Help me choose LR for my new 55g :)

chrisstie · 10/21/2006, 01:00 PM

Hello all

I wish I had more first hadn experience with this. I have a 12g nano which was a breeeeeze to setup, but now I'm doing a 55g and need to make some critical choices for LR.

I already did price comparison shopping and have decided to purchase my LR directly from my LFS - I will be purchasing a whole box of rock that will be uncured and I get to clean and cure it myself in my tank which will be fun! It also lets me get some nice rock around $5\lb

I know, I know, look for used rock etc etc.. but this is my first and probably final "big" tank for a few years until i graduate and can afford a place to have a larger tank and all the equipment that goes with.

Now my choices: Tongan Fusion Branch or the Premium Fiji rock

Which would you pick and why?

Lizz85 · 10/21/2006, 01:38 PM

I like Figi Rock for the color and size of pieces. I have never been a fan of branch rock, but that's just my opinion. I have always purchased uncured rock, for the exact reasons you stated. Fiji, I believe, is more pourous as well, more space for good bacteria to grow.

nmprisons · 10/21/2006, 02:18 PM

check out the stuff from premiumaquatics.com ... their marshall island and kaelini are awesome.

rickbirdman · 10/21/2006, 02:50 PM

you might want to check tampa bay saltwater. they are a sponser and have killer rock that would look great in the 55. or look on craigslist.org and u might find a good deal on rock near by.

chrisstie · 10/21/2006, 02:53 PM

nmprisons -That stuff is okay but not really choice a or b

And besides I will be able to pick this stuff up from my LFS and have it in my tank within hours of it arriving...

rick- as far as tampabaysaltwater goes - I love all of the wonderful stuff i've seen on here about it but "the package" for my 55 would cost about $700 BEFORE shipping. My LFS "package" that would be roughly 45-65 lbs of LR (Depends on which i go with) and around 90 lbs of sand (3" sand bed.. maybe some for my fuge too) and the total would be at the max around $400 and the LFS is like 15-20 mins away. I've also heard some folk talk about the rock itself- not its quality of cool hitchikers- but the rock called something similar to concrete because it is dense and not as porous as other available rock. For me, I'd like to support my LFS

and save the $$

I'm just not sure which I like better. the Fiji seems more.. rock-ish, like when you think of a rock you think of something more solid and block shaped..

the tonga stuff is really actually cool looking to me but i'm unsure if it would be any good to really build fun stuff when aquascaping or if its odd shape would make for unstable structures.

I would have to double check my email but I think the LFS said the fiji stuff is actually a little more dense as well... Which makes sense simply because of the shape. I know both are very good rock and it wont be much of an issue a year or so down the line when I've hopefully smothered it with coral but I'd like to have the best eco system I can as well in my tank.

chrisstie · 10/22/2006, 09:13 AM

*poke* any other opinions?

nmprisons · 10/22/2006, 09:38 AM

frankly, i would mix the two. all branch ends up looking fake, imo but a little adds some diversity to the tank.

chrisstie · 10/22/2006, 10:03 AM

I was actually thinking of doing a mix but having it be mostly fiji (like i'd buy the whole box) and then supplementing more decorative looking rock for the "tops" of the shapes i make.. I hope it would look good!

nmprisons · 10/22/2006, 10:08 AM

I know this isn't A or B, but do you have a car? If so, you should drive down to tampabaysaltwater.com and pick up there stuff ... it is awesome

10/21/2006, 01:00 PM	#1
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	Help me choose LR for my new 55g :) Hello all I wish I had more first hadn experience with this. I have a 12g nano which was a breeeeeze to setup, but now I'm doing a 55g and need to make some critical choices for LR. I already did price comparison shopping and have decided to purchase my LR directly from my LFS - I will be purchasing a whole box of rock that will be uncured and I get to clean and cure it myself in my tank which will be fun! It also lets me get some nice rock around $5\lb I know, I know, look for used rock etc etc.. but this is my first and probably final "big" tank for a few years until i graduate and can afford a place to have a larger tank and all the equipment that goes with. Now my choices: Tongan Fusion Branch or the Premium Fiji rock Which would you pick and why?

10/21/2006, 02:18 PM	#3
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	check out the stuff from premiumaquatics.com ... their marshall island and kaelini are awesome. __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

10/21/2006, 02:53 PM	#5
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	nmprisons -That stuff is okay but not really choice a or b And besides I will be able to pick this stuff up from my LFS and have it in my tank within hours of it arriving... rick- as far as tampabaysaltwater goes - I love all of the wonderful stuff i've seen on here about it but "the package" for my 55 would cost about $700 BEFORE shipping. My LFS "package" that would be roughly 45-65 lbs of LR (Depends on which i go with) and around 90 lbs of sand (3" sand bed.. maybe some for my fuge too) and the total would be at the max around $400 and the LFS is like 15-20 mins away. I've also heard some folk talk about the rock itself- not its quality of cool hitchikers- but the rock called something similar to concrete because it is dense and not as porous as other available rock. For me, I'd like to support my LFS and save the $$ I'm just not sure which I like better. the Fiji seems more.. rock-ish, like when you think of a rock you think of something more solid and block shaped.. the tonga stuff is really actually cool looking to me but i'm unsure if it would be any good to really build fun stuff when aquascaping or if its odd shape would make for unstable structures. I would have to double check my email but I think the LFS said the fiji stuff is actually a little more dense as well... Which makes sense simply because of the shape. I know both are very good rock and it wont be much of an issue a year or so down the line when I've hopefully smothered it with coral but I'd like to have the best eco system I can as well in my tank. __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

10/22/2006, 09:13 AM	#6
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	poke any other opinions? __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

10/22/2006, 09:38 AM	#7
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	frankly, i would mix the two. all branch ends up looking fake, imo but a little adds some diversity to the tank. __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

10/21/2006, 01:38 PM	#2
Lizz85 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 67	I like Figi Rock for the color and size of pieces. I have never been a fan of branch rock, but that's just my opinion. I have always purchased uncured rock, for the exact reasons you stated. Fiji, I believe, is more pourous as well, more space for good bacteria to grow.

10/21/2006, 02:50 PM	#4
rickbirdman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hollister, Ca Posts: 303	you might want to check tampa bay saltwater. they are a sponser and have killer rock that would look great in the 55. or look on craigslist.org and u might find a good deal on rock near by.

10/22/2006, 10:03 AM	#8
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	I was actually thinking of doing a mix but having it be mostly fiji (like i'd buy the whole box) and then supplementing more decorative looking rock for the "tops" of the shapes i make.. I hope it would look good! __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

10/22/2006, 10:08 AM	#9
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	I know this isn't A or B, but do you have a car? If so, you should drive down to tampabaysaltwater.com and pick up there stuff ... it is awesome __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer