So im not sure if this is the right place but i think it is. My question is basicly what the title reads how does everyone feel about doing an all man made rock tank vs the rest of the rock options. I think on my next build i want to use all man made rock because i think it is a better option or a more sustainable one, but i dont know alot about it. Does it have comparable surface area? Basicly lookin for the pros and cons.
Man made rock vs the rest.....
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CalebWBrink2000
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Many people very much like using dry rock, of which, while not man maid, is pretty sterile and sustainable. The man made rock infused with bacteria is neat too, but doesn't look quite as natural imo. Depending on the manufacturer, I've heard that it isn't as porous as real rock. However, in the age of ceramic media like the MarinePure blocks, surface area isn't really an issue; the rock is really just for aesthetics and biodiversity. Personally for myself I like LR. Tampa Bay Saltwater has excellent rock- the best LR I've seen personally.
DesertReefT4r
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No matter what you decide on you will need to seed with real live rock.
So i have to seed or i have to seed to speed up the process? My understanding was that adding live rock just jump starts every thing. Am i misunderstanding the way cycleing works? If so please let me know which cycle im missing.
Mikedawg
2500 Club Member
I personally like the look of live rock and it has certain benefits over dry rock; then again, you do take a chance of importing troublesome hitchhikers. You might find this article helpful in making your decision: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycling-an-aquarium.306554/
NinnJinn
Well-Known Member
Correct, live rock only jump-starts your cycling process. When I set up my tank I bleached everything and killed everything then used a bottle of dr. Tims one and only nitrifying bacteria. I was up and running in about 5 to 6 weeks.
You to not need live rock to start the process
Live rock is far more than just a "quicker cycling tool."
Dry rock, bottled bacteria and some copepods isn't live rock by any stretch of the imagination. I know we've been taught it is over the last couple years but it doesn't even come close to what true live rock is.
True live rock brings a bio diversity to your tank from day one. A diversity that can keep certain algaes, bacteria and dinos at bay since there is competition. With dry rock, there is no competition. You have to add that competition somehow. What's the easiest way to do this? Seed with good live rock from a trusted source.
When dinos don't have competition, they take over the tank. It can last months and even years before you've added enough competition to out compete them. Just do a quick search for all the dino threads and see just how many of them started with dead rock. The number of cases is starting to mount.
My current tank was started with all dead rock and it's been a total nightmare. I thought I took the proper precautions even. Never again will I go this route. My new 120g upgrade will be a 50/50 mix of dry and live rock. Hoping it does better this time around.
Dry rock, bottled bacteria and some copepods isn't live rock by any stretch of the imagination. I know we've been taught it is over the last couple years but it doesn't even come close to what true live rock is.
True live rock brings a bio diversity to your tank from day one. A diversity that can keep certain algaes, bacteria and dinos at bay since there is competition. With dry rock, there is no competition. You have to add that competition somehow. What's the easiest way to do this? Seed with good live rock from a trusted source.
When dinos don't have competition, they take over the tank. It can last months and even years before you've added enough competition to out compete them. Just do a quick search for all the dino threads and see just how many of them started with dead rock. The number of cases is starting to mount.
My current tank was started with all dead rock and it's been a total nightmare. I thought I took the proper precautions even. Never again will I go this route. My new 120g upgrade will be a 50/50 mix of dry and live rock. Hoping it does better this time around.
HolisticBear
Valuable Member
Besides the Live vs Dry talk, some people also use 100% ceramic rock
Vida Ceramic rock is pretty cool looking. Reef builders recently had an article on a high-end Beverly Hills aquarium with equipment from MRC. The aquascape is 100% ceramic, the maintainer (Unique Corals) said they were initially a little concerned using zero dry or live rock, but the tank has been thriving for many years under a high bioload.
You'll find some YouTube videos on the European PM-Riffkeramik rock.
Vida Ceramic rock is pretty cool looking. Reef builders recently had an article on a high-end Beverly Hills aquarium with equipment from MRC. The aquascape is 100% ceramic, the maintainer (Unique Corals) said they were initially a little concerned using zero dry or live rock, but the tank has been thriving for many years under a high bioload.
You'll find some YouTube videos on the European PM-Riffkeramik rock.
I don't know current pricing. I thought I saw some on their site the other day.
My one pieces was a steal for like $15. My custom piece I had made was for a 7.5g tank and was like $35. I'll try to dig up pics of either but I lost most with the Photobucket disaster.
HolisticBear
Valuable Member
You can buy it online, it costs a good bit. Here's a link to a bonsai tree
For the PM stuff, email them on Facebook. They will email you a price sheet. I found it was measurably more VidaRock. You could always buy a small amount of live from KP Aquatics if you want some live in the tank with the ceramic. Lots of articles on the pros vs cons here on R2R
