Rock Soup

[jabberwock]

I will be starting up a 25 gallon lagoon over the next several months. I have been thinking about what direction I want to go with rock. I have the luxury of 3 LFS in close proximity, all of which sell cured wet rock. In talking with them I have learned that the source of most of this cured wet rock is from tank teardowns they have done for clients. I was thinking about purchasing a small amount of it from each of the three stores, then rounding out the rest of the rock I need with dry rock (to reduce cost) and a couple chunks of Maxspect bio-blocks. I am going minimalist aquascape, hence the Maxspect hidden in the back of the AIO. I would soak it all for a few months, with a heater and a powerhead to seed and cure the dry rock. Feed it once a week. Specific questions are:

1. Is it a bad idea to source wet rock from 3 different sources? (will this increase my bacterial diversity?)
2. Should I go all wet cured rock?
3. Is the Maxspect a good product? Does it break down?
4. Is the rock recycled from tank teardowns going to be a pest bomb?

Thanks for looking!

 

[Ron Reefman]

1. Is it a bad idea to source wet rock from 3 different sources? (will this increase my bacterial diversity?)
Probably, but I really don't think that it's an issue, especially in a new tank set up.

2. Should I go all wet cured rock?
It really doesn't matter. People have been very successful either way.

3. Is the Maxspect a good product? Does it break down?
In 20+ years in the hobby, I've never felt the need to even try this product.

4. Is the rock recycled from tank teardowns going to be a pest bomb?
It could be, but if you are really going to soak it for a few months, you'll probably know soon enough. But a good LFS will have been careful with live rock they decide to re-use.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I don't think it's a bad idea to get rock from different sources.

Instead of simply going "wet cured rock" I'd go all live rock from the ocean since it sounds like you value biodiversity (which I do too).