Where to buy reef rock

[edd59]

KP Aquatics live rock is ocean rock and it's not painted/dyed

i have read all good reviews about KP.
i think its old reef rock that is quarried and dumped in the ocean. then retrieved years later.

 

[Eric Cohen]

Unique corals just got in a fresh batch of Australian live rock

Australian Aussie Liverock- Sold in 5 lb increments

Now sold in 5 lb increments due to the high overnight costs. (For 10 pounds please order a quantity of 2, etc.) While this technically is a Non WYSIWYG item we are now offering a limited courtesy wysiwyg option. , After your purchase, if you would like to see pictures or a quick video call to...

uniquecorals.com

I love those guys but I’m offering a totally different type of live rock. Take your pick.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

If you can afford the Australian live rock that's what I'd go with...nothing against maricultured rock at all but I would personally go with the wild Australian. Also, I'm not as big a fan of the really high amount of macrolife I've seen advertised and in pics on some of the Gulf rock since I'd assume a lot would die off after being put into your tank. The Australian rock on the other hand likely has at least as much microlife on it and the shapes are pretty awesome.

 

[Eric Cohen]

If you can afford the Australian live rock that's what I'd go with...nothing against maricultured rock at all but I would personally go with the wild Australian. Also, I'm not as big a fan of the really high amount of macrolife I've seen advertised and in pics on some of the Gulf rock since I'd assume a lot would die off after being put into your tank. The Australian rock on the other hand likely has at least as much microlife on it and the shapes are pretty awesome.

 

[Spare time]

I’m ready to rock scape my mix reef tank. Any good recommendations on where to get the rock? I bought some off a guy on Craigslist that swore the rocks had been cycled and cleaned but tested through the roof on phosphate when I got it home. I’ve always had good experiences when dealing with people in the hobby back 15 yrs ago. Hope this is an isolated incident and not a sign of the times.

You can always toss them in a bucket with a gfo in a reactor or filter

 

[davidcalgary29]

Never mind; re-read the OP.

 

[Eric Cohen]

I’m ready to rock scape my mix reef tank. Any good recommendations on where to get the rock? I bought some off a guy on Craigslist that swore the rocks had been cycled and cleaned but tested through the roof on phosphate when I got it home. I’ve always had good experiences when dealing with people in the hobby back 15 yrs ago. Hope this is an isolated incident and not a sign of the times.

I sell a phosphate remover called Phosphate Rx and would neutralize the Phosphate issue for you in a heartbeat. Best way and most affordable way to lower phosphate. Made by Blue Life USA.

 

[slipstream]

I sell a phosphate remover called Phosphate Rx and would neutralize the Phosphate issue for you in a heartbeat. Best way and most affordable way to lower phosphate. Made by Blue Life USA.

Does the phosphate Rx remove the bound phosphates in the rock?

 

[Roatan Reef]

Tampa Bay Saltwater!
www.tbsaltwater.com
Look up my build threads for lots of pics.

Agreed. I have 35lbs Life rock and 3lbs Live Rock from TB Saltwater that came with Cup Corals that you can't even buy at your LFS.

 

[TopClamSkoo]

Dang.. should have went with u... Ur pieces are awesome! Not ragging on unique corals at all but these pieces look wayyyy better!

 

[d2mini]

Also, I'm not as big a fan of the really high amount of macrolife I've seen advertised and in pics on some of the Gulf rock since I'd assume a lot would die off after being put into your tank. The Australian rock on the other hand likely has at least as much microlife on it and the shapes are pretty awesome.

That stuff will slowly die off over time just because it's really hard to keep it all alive in our closed systems. But it has zero effect on the health of the tank. And it provides wonderful life and color and interest in the beginning while you are low on coral.

I've had several tanks over the years with every one of them started with TBS rock and sand and every one of them was a success from the get go, able to support fish and coral within a couple weeks rather than several months.

It's also nice to know that no real reefs were harmed! Every piece or rock removed was placed there by TBS.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

That stuff will slowly die off over time just because it's really hard to keep it all alive in our closed systems. But it has zero effect on the health of the tank. And it provides wonderful life and color and interest in the beginning while you are low on coral.

I've had several tanks over the years with every one of them started with TBS rock and sand and every one of them was a success from the get go, able to support fish and coral within a couple weeks rather than several months.

It's also nice to know that no real reefs were harmed! Every piece or rock removed was placed there by TBS.

Yeah, I'm a really big live rock fan...that's how I've started each of my tanks (wild live rock). I'm definitely not ragging on TBS, I just would prefer the Australian rock personally.

 

[d2mini]

Yeah, I'm a really big live rock fan...that's how I've started each of my tanks (wild live rock). I'm definitely not ragging on TBS, I just would prefer the Australian rock personally.

Yeah its all good! It's pretty rock. I was just responding to the macro comment, offering my experience with it.

 

[Eric Cohen]

Does the phosphate Rx remove the bound phosphates in the rock?

I think it’s more of a neutralizer in the water but you can safely dose regularly and cheaply.

 

[reeftwincities]

I just received 40 lbs from unique corals. Lots of pictures in my tank build thread — great stuff! https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...build-red-sea-525-xl-g2.920300/#post-10633997

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I just received 40 lbs from unique corals. Lots of pictures in my tank build thread — great stuff! https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...build-red-sea-525-xl-g2.920300/#post-10633997

Looks awesome!...that must've cost an arm and a leg though

 

[reeftwincities]

Looks awesome!...that must've cost an arm and a leg though

I’m trying not to think about it…lol but then I see torch corals selling for hundreds and hundreds of dollars and I don’t feel that bad spending for quality on rock I’ll probably use the rest of my fish keeping days in some capacity.
I had gotten 10 lbs from unique corals before so knew what to expect. I’ve also gotten 25 lbs from Tampa Bay and was really happy with it. Tons and tons of life (couple brittle stars, snails, feather dusters and yes lots of gorilla crabs). The Australian rock I’ve gotten has had less big fauna like crabs but tons of different and unique corraline and halimedia. It’s also a bit lighter and you can tell has been cooking in the oceans for many years (which frankly gives me some guilt). I’d buy Tampa Bay again. Just wanted this Australian rock as it reminds me of the old Fiji stuff back in the day and not sure how long it’ll be available.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I’m trying not to think about it…lol but then I see torch corals selling for hundreds and hundreds of dollars and I don’t feel that bad spending for quality on rock I’ll probably use the rest of my fish keeping days in some capacity.
I had gotten 10 lbs from unique corals before so knew what to expect. I’ve also gotten 25 lbs from Tampa Bay and was really happy with it. Tons and tons of life (couple brittle stars, snails, feather dusters and yes lots of gorilla crabs). The Australian rock I’ve gotten has had less big fauna like crabs but tons of different and unique corraline and halimedia. It’s also a bit lighter and you can tell has been cooking in the oceans for many years (which frankly gives me some guilt). I’d buy Tampa Bay again. Just wanted this Australian rock as it reminds me of the old Fiji stuff back in the day and not sure how long it’ll be available.

I feel ya! I like the rock fresh from the ocean that we have available here and you're right in saying that when you put it into perspective it's really not that crazy because it's going to be a part of your tank for as long as it's set up vs an expensive coral which may die in a week. It's definitely one of the best investments you can make in your tank imo!