Live rock question.

SquidHC · 10/18/2010, 05:03 PM

I've been in the hobby for some time, but am always trying to do things better. I am in the planning mode of a new 150g reef. In my planning of my aquascaping, I am considering the option of using dry rock. In the past, I have run into issues with bubble algea, aptasia, and other pests. If I were to use dry rock, none of these would be an issue. However the trade offs of the lack of established bacteria, and all the cool little critters that come along with healthy live rock, make me apprehensive.

I'd love some input on diferent thoughs about this, especially from people who started with all dry rock.

saltymight · 10/18/2010, 05:12 PM

I would think that grabbing sand from another tank would be good. You can always buy pods, or cheato always has critters in it, and of course it would take a while for much to get establishing from it. funny thing is I was thinking about that same thing today. What if i just used plain old rock.

SquidHC · 10/18/2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltymight

What if i just used plain old rock.

I don't intend on taking it that far, but was considering some of the "Reef Saver Rock" advertised on here. It's enviro friendly, and fairly inexpensive. They seem to have lot's of good reviews.

5ft24 · 10/18/2010, 05:21 PM

saltymight,
Plain old rock could be a problem... It's silica based which is something you want to keep to a minimum in your tank... Calcium based rock from the ocean, or the aragocrete made rocks etc are all a calcium source for the tank, without the silica...

Whisperer · 10/18/2010, 05:39 PM

I started a 90G end of July using only Marco Rocks and Carib Sea sand. After setting up, I used shrimp legs to cycle (I ate the shrimps

). There was an amazing amount of white mucus slime all over after a few days. This went away with filter socks and high flow. I was careful not to introduce pests after the cycle was complete. Coralline has just started to grow on the rocks. I also had a bloom of GHA but disappeared when I got a yellow tang and LMB. I did not have diatom bloom whatsoever. One misstep I made was when I did not dip the corals that came with AEFW, I got this coral from a sponsor here ( PM me if you want to know), this is the second time I got infested coral from them. Now I have flatworms that I confirmed earlier today when I dipped the coral in fresh water. The flatworms fell off the coral. I forgot to mention, I populated my tank with pods I bought from SWF. I now have plenty of pods that my red mandarin is thriving in this young tank with zero live rock from the start.

johnwonus · 10/18/2010, 06:51 PM

You could use mostly 'dead' rock of some type and add a piece or two of premium live rock and let the critter from the live rock spread to the 'dead' rock. I don't think you will avoid some of the common pests by buying all 'dead' rock. Besides, dealing with the pests we get is half the fun.....isn't it???? Hello? Anybody???

10/18/2010, 05:03 PM	#1
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	Live rock question. I've been in the hobby for some time, but am always trying to do things better. I am in the planning mode of a new 150g reef. In my planning of my aquascaping, I am considering the option of using dry rock. In the past, I have run into issues with bubble algea, aptasia, and other pests. If I were to use dry rock, none of these would be an issue. However the trade offs of the lack of established bacteria, and all the cool little critters that come along with healthy live rock, make me apprehensive. I'd love some input on diferent thoughs about this, especially from people who started with all dry rock. __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

10/18/2010, 05:39 PM	#5
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	I started a 90G end of July using only Marco Rocks and Carib Sea sand. After setting up, I used shrimp legs to cycle (I ate the shrimps ). There was an amazing amount of white mucus slime all over after a few days. This went away with filter socks and high flow. I was careful not to introduce pests after the cycle was complete. Coralline has just started to grow on the rocks. I also had a bloom of GHA but disappeared when I got a yellow tang and LMB. I did not have diatom bloom whatsoever. One misstep I made was when I did not dip the corals that came with AEFW, I got this coral from a sponsor here ( PM me if you want to know), this is the second time I got infested coral from them. Now I have flatworms that I confirmed earlier today when I dipped the coral in fresh water. The flatworms fell off the coral. I forgot to mention, I populated my tank with pods I bought from SWF. I now have plenty of pods that my red mandarin is thriving in this young tank with zero live rock from the start. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

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10/18/2010, 05:12 PM	#2
saltymight Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Clay, Ny Posts: 860	I would think that grabbing sand from another tank would be good. You can always buy pods, or cheato always has critters in it, and of course it would take a while for much to get establishing from it. funny thing is I was thinking about that same thing today. What if i just used plain old rock.

10/18/2010, 05:21 PM	#4
5ft24 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 231	saltymight, Plain old rock could be a problem... It's silica based which is something you want to keep to a minimum in your tank... Calcium based rock from the ocean, or the aragocrete made rocks etc are all a calcium source for the tank, without the silica...

10/18/2010, 06:51 PM	#6
johnwonus Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 90	You could use mostly 'dead' rock of some type and add a piece or two of premium live rock and let the critter from the live rock spread to the 'dead' rock. I don't think you will avoid some of the common pests by buying all 'dead' rock. Besides, dealing with the pests we get is half the fun.....isn't it???? Hello? Anybody???