Ocean Sourced Live rock for initial setup

Dbasileccim · Jan 10, 2020

Hi all, I have been patiently gathering equipment for almost three years to setup my Oceanic 144 half circle tank. Being an avid diver and underwater photographer I would like to use real ocean sourced rock for my initial setup (Tampa bay rick). I know the arguments about the larger hitchhikers but I am more worried about the protozoan hitchhikers. I am thinking of using a mix of existing used rock from an old setup (that has been sitting in a Brut trash can for two years with circulation) mixed with ocean sourced live rock.

if I leave this mix of rock fallow of fish for 3 months in the new setup display to break the protozoan lifecycle will this be a reasonable way to start a highly bio diverse reef tank and at the same time stop the majority of protozoan based fish issues (from the initial live rock) for the future?

Thanks for any input.

Retro Reefer · Jan 10, 2020

That sounds like a fine plan, the bulk of my tanks have been set up with ocean collected rock and I never worried about Protozoans but to be honest I never really thought about it

I let my tanks cycle for extend times anyway. In my current tank have a mixture of rock with about 2/3 of it ocean collected, aquacultured rock from KP aquatics.. I let the tank cycle and run for approximately 2-3 months before introducing first fish with no issues.

Dbasileccim · Jan 10, 2020

That is exactly my plan. Were you happy with the kp aquatics rock?

Any body else?

Retro Reefer · Jan 10, 2020

Super happy with the rock, I will be buying more

tank has been running for a year and a half..

shred5 · Jan 10, 2020

You want allot of life try Tampa Bay Saltwaters rock... They ship all rock underwater so there is little die off.
Only issue is you will have to pick them up from what ever airline you decide on... Really not a big deal just not to your door.

saltyhog · Jan 10, 2020

shred5 said:
You want allot of life try Tampa Bay Saltwaters rock... They ship all rock underwater so there is little die off.
Only issue is you will have to pick them up from what ever airline you decide on... Really not a big deal just not to your door.

Agree, I started my first tank this way. The amount of life was amazing. Granted some it was not desired (gorilla crabs and one polyclad flatworm) but it was very much worth it. I made a little money back selling the urchins that came with mine and out grew the tank.

Super Fly · Jan 10, 2020

I've used TBS rocks and love them. Didn't have any protozoan parasite issues nor have I heard from other TBS buyers. The rocks are directly from the ocean and so amazing, loaded with tons of beneficial bacteria.

Since you are a diver, Rick may even allow you to dive with him to pick out your rocks as I've heard some doing this.

Dbasileccim · Jan 10, 2020

Thanks all. I will probably see about picking up rock directly from either Tampa Bay or RP Aquatics in the keys on one of my trips toward either of them to save shipping and keep as much alive as possible.

User1 · Jan 10, 2020

Unless KP ships fully submerged it is 2nd. TBS ships fully submerged which is why many say it is 1st choice. Both are good. Both have more positives than negatives (hitchikers). TBS may be more expensive. Search and you will see more often than not both are great sources. Just depends on what you are after. 0 - 5% die off (TBS) or a little more or maybe mini-cycle.

As many said - you have a pretty solid plan. I've done live rock from Fiji back when we could source it in 2000. Best stuff ever. I recently upgraded to a 210 gallon and used 150 lbs of dry rock, Pukani. I am on month 19 and only now, yes, 19 months later, would I say that the Pukani is good enough to call it mature. Starting dry with a new cycle or dry rock (when a majority of it is dry based) with a mix of some live/upgrade mixed in takes too long to mature. Pukani has so many nooks and crannies for the biological filter to take hold just not worth it in my opinion.

Already planning another upgrade and this time will be going TBS for sure. Well worth the price in my opinion. Best of luck and let us know what you end up with. We all like to see the pictures of both vendors - great stuff when people can do it.

Dbasileccim · Jan 11, 2020

Thanks for detailed response.

Thespammailaccount · Jan 11, 2020

Dbasileccim said:
Hi all, I have been patiently gathering equipment for almost three years to setup my Oceanic 144 half circle tank. Being an avid diver and underwater photographer I would like to use real ocean sourced rock for my initial setup (Tampa bay rick). I know the arguments about the larger hitchhikers but I am more worried about the protozoan hitchhikers. I am thinking of using a mix of existing used rock from an old setup (that has been sitting in a Brut trash can for two years with circulation) mixed with ocean sourced live rock.

if I leave this mix of rock fallow of fish for 3 months in the new setup display to break the protozoan lifecycle will this be a reasonable way to start a highly bio diverse reef tank and at the same time stop the majority of protozoan based fish issues (from the initial live rock) for the future?

Thanks for any input.

Careful some life rock can be extremely nutrient rich

Retro Reefer · Jan 12, 2020

KP rock can be orders submerged and unlike other live rock that’s available it’s aptasia free.

liverock · Jan 13, 2020

We have aptasia species here in Florida, but they are not the bad guys you read about on the internet, those are from the indo pacific region. Unfortunately the rap that aptasias have on the internet give folks a instant knee jerk....Kill It response... which soon applies to any anemone folks get in their tank from live rock, specimen corals, or anything having substrate.

Indo pacific aptasia is truly a prolific specie and that is why there is such info about them on the net.

They are similar look alike nems here in the Gulf, of the aptasia species, but they are not the tank populating, reproducing, and invasive to most all tank-mates critters. We have a few like bulb anemones and a couple other less seen types. D2mini has had experience with the 'look alike', and I don't remember him or other peeps reporting propagation issues, but he had some good pics of them...from a few tanks ago...he may share.....lol...

That being said, anything purchased at your LFS or anywhere else has the possibilities of invasive guys.....is the nature of the business, from frags to live rock you are purchasing their condo, plants, corals, critters and a myriad of other critters and you won't know who is home until observation in your tank!

Richard TBS