live rock help

[crete456]

hello all...what exactly is one looking for when purchasing live rock & can you mix different kinds...i've seen premium figi at the LFS that has a coating of light brown dirt or dust on it another LFS has what looks like coral branchs thats clean but seems to be void of all life...is this what rock should look like?...would appreciate any help...denny

[charlesr1958]

I have an example or two of what rock should / could look like and what it should not look like. Live rock that is.

Live Rock / Sand

Chuck

[crete456]

thanks Chuck...do you have an online place to purchase this type of rock because the LFS around here do not have rock that looks anywhere near like that...Denny

[Ninong]

Denny,

Chuck is in the Philippines. The live rock he pictured isn't really available here in the U.S. The closest thing you will find to what he has pictured would be Gulf of Mexico aquacultured live rock that is removed from the Gulf the same day it is shipped to you. I'm not recommending it because personally I don't care for Gulf of Mexico aquacultured live rock. I prefer live rock from the South Pacific, but that's just my personal preference.

If you want live rock with the most life on it, order uncured live rock online. You will have to cure it for three or four weeks before putting it in an established aquarium. If you're starting up a new tank, you can cure it in the tank.

I started out with fully cured live rock and I can tell you that it was covered with coralline algae within weeks after placing it in my tank. Actually, it had a lot of coralline algae on it when I received it but it didn't take long for it to get really covered. It didn't have any of the macroalgae like the live rock shown on Chuck's website, but it did have a few tiny sponges and lots and lots of tiny feather dusters, amphipods, copepods, various polychaetes, etc.

Live rock that you find in a typical LFS varies a lot in quality. Sometimes you can find some good stuff but a lot of it is not all that impressive.

Check out Reefland's sponsors. Many of them carry live rock. You might want to check out this site because they're in Maryland, fairly close to you.

[charlesr1958]

Thanks Ninong, I guess I should have stated that fact also, but my main emphasis is that I feel that those hobbyists who have no other choice than to buy it should shop around for the best uncured live rock that can be found. That is, if you are trying to actualy mimic a natural reef and your system is run as "natural" as possible. The diversity of life is something that I believe "we" as a hobby should demand and expect from suppliers since "we" are afterall paying for all that life wether we realize it or not. Plus the fact that all that life is what gives the meaning to the word reef. I will in due time add more photos to that page showing more and better examples of what a live rock should be comprised of. I think if more hobbyists knew what they are paying for and NOT getting, maybe in due time, things will change. I for one, knowing what I know now, would be outraged to shell out 5 bucks a pound and recieve a coralline encrusted rock.

Chuck

[whatevva]

The live rock he pictured isn't really available here in the U.S.

For the most part, you are correct. But it IS available! I purchased 160lbs of Indonesian rock and it was teaming with life when I recieved it, and I had very little die off. I think there is a basic problem that arrises when someone asks for a good source. EVERYONE wants to believe that they got the best rock available, and that THEIR source is, of course, the best. So I've pretty much given up telling people where to buy, because very few listen. Oh, of course, MY source IS the best!!

[whatevva]

[fish outa wata]

good one. oh and nice pieces!