Questions on LR - first time SW guy here

jparamch · 02/07/2007, 10:20 PM

Hi,

First off I must say thank you to everyone! I've been lurking here for a while during my research phase of my tank and I think I've done well on what I obtained. A guy was selling his setup due to work interfering with his time and I got a great deal on his gear. I ended up with a 60G tank, stand, canopy, sump, pump, amiracle skimmer, actinic and MH lighting with a moonlight setup as well.

With regards to starting out - I am considering the package from Tampa Bay Saltwater because it's an all in one, and I get the nice cleaning crew for a decent price. But in doing more looking, I REALLY like the look of LR from other places. What are peoples thoughts on getting a smaller version of the package from TBS and supplementing it with some other LR like the Marshal Islands or Tonga rock with the different colored coraline?

Thanks! Once I get my stuff setup I'll be posting pics, and asking more and more questions!

Jeff

Agu · 02/07/2007, 10:25 PM

To Reef Central

TBS rock has a lot of life on/in it because it's not shipped half the way around the world. That can be good or bad. It's also rather dense because it's terrestrial rock seeded in the gulf. Using other rock will increase your bio-diversity. I'd say go for the variety.

jparamch · 02/07/2007, 10:28 PM

Thanks for the welcome :-)

I do like all the life on the rock from TBS - and the ease of their package. Any recommendations on places to get some other decent rock? I see tons of places to buy online, but don't know who to trust.

Gundo5000 · 02/07/2007, 11:03 PM

What about rock from your lfs?

jparamch · 02/07/2007, 11:33 PM

the rock i've seen at the LFS pales in comparison to online stores...but there are a couple more I can check out.

drummereef · 02/07/2007, 11:53 PM

The pics of TBS rock actually scare me sometimes. Yes, it's beautiful at first glance and teeming with life, but after all that stuff grows out you probably have a big mess on your hands. The ones I've seen have crazy amounts of macro growing on them.

jparamch · 02/08/2007, 11:47 AM

Does anyone on this section of the forum have experience with TBS? Does it turn into a mess?

Also - any other opinions on reputable online places for rock?

Shagsbeard · 02/08/2007, 11:56 AM

TBS rocks are cultured rather than being ripped off a reef from the wild. They are full of life that you may or may not want in your tank. Most come with mantis shrimp for instance... mantis are preditors that can turn into problems if they get large enough to start taking out your fish and stuff.

But it's eco-friendly, and very very interesting rock in your tank. I'd have gotten some, but I'm hesitant to ship it x-country.

Edit: There's lots of other reputable rock dealers. Some culture their rocks, and some harvest reefs. People are gradually destroying habitat... but realistically there's so much reef in the world that we're not even scratching it with the hobby.

SaltyDr · 02/08/2007, 04:26 PM

Go to the sponsor section and check out TBS (if you haven't already). There are lots of places to get nice rock. Premium aquatics seems to always get good marks from people on here. Check out the vendor feedback forum. Just remember that the pictures on line are not always exactly what you will get. They are trying to sell you something afterall. Best to get rock in the shapes that you want because coralline will eventually cover whatever rock you have and if you are planning on having a lot of coral, you won't see much of the rock anyway.

02/07/2007, 10:20 PM	#1
jparamch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 32	Questions on LR - first time SW guy here Hi, First off I must say thank you to everyone! I've been lurking here for a while during my research phase of my tank and I think I've done well on what I obtained. A guy was selling his setup due to work interfering with his time and I got a great deal on his gear. I ended up with a 60G tank, stand, canopy, sump, pump, amiracle skimmer, actinic and MH lighting with a moonlight setup as well. With regards to starting out - I am considering the package from Tampa Bay Saltwater because it's an all in one, and I get the nice cleaning crew for a decent price. But in doing more looking, I REALLY like the look of LR from other places. What are peoples thoughts on getting a smaller version of the package from TBS and supplementing it with some other LR like the Marshal Islands or Tonga rock with the different colored coraline? Thanks! Once I get my stuff setup I'll be posting pics, and asking more and more questions! Jeff

02/07/2007, 10:25 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	*To Reef Central* TBS rock has a lot of life on/in it because it's not shipped half the way around the world. That can be good or bad. It's also rather dense because it's terrestrial rock seeded in the gulf. Using other rock will increase your bio-diversity. I'd say go for the variety. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

02/07/2007, 11:03 PM	#4
Gundo5000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,534	What about rock from your lfs? __________________ GUNDO

02/07/2007, 11:53 PM	#6
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	The pics of TBS rock actually scare me sometimes. Yes, it's beautiful at first glance and teeming with life, but after all that stuff grows out you probably have a big mess on your hands. The ones I've seen have crazy amounts of macro growing on them. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

02/07/2007, 10:28 PM	#3
jparamch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 32	Thanks for the welcome :-) I do like all the life on the rock from TBS - and the ease of their package. Any recommendations on places to get some other decent rock? I see tons of places to buy online, but don't know who to trust.

02/07/2007, 11:33 PM	#5
jparamch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 32	the rock i've seen at the LFS pales in comparison to online stores...but there are a couple more I can check out.

02/08/2007, 11:47 AM	#7
jparamch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 32	Does anyone on this section of the forum have experience with TBS? Does it turn into a mess? Also - any other opinions on reputable online places for rock?

02/08/2007, 11:56 AM	#8
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	TBS rocks are cultured rather than being ripped off a reef from the wild. They are full of life that you may or may not want in your tank. Most come with mantis shrimp for instance... mantis are preditors that can turn into problems if they get large enough to start taking out your fish and stuff. But it's eco-friendly, and very very interesting rock in your tank. I'd have gotten some, but I'm hesitant to ship it x-country. Edit: There's lots of other reputable rock dealers. Some culture their rocks, and some harvest reefs. People are gradually destroying habitat... but realistically there's so much reef in the world that we're not even scratching it with the hobby.

02/08/2007, 04:26 PM	#9
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	Go to the sponsor section and check out TBS (if you haven't already). There are lots of places to get nice rock. Premium aquatics seems to always get good marks from people on here. Check out the vendor feedback forum. Just remember that the pictures on line are not always exactly what you will get. They are trying to sell you something afterall. Best to get rock in the shapes that you want because coralline will eventually cover whatever rock you have and if you are planning on having a lot of coral, you won't see much of the rock anyway.