Quality "Live Rock" ?

VR28man · Jun 2, 2017

Maritimer said:
I am too . . .

Watching their videos, there are two things that catch my attention: The water at Tampa Bay's site is green - that at KP's site is blue; the most common fish at Tampa Bay's site seem to be black sea bass (which we also have in Connecticut), those at KP's site seem to be grunts and large angelfish. I'd have to think that the life that collects on the rock will be different at a similar level.

As far as I can tell, both vendors produce an excellent product!

~Bruce

TBS's site has more algae and suspended particles in the water, at least in whatever season the video was taken in (and again the site *seems* deeper - see also the sea bass vs. the grunts/angelfish, which I think is a mark that it's deeper). Which might show in their selection - the hitchhiker selection between their sites are somewhat different (fewer photosynthetic corals and gorgos with TBS and more sponges and such)

rbtmcardle · Jun 2, 2017

I followed the lead of @d2mini and ordered the package for my reefer 350. This is a month old tank. I can't speak highly enough about my experience with TBS

I'm awaiting my lifereef sump/refugium and just ordered Profilux/Doser and Mitras to replace my apex and then I'll post a build thread.

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 2, 2017

rbtmcardle said:
I followed the lead of @d2mini and ordered the package for my reefer 350. This is a month old tank. I can't speak highly enough about my experience with TBS

I'm awaiting my lifereef sump/refugium and just ordered Profilux/Doser and Mitras to replace my apex and then I'll post a build thread.

Well that's an awesome tank.

d2mini · Jun 3, 2017

rbtmcardle said:
I followed the lead of @d2mini and ordered the package for my reefer 350. This is a month old tank. I can't speak highly enough about my experience with TBS

I'm awaiting my lifereef sump/refugium and just ordered Profilux/Doser and Mitras to replace my apex and then I'll post a build thread.

A month old!
When most people are staring at white rock covered in brown algae, you have a fully functional reef.
Looks awesome.

Tennsquire · Jun 3, 2017

I remember ordering boxes of Fiji live rock from flying fish express years ago, when it was still being air freighted several times a week. They were like $99 for 45 lb boxes. Tons of life and corals on that rock....

jason_mazzy · Jun 3, 2017

what kind of rock is tbs though? isnt it mined rock imported in? I would love some pukani pieces that were given the TBS treatment.

VR28man · Jun 3, 2017

Tbs supposedly uses mostly Walt smith 2.1 now. That being said, they may have some other types available, if you emailed them.

louisvillereefer · Sep 2, 2017

I've been thinking about adding a small "package" to an established 1 year old tank. Any tricks for finding the undesirable hitchhikers before adding the TBS rock? I'm mostly worried about gorilla crabs and mantis shrimp. I was thinking about doing an initial inspection and then dumping it in my sump to evaluate it for a while. Do you have to do two shipments or can you have everything shipped together? Thanks

VR28man · Sep 2, 2017

It seems to me that their "package", for a new tank, comes in two shipments because the first package is to cycle the tank; the second (with all the life) should be added post-cycle. That being said, I'm sure they'll ship it all together for you if you ask (and tell them you have an established tank).

Update to this thread (a bit fortuitous, I found this just now because I'm going to be getting LR soon): I found KP aquatics has a description of their LR, unfortunately on Facebook (and you need an account to see it) but it looks good. Main difference between their premium LR and TBS seems to be 1) TBS will always ship airfreight; with KPA it looks negotiable 2) KPA has a different balance of life; e.g. more hard corals (Siderastrea, Porites porites - a finger Porites, and apparently Millepora fire corals. The first two are supposed to be very hardy)

http://www.kpaquatics.com/product-categ…/live-rock-dry-rock/

louisvillereefer · Sep 2, 2017

VR28man said:
It seems to me that their "package", for a new tank, comes in two shipments because the first package is to cycle the tank; the second (with all the life) should be added post-cycle. That being said, I'm sure they'll ship it all together for you if you ask (and tell them you have an established tank).

Thanks so much! I appreciate the info.

Alra Reo · Nov 7, 2017

I have been using my top 10-gallon aquarium last 2 years.My aquarium is fully decorated with live rocks. Recently I bought Fiji and Tonga rock. The shapes of the rocks are different from my previous rocks. I have searched many times on the internet, that which live rock is best, how to choose them, suitable for my fishes. Then I got a link, that gives me a great help to purchase the suitable rocks for my aquarium. If you want you can check:https://fishboxpro.com/best-live-rock-aquarium/.

JPergamo · Feb 10, 2019

I know this is an old thread but I just read though it. I am adding a remote fuge and was considering adding a small 20lb package of rock to it. would the hitchhiker's and other life from TBS be ok if added to just this remote fuge and not my display? Want to seed some good stuff like sponges in my 2.5 year old system that was started with dry rock. Thanks in advance for any input or opinions

AllSignsPointToFish · Feb 10, 2019

JPergamo said:
I know this is an old thread but I just read though it. I am adding a remote fuge and was considering adding a small 20lb package of rock to it. would the hitchhiker's and other life from TBS be ok if added to just this remote fuge and not my display? Want to seed some good stuff like sponges in my 2.5 year old system that was started with dry rock. Thanks in advance for any input or opinions

You'll definitely end up with sponges if you do that.

. I used cultured live rock in my display, and I have a ton of sponges in my tank.