Live vs dry rock

[Sir_Andros]

I'm getting ready to start my first saltwater aquarium with Reef and I'm wanting people's opinions on weather the like dry rock or live. I've seen pictures of people's tanks the have all kinds of vine and grass growing off them and it looks great but I also love the fact that you can glue the dry rock so there is not the worry of falling rock. Let me hear your voice please

 

[booth2010]

I would do 90% dry rock, get the aquascape looking how you want then add in 10% LR to seed the tank with bacteria and coralline. You will have nice rock without the risk of bad hitchhikers.

 

[HiddenUser]

I'm going to be upgrading my tank in the upcoming months...definitely going to use dry rock this time around. I started my current tank with live rock and it came with some hitchhikers which have been nearly impossible for me to eliminate (aiptasia, bubble algae, etc).

 

[Sir_Andros]

Well I'm running a refugium sump so I guess I will put the live rock in there that way all my rock looks the same in the dt

 

[inkedsparkster]

Let me put it to ya like this. Is it a good idea to sleep with a stranger off the street without a condom? I mean you never know what disease you might get. so why take the chance with a new tank? I went 100 percent dry rock and dry sand. I am adding Dr. Tim's one and only nitrifying bacteria. Any good bacteria/organism you want for your tank, you can always buy and add.

 

[inkedsparkster]

But that's just my .02

 

[mrcoffee2]

Let me put it to ya like this. Is it a good idea to sleep with a stranger off the street without a condom? I mean you never know what disease you might get. so why take the chance with a new tank? I went 100 percent dry rock and dry sand. I am adding Dr. Tim's one and only nitrifying bacteria. Any good bacteria/organism you want for your tank, you can always buy and add.

Wow I do not believe I would put it that way to anyone, but point taken haha

 

[inkedsparkster]

A book I bought from Mr. saltwater tank described it that way. It sure made a lot of sense to me when described like that.

 

[Pete polyp]

Who needs condoms? I go 100% live rock, and have none of the problems people have when they use dry rock. I see so many threads about high nitrate from people using dry rock. And insanely long cycles. Those dreaded hitchhikers are going to find a way in your tank unless you're never going to have anything but a tank of rock. Once you put some corals in there, they will be introduced. There's the occasional bad hitchhiker, like mantis and whatnot. But what about the millions of good ones? I have a breeding population of chitons, snails, starfish etc. that are hitchhikers. They're an essential part of my clean up crew by now. I'm not saying that its impossible to be successful with 100% dry rock. It happens all the time. I just don't have the patience to wait a month for a cycle, and add one frag every couple weeks. My tank fully cycled in 7 days with tukani rock, I put a clownfish in it that day. (still in there today too) I started adding corals on day 10 (also still in there)

 

[booth2010]

The main question is price. Do you want to pay 3-5$ a lb for dry or 5-15$ for live both will work. One takes a little longer but within a year both look about the same

 

[Pete polyp]

The main question is price. Do you want to pay 3-5$ a lb for dry or 5-15$ for live both will work. One takes a little longer but within a year both look about the same

Well said! Live rock here is $6/lb.... If I had to pay $15/lb I would not use it. Or I would order from DFS.... 45lb Fiji is on sale for $79 right now

 

[Reefing Madness]

You are cabable of glueing Live Rock together also, so if thats your only worry, then your all set.

 

[inkedsparkster]

Who needs condoms? I go 100% live rock, and have none of the problems people have when they use dry rock. I see so many threads about high nitrate from people using dry rock. And insanely long cycles. Those dreaded hitchhikers are going to find a way in your tank unless you're never going to have anything but a tank of rock. Once you put some corals in there, they will be introduced. There's the occasional bad hitchhiker, like mantis and whatnot. But what about the millions of good ones? I have a breeding population of chitons, snails, starfish etc. that are hitchhikers. They're an essential part of my clean up crew by now. I'm not saying that its impossible to be successful with 100% dry rock. It happens all the time. I just don't have the patience to wait a month for a cycle, and add one frag every couple weeks. My tank fully cycled in 7 days with tukani rock, I put a clownfish in it that day. (still in there today too) I started adding corals on day 10 (also still in there)

I totally understand that there are lots of ways to do things. And in a perfect world if you wanted to be as safe as possible then you would start with all dead and everything you ever add into your tank you would QT or Dip and try and prevent any bad bacteria/organism. As far as those chitons, snails, etc.... Can all be bought and added to your tank. And as far as waiting for the cycle. Two days after you add Dr. Tim's you put in a couple fish and off you go. (So they say). I'll find out this week when I add the bacteria and fish.

Now as stated it's really whatever method ya wanna go with. They all work and they all come with different percentages of risk.

 

[Sir_Andros]

How do you if it's wet. I'm sure I sound like an idiot lol

 

[booth2010]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/jurassic-gel-reef-adhesive.html

Just one of the many products you can use.

 

[moidol]

be sure to put the rocks in first before adding sands(if u going with sand bed). you can drill holes on rocks and use plastic rod or pvc to hold them together.

 

[Pete polyp]

Jb weld water weld expoxy works just fine to bond rocks together.

 

[Reefing Madness]

How do you if it's wet. I'm sure I sound like an idiot lol

Aquarium Aquascaping & Coral Propagation: Two Little Fishies AquaStik Epoxy Putty

 

[Reefing Madness]

Jurassic Gel 4540 Reef Adhesive - Bulk Reef Supply

Just one of the many products you can use.

I'd not use that stuff, thats just for holding frags in place, I don't think it would hold up to the weight of LR.

 

[inkedsparkster]

I'm with Pete, JB water weld works great. And if you do it when the rock is dry then it will be dang strong!