Rock - Fiji vs. Marshall Is. vs. Walt Smith Fiji

panic · 03/15/2006, 09:05 AM

Is there really a big difference between Fiji Premium liverock and Walt Smith liverock?

What about Marshall Island? I guess it is supposed to be a little lighter, so you get bigger pieces for the same weight, but is it really worth double the price?

What is the scoop on Kaelini? It is more than Walt Smith Fiji, but less than Marshall Island rock..

panic · 03/15/2006, 07:46 PM

?

NCreefwannabe · 03/15/2006, 08:14 PM

If you can afford it get the marshal island. Its a much nicer rock. Other than being less dense, it just looks so much nicer.

My next rock purchase will be a mix of MI and Lalo rock.

NYReef · 03/15/2006, 08:59 PM

I agree with the Marshall Island comment. I bought 35 lbs from Premium Aquatic's and the shapes are incredible, and the color really nice. I even have some green plants growing from a few crevices in the rock that came out after a week. But its the shapes that make it look great, it is really pleasing and interesting. Only down side, paying for the shipping.

old salty · 03/15/2006, 10:06 PM

When I bought the MI LR that is in my tank at the moment, I drove to Premium Aquatics. They have about five or six types of live rock to choose from in three huge vats. They allowed me to pick and choose anything I wanted. The MI was definately the nicest; it had the neatest shapes and the largest variety of coralline algae on each piece. The Kaelini was a close second. These two made the Fiji look like generic rock. Not that it was bad by any means; just not nearly as nice.

BodiBuilt · 03/15/2006, 10:46 PM

I have purchased small/medium quantity's of L.R. from several different sources and of all of them, my favorite has been some really nice aquacultured stuff my LFS was selling for $8.00#! I brought home the largest piece they had (over 13 lbs....$105.00 for just one rock?) along with a few smaller pieces. (P.S.: LFS=NO SHIPPING!)

NCreefwannabe · 03/16/2006, 12:09 AM

lFS also means $10/lb lol. You prolly coulda bought a box of MI for cheaper with shipping.

BigManBud · 03/16/2006, 12:58 AM

I second Marshall Island. I just got 120 lbs from Premium Aquatics. Great shapes, colors and even a few of the little green plants like NYReef has on his rock. I had it shipped SW Air Cargo and it wasnt too bad as far as the freight charges were concerned. I had a very light cycle, a trace of ammonia for less than a week, and I think this was due to the fast shipping. Its been a month and looks great. I dont think you can go wrong with MI.

Does anybody know what these little green sprouts are??

Lordhelmet · 03/16/2006, 01:05 AM

hey i have those little green sprouts!!!! what the heck are they? I havn't seen a thing about them.

JRPhd · 03/16/2006, 10:30 AM

Funny, I have MI rock and that sprout has turned into a plant with 4" extensions. Took a pictue of it and will try to post if I can find my USB cable

NYReef · 03/16/2006, 02:49 PM

I should have mentioned in my first post the plant is grape caulerpa, you can see the little round buds coming out. They can go asexual and cloud the water, but I will keep them in for now. I have 4 little sprouts so far about 2 to 3 inches.

JRPhd · 03/16/2006, 03:28 PM

other than 24 hour lighting and pumping Barry White tunes in the tank, what can cause them to go sexual?

03/15/2006, 09:05 AM	#1
panic Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 802	Rock - Fiji vs. Marshall Is. vs. Walt Smith Fiji Is there really a big difference between Fiji Premium liverock and Walt Smith liverock? What about Marshall Island? I guess it is supposed to be a little lighter, so you get bigger pieces for the same weight, but is it really worth double the price? What is the scoop on Kaelini? It is more than Walt Smith Fiji, but less than Marshall Island rock..

03/15/2006, 10:06 PM	#5
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	When I bought the MI LR that is in my tank at the moment, I drove to Premium Aquatics. They have about five or six types of live rock to choose from in three huge vats. They allowed me to pick and choose anything I wanted. The MI was definately the nicest; it had the neatest shapes and the largest variety of coralline algae on each piece. The Kaelini was a close second. These two made the Fiji look like generic rock. Not that it was bad by any means; just not nearly as nice. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

03/15/2006, 10:46 PM	#6
BodiBuilt Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 1,326	I have purchased small/medium quantity's of L.R. from several different sources and of all of them, my favorite has been some really nice aquacultured stuff my LFS was selling for $8.00#! I brought home the largest piece they had (over 13 lbs....$105.00 for just one rock?) along with a few smaller pieces. (P.S.: LFS=NO SHIPPING!) __________________ Tell Them Dave Was Here Current Tank Info: 280g In Progress

03/16/2006, 01:05 AM	#9
Lordhelmet Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,008	hey i have those little green sprouts!!!! what the heck are they? I havn't seen a thing about them. __________________ I need a new signiture Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 14 gallon

03/16/2006, 10:30 AM	#10
JRPhd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SE WI for now Posts: 392	Funny, I have MI rock and that sprout has turned into a plant with 4" extensions. Took a pictue of it and will try to post if I can find my USB cable __________________ Me fail Inglish, that's unpossible. Current Tank Info: 40g Oceanic stretchhex. 24" PC Aqua Lunarlights. 50lbs. Marshall LR. 2"SB. Heater. Maxi-900x2. Aqua C Remora Skimmer w/ maxi-1200. DIY HOT Fuge with Chaeto. mmmmm chaeto.

03/15/2006, 07:46 PM	#2
panic Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 802	?

03/15/2006, 08:14 PM	#3
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	If you can afford it get the marshal island. Its a much nicer rock. Other than being less dense, it just looks so much nicer. My next rock purchase will be a mix of MI and Lalo rock.

03/15/2006, 08:59 PM	#4
NYReef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 203	I agree with the Marshall Island comment. I bought 35 lbs from Premium Aquatic's and the shapes are incredible, and the color really nice. I even have some green plants growing from a few crevices in the rock that came out after a week. But its the shapes that make it look great, it is really pleasing and interesting. Only down side, paying for the shipping.

03/16/2006, 12:09 AM	#7
NCreefwannabe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 953	lFS also means $10/lb lol. You prolly coulda bought a box of MI for cheaper with shipping.

03/16/2006, 12:58 AM	#8
BigManBud Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 108	I second Marshall Island. I just got 120 lbs from Premium Aquatics. Great shapes, colors and even a few of the little green plants like NYReef has on his rock. I had it shipped SW Air Cargo and it wasnt too bad as far as the freight charges were concerned. I had a very light cycle, a trace of ammonia for less than a week, and I think this was due to the fast shipping. Its been a month and looks great. I dont think you can go wrong with MI. Does anybody know what these little green sprouts are??

03/16/2006, 02:49 PM	#11
NYReef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 203	I should have mentioned in my first post the plant is grape caulerpa, you can see the little round buds coming out. They can go asexual and cloud the water, but I will keep them in for now. I have 4 little sprouts so far about 2 to 3 inches.

03/16/2006, 03:28 PM	#12
JRPhd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SE WI for now Posts: 392	other than 24 hour lighting and pumping Barry White tunes in the tank, what can cause them to go sexual? __________________ Me fail Inglish, that's unpossible. Current Tank Info: 40g Oceanic stretchhex. 24" PC Aqua Lunarlights. 50lbs. Marshall LR. 2"SB. Heater. Maxi-900x2. Aqua C Remora Skimmer w/ maxi-1200. DIY HOT Fuge with Chaeto. mmmmm chaeto.