ARCreef
New Member
Thanks for the recommendation S.Pepper! We just wanted to chime in to see if we could be of any help. Our new Reef Stacker Dry Rock is all mined from ancient reef beds so will have no organic material which causes high phosphates. Our dry rock is sterilized with high heat and pressure which result in the microscopic surface area of the rock to be more porous (think carbon surface area) we then drill multiple holes in every single rock and include acrylic connecting rods so you can connect the rocks to easily form caves, swim-throughs, and even vertical structures. We include frag plugs as well to fit in any unused holes so you can securely transplant coral frags, no glue or epoxy needed. With all the extra holes in them, our rock is the lightest mined dry rock available so you are also getting a lot more rock per lb. 20% of every purchase also goes directly to building reefs offshore, literally offsetting the environmental impact and carbon footprint of your tank. We also have packages with our Coralline Algae in a Bottle product if having coralline seeded dry rock without pests is your goal. We use the same species of coralline as we use for seeding our artificial coral reef builds. To help clear up your options that are out there:Arcreef.com It's dry rock that is already cured. Great rock at a great price. I have it in my current system and getting ready to add it to my new system.
"Reef Stacker" Dry Rock, All in 1 Aquascaping Kits by ARC Reef, ALL NEW
Reef Stacker Dry Rock comes with EXTRA holes drilled & Connecting Rods! Easily make any amazing aquascape possible for your saltwater aquarium or reef tank.arcreef.com
Dry Live Rock = Was live rock in our lifetime, then taken out of the water, high phosphates and unethical. Often indo pacific origination and would be extremely illegal if done in the US. Happening due to live rock restrictions, removing live rock from the reef then drying it now reclassifies it as dry rock and it can skirt export regulations. (Many or most cases, not all) Several companies call their dry rock, dry live rock for SEO reasons, as adding the term "live" increases search results, but this would be incorrect advertising. This term can be tricky to know what is really what, just ask.
Live Dry Rock = Dry rock that has been seeded with bacteria and/or coralline. Usually no or low phosphates. Can still have pests, seeding is subjective. Can be just 2 weeks which doesn't provide much benefit at all. Seeding Dry rock is more gimicky then not and you are at the mercy of the facility and their water quality. No indoor facility or closed system will be adequate in our opinion. A steady supply of fresh offshore seawater is required to achieve good results.
Dry Rock = Usually mined from ancient coral reefs. Limestone, Olite, Calcium Carbonate Rock, usually no or very little phosphates, requires no curing, (Marco Rock BRS reefsaver rock & ARC Reef's "Reef Stacker" Dry Rock) Usually Florida or Texas origin.
Wild Live Rock = Less common within the last 8 years, now banned for export in most countries, but not all, came from a usually indo-pacific country such as Fiji, non- sustainable practice, means breaking up a coral reef with crowbars, dynamite, heavy machine, etc.. Outlawed in all 1st world countries but the US still can import to this day.
Aquacultured Live Rock = Taking mined rock offshore, waiting approx 3+ years and then removing parts of that man-made reef to send directly to consumers. Sustainable practice, and has positive environmental impacts. (Tampa Bay Saltwater, ARC Reef live rock Prior to Hurricane Irma) We choose sites only in the Atlantic, but are easily wiped out in hurricanes, the gulf site offers much more protection with its shallower water but has more macroalgae and clams as opposed to corals and coralline, although the gulf side has risks from red tides, run-off pollution, higher nutrient levels, low visibility, and oil rig risks.
Hope that helps a bit and gives a little more transparency to the industry and your available options. If anyone has any other questions for us feel free to ask.
Best Dry Rock: Our honest opinion is that for dry rock, Macro Rock (BRS Reefsaver Rock), and our ARC Reef "Reef Stacker" rock is best available dry rock that your money can buy, these companies package the rocks right also, we've seen other companies provide no protection and 2 boxes of broken rock rubble are more expensive than 1 box of properly packed intact dry rock.
Best Live Rock: We recommend Tampa Bay Saltwater... although, our extremely colorful Atlantic Ocean live rock will be back in stock again by the end of the summer. (and at the same price as 2 years ago!) Hurricane Irma destroyed our facility and sandblasted the bright vibrant coloring right off of our entire reef.
It has been a VERY difficult road back these past 2 years after Irma and we can't thank you all enough for all the support!
Here is a look at our Brand New "Reef Stacker" Dry Rock for Aquascaping w/ extra holes drilled, + acrylic connecting rods + coral frag plugs + free Shipping + built-in 20% donation for coral reef restoration & the propagation of many corals including 3 species of endangered corals.
~ARC Reef
Atlantic Reef Conservation
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