What Rock, decisions decisions...

[Jimbo]

I went with the Walt Smith man made rock. I think it's called 2.1 here's a pic, just got set up 2 weeks ago.

 

[zoanutty]

Try Life Rock from Carib Sea. Google it and read up on it. A lot of LFS in my area use it in their display and you couldn't tell the difference.

 

[JakeK]

Every time I think I know which rock to do, I choke.

Here is the choices...

Any white dry rock,
Walt Smith 2.1
Real Reef Rock

.... so basically every type of rock there is lol

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

I'm going with a mix of dry reef rock from Reef Cleaners and Eco Rock 2.1 (Walt Smith's) from TBS in my up and coming 93 gallon. Main reason for a mix is because going all TBS Eco Rock 2.1 is too expensive for me, but I still really want the diversity and the biological filtration power of that rock and live sand.

 

[jonbar1]

I went with Reef Cleaners rock and a bottle of BioSpira on my latest tank. Buying corals will supply the Stomatellas, Bristle Worms, Asterinas, Brittle Stars, Spaghetti Worms, and Pods you would get with live rock.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I have a guy that I got my rock from. Super cheap. I got like 130 pounds for $90 i think. It's white dry rock. Looks really nice and does not leak phosphates.

 

[Cleo642]

I have a guy that I got my rock from. Super cheap. I got like 130 pounds for $90 i think. It's white dry rock. Looks really nice and does not leak phosphates.

That guy said dry rock is like nutrient biscuits. Lol

 

[Pete polyp]

That guy said dry rock is like nutrient biscuits. Lol

It depends on how it was processed. Usually they won't take the necessary steps to pull out all the n and p.

 

[whatchamacallit]

The Walt smith rock is really nice! Looks just like my live rock from my other display

 

[Pete polyp]

This is what 35lbs tukani looks like. As you can tell it's very light compared to other rock. I have a 7lb rock that's the size of a basketball.

 

[whatchamacallit]

This is what 35lbs tukani looks like. As you can tell it's very light compared to other rock. I have a 7lb rock that's the size of a basketball.

That's a lot of rock! Jesus.

I've heard Tukani not being good down the road, any experience on that?

 

[Harold Green]

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the denser rock build up areas where little oxygen can reach so it grows nitrate removing bacteria there, whereas the very light, porous branching rock can't do that.

 

[whatchamacallit]

I've decided to go with the Walt smith rock, thank you everyone!

 

[Pete polyp]

The only problem I have had with tukani after 3 years is that it consumes too much nitrate and keeps the tank too clean. I dose nitrate because of it

 

[Pete polyp]

Anyone correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the denser rock build up areas where little oxygen can reach so it grows nitrate removing bacteria there, whereas the very light, porous branching rock can't do that.

You really want the most porous rock you can find. If it's so dense the water can't get to it than it won't be able to remove any nitrate.

 

[Reab]

It depends on how it was processed. Usually they won't take the necessary steps to pull out all the n and p.

It will become a nutrient biscuit. Normal rock like the reef saver from brs will obsorb nitrate and phosphate and eventually leak them back into the water. It does not start out as such unless it is cured incorrectly.

 

[aquablizz]

what is the feeling of using lava rock in the sump or display tank for that matter??? it doesn't get any more porous than that,, and very lightweight.. Is there a way to test it for metal??

blizz

 

[CarrieB]

Why risk it?

 

[aquablizz]

just seeing if anyone has ever used it.. Seems like an ideal medium to grow bacteria..

people use it in freshwater setup all the time..

 

[Jimbo]

Some people have used lava rock with no problems. Others not so much. There's always the chance it can leach metals, including copper, depending on where it came from.

With so many better choices out there,as Carrie said, why risk it?

 

[Reefrookie220]

Totoka live rock, best looking stuff out there IMO.