Aquacultured live rock?

UCBryant · 12/11/2007, 05:15 PM

Has anyone ordered from here: http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/index.html

My friends and I are thinking of getting some. Is there anything we should watch out for?

Thakr21 · 12/11/2007, 06:08 PM

Nope

Agu · 12/11/2007, 07:22 PM

TBS rock is terrestrial rock that's seeded in the Gulf. It's more dense than live rock and therefore takes up less space per pound (another reason pounds per gallon is worthless

). Obviously it's also less porous.

TBS rock has a reputation of harboring nuisance crabs and mantis shrimp. Probably more a function of it not being shipped half way around the world wrapped in newspapers and then being transported a couple more times. It's fresher rock and will have more life, some of which you may not want.

TBS rock is an ecologically sound choice imo if that makes a difference.

tanked3333 · 12/12/2007, 08:59 AM

I just purchased some aquaculture from Dan..He sells on EBAY

occasionally in 100 lb units...was very pleased..Out of the ocean on

Sunday and in my tank on Tuesday..Only one rock had to be seperated

b/c of some sponge dieoff....No other ammonia or nitrite spike.

Of course I picked it up and transported underwater though.

Timbor · 12/12/2007, 10:17 AM

I have heard lots of good things about TBS, but I think it will depend on what you want out of your live rock.

If you want live rock that you can just put in your tank and cover it with new corals that you are going to buy, I would not recommend TBS.

I would say TBS is more suited to the aquarist who wants to see lots of variety of life on their live rock, and doesn't mind taking time to remove potential pests (ie crabs and mantis). I would suit it more to someone who is interested in the ecology that can be seen in the ocean.

TBS has a forum here on RC, in the vendor section. There are lots of pics of the rock that was sent to customers in there.

HTH,

Tim

landlord · 12/12/2007, 10:58 AM

I have ordered from TBS. It was my first tank, couldn't have been happier. Lots to look at. I did not think the hitchhikers were a big deal. They were pretty interesting to look at.

I have since set up a new tank and wanted to go in a different direction with it so I opted for a different liverock choice.

In any case I was pleased. FWIW --landlord

12/11/2007, 05:15 PM	#1
UCBryant Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 66	Aquacultured live rock? Has anyone ordered from here: http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/index.html My friends and I are thinking of getting some. Is there anything we should watch out for?

12/11/2007, 07:22 PM	#3
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	TBS rock is terrestrial rock that's seeded in the Gulf. It's more dense than live rock and therefore takes up less space per pound (another reason pounds per gallon is worthless ). Obviously it's also less porous. TBS rock has a reputation of harboring nuisance crabs and mantis shrimp. Probably more a function of it not being shipped half way around the world wrapped in newspapers and then being transported a couple more times. It's fresher rock and will have more life, some of which you may not want. TBS rock is an ecologically sound choice imo if that makes a difference. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

12/12/2007, 10:17 AM	#5
Timbor Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 554	I have heard lots of good things about TBS, but I think it will depend on what you want out of your live rock. If you want live rock that you can just put in your tank and cover it with new corals that you are going to buy, I would not recommend TBS. I would say TBS is more suited to the aquarist who wants to see lots of variety of life on their live rock, and doesn't mind taking time to remove potential pests (ie crabs and mantis). I would suit it more to someone who is interested in the ecology that can be seen in the ocean. TBS has a forum here on RC, in the vendor section. There are lots of pics of the rock that was sent to customers in there. HTH, Tim __________________ "I bet a funny thing about driving a car off a cliff is; while you're in midair you still hit those brakes... Hey, better try the emergency brake! - J.H." Current Tank Info: None currently

12/12/2007, 10:58 AM	#6
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	I have ordered from TBS. It was my first tank, couldn't have been happier. Lots to look at. I did not think the hitchhikers were a big deal. They were pretty interesting to look at. I have since set up a new tank and wanted to go in a different direction with it so I opted for a different liverock choice. In any case I was pleased. FWIW --landlord __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

12/11/2007, 06:08 PM	#2
Thakr21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 39	Nope

12/12/2007, 08:59 AM	#4
tanked3333 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SW Florida Posts: 60	I just purchased some aquaculture from Dan..He sells on EBAY occasionally in 100 lb units...was very pleased..Out of the ocean on Sunday and in my tank on Tuesday..Only one rock had to be seperated b/c of some sponge dieoff....No other ammonia or nitrite spike. Of course I picked it up and transported underwater though.