tall setup with closeups of all the good hitchhikers. Already cycled and has 2 damsels for now and small CUC.

Why did I have a feeling that was going to happen! lol. Thanks Mike! Awesome!

 

[PeterEde]

Not live rock

 

[FreshSaltyGuy]

Why did I have a feeling that was going to happen! lol. Thanks Mike! Awesome!

No thank you for some of the best rock around!! Will certainly stay in touch. Tell the guys thanks again!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I went to my LFS store in hopes of finding GREAT live rock. I found this pictured and only a couple was very disappointed. I thought live rock had to be kept in saltwater to keep it "Alive"??? Also, they couldn't tell me if the rock was aqua cultured *ie manmade rock or not they had no clue. What do you all think? I was looking to get the Australian Live Rock but it is sooo dang $$$$$ is it worth it? Is there an alternative that is just as good and beneficial as helping with filtering the water etc...

They need to get it together. Yes, live rock is seeded and wet with plant and other life.
Those tubs have what is known as " LIFE ROCK", meant to mimic live cultured rock

 

[FreshSaltyGuy]

They need to get it together. Yes, live rock is seeded and wet with plant and other life.
Those tubs have what is known as " LIFE ROCK", meant to mimic live cultured rock

I ain't worried about anymore ended up getting aweskme Australian live rock from @Eric Cohen