Rock questions from an old reefer

[ScreamingPotato]

Greetings, I apologize for I'm sure there's tons of Rock questions but I'm not pulling much from searches for this. I'm an old time reefer that got back into the hobby 5 or so years ago. I used to buy rock directly from Fiji in bulk boxes, found out that's long gone so ended up getting a few hundred lbs from a local guy tearing down his tanks. I've had nothing but trouble with tank, never had issues in the past like this one. So fast forward and I'm downsizing and rebooting into a new tank so I'm on the hunt for some rock. This brings my questions.

I'm looking at the Florida rock options shipped in water, is there a density difference in weight and size with this stuff compared to the old straight from Fiji stuff? For example if I buy 50lbs is it gonna be just a couple boulders not filling up much space? Follow up question is on reputation, what's the word on this US Live Rock place? They seem to be a bit less expensive than the other premium options.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Also looking at Tampa Bay Saltwater if there's any feedback on them too.

 

[steveschuerger]

Also looking at Tampa Bay Saltwater if there's any feedback on them too.

I’ve used Tampa Bay Saltwater, KP Aquatics, Gulf Live Rock. All are good. Least expensive of the three I’ve mentioned is Gulf Live. Tampa Bay Saltwater would be my go to but I prefer overnight to my door and they only do that for nano sized orders. Just put a 10lb order into my 22 nano from Gulf Live and it was very nice no bad stuff and even came with a nice hitcher coral. The rock on the bottom came from my 60 originally from Tampa Bay.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Thanks! I'll look at Gulf Live too then, if the price difference is big I'll likely go with the least cost. Are these Florida rocks pretty dense? Looking for maybe 2lbs per gallon in general?

 

[steveschuerger]

Thanks! I'll look at Gulf Live too then, if the price difference is big I'll likely go with the least cost. Are these Florida rocks pretty dense? Looking for maybe 2lbs per gallon in general?

Pretty dense but lots of nooks and crannies. I’ve been doing about 1 ½ lbs per gllon myself.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Also looking at Tampa Bay Saltwater if there's any feedback on them too.

Tampa bay is excellent and do expect a few hitchhikers but you will get your money's worth.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Greetings, I apologize for I'm sure there's tons of Rock questions but I'm not pulling much from searches for this. I'm an old time reefer that got back into the hobby 5 or so years ago. I used to buy rock directly from Fiji in bulk boxes, found out that's long gone so ended up getting a few hundred lbs from a local guy tearing down his tanks. I've had nothing but trouble with tank, never had issues in the past like this one. So fast forward and I'm downsizing and rebooting into a new tank so I'm on the hunt for some rock. This brings my questions.

I'm looking at the Florida rock options shipped in water, is there a density difference in weight and size with this stuff compared to the old straight from Fiji stuff? For example if I buy 50lbs is it gonna be just a couple boulders not filling up much space? Follow up question is on reputation, what's the word on this US Live Rock place? They seem to be a bit less expensive than the other premium options.

Other option is KP aquatics.

 

[bushdoc]

I have a mixture of US Maricultured Rock , Marco Rock and Aussie live Rock.
US maricultured Rock is definitely much denser than Aussie Rock, but comes with more life if you care for that. Aussie Rock basically had some coralline and few macro algae, but no sponges etc.
I would say that for filtration , Aussie rock is better, but US maricultered beats it for biodiversity.
Also Aussie rock is much less affordable.

 

[Spicy Reef]

I purchased from Gulf Live as well, I have been extremely pleased. It did take them a while to ship, but they answered my email every time.

 

[steveschuerger]

I purchased from Gulf Live as well, I have been extremely pleased. It did take them a while to ship, but they answered my email every time.

How much did you purchase. I’ve ordered both, admittedly small, orders of 10 and 20 lbs and it was sent literally hours after or the next day from them.

 

[Spicy Reef]

How much did you purchase. I’ve ordered both, admittedly small, orders of 10 and 20 lbs and it was sent literally hours after or the next day from them.

I think it was 100lbs, long ago 3+years. It was most likely a bad time of year or something. My point was they communicated very well and I never felt bad about the wait

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I appreciate the input. So nobody's bought from US Live Rock. I'm probably best going with Gulf, TBS, or KP then. I really like the sound of the Aussie stuff but overall cost is important.