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08/14/2010, 09:52 AM | #1 |
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If you could start over: Live Rock or Dry?
I posed this question in my build thread, and I'm getting some response, but I thought I'd open it up to a wider audience.
With the goal of keeping a successful sps tank, if you could start over from scratch and build a new tank, would you use Dry rock or Live? Why? Cost should be ignored as a factor. Thanks! |
08/14/2010, 10:08 AM | #2 |
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I'd go with dry rock if I were to start over, and that's probably the route I'll go on future tanks.
For me cost is a big factor. Beyond that...Pest free, less of an impact on the reefs, easier to aquascape (because you can set it up, drill it, use acrylice rods/ PVC racks/ foam/ etc all while it's dry), and the shapes I've seen out of stuff like the BRS rock & Marco Rocks is fantastic. |
08/14/2010, 10:16 AM | #3 |
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Definitely dry rocks. 2 main of reasons:
1. All the unwanted pests in live rock (crabs, algae, etc.); and 2. It takes longer to cure live rock (even if purchased as "live rock"). In a couple months all dry rock will turn into live rock in your system. IMO, it's better to add what you want to add than to have to take out what you didn't intend to add to the system.
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Andy -------------------- 36x24x18 rimless SPS dominated tank, Hamilton Cebu 250W radium + 4 39W T5's, ATB 840 v1.5, mp40, 2 mp10's, Tunze silence return, APEX controller, BM 3 pump doser. |
08/14/2010, 12:26 PM | #4 |
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+1
All future tanks will be started with dead rock that I seed. I am more concerned about nutrients locked in the surface of the rock than anything.
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More than a hobby Current Tank Info: 29g SPS Tank. 12g Sump, ER RS-135, 2x K3s, 8x 24w T5HO |
08/14/2010, 01:20 PM | #5 |
The DQ King
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I typically go LR, but it makes sense what these guys say. Although how do u "seed" dry rock?
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08/14/2010, 01:36 PM | #6 |
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100% dry no question.
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08/14/2010, 01:41 PM | #7 |
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Done both. Dry is the way to go! I will never buy live rock again.
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08/14/2010, 02:02 PM | #8 |
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dry rock for sculpting and epoxing every thing together...
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I enjoy long walks, next to my reef tank...LOVE 303 Current Tank Info: water box |
08/14/2010, 05:03 PM | #9 |
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Thanks for the responses! Keep them coming.... Has anyone had specific experiences that have motivated their answer?
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08/14/2010, 05:14 PM | #10 |
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real liverock all the way.
save the dead dry rock for FOWLR's.
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over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems *see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB* GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors |
08/14/2010, 06:18 PM | #11 |
Moved On
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I would only add live pieces that have been with me a year or more that had to be added but dry all the way you can aquascape without all the mess.
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08/14/2010, 06:47 PM | #12 |
Slayer of Mice
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I think we have a winner...
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America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh? |
08/14/2010, 07:23 PM | #13 |
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Dry for sure.
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150g sps display with basement sump. |
08/14/2010, 07:30 PM | #14 |
The DQ King
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Im about to setup a new tank this week and im torn on what to do. My buddy just got some rock from DR.Mac and it looks amazing. Im going bare bottom on the new tank so i figure this might be the route to go just to ensure i can cement them all together..
hmmmm |
08/14/2010, 07:46 PM | #15 |
BOSS
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Location: Las Vegas
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Setting up another tank right now using dry rock. I've got some marco look alike rock. Bout the acrylic rods and epoxy. What is the easesr way to drill it without it crumbling? Masonry bit or what?
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08/14/2010, 10:15 PM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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08/14/2010, 10:34 PM | #17 |
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I just setup my newest tank with all diy rock. I'm so glad I did. No nutient issues. No hydroids, aiptasia, crabs, mantis shrimp, etc. I was a bit worried about biodiversity, so I added things from other tanks of mine as well as tanks from work, bacteria, coralline, mini turbos, those little white sponges, ball sponges, copepods, small bristleworms, mini serpent stars, pygmy conch, etc. The 5 lb. of chaeto I added helped alot too. I also added the water from my frozen foods for the first week as well as carbon dosed. The tank is barely a month old, and I have undetectable nitrates and phosphates, my alkalinity is stable, and it's stocked with numerous acros and a couple fish that get fed 3-5 times daily. Definitely the fastest reef I've cycled to date.
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08/14/2010, 11:03 PM | #18 |
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Dry rock 90% with a couple pcs of LR from an established tank, (inspect for pests & aiptasia), not uncured stuff.
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"If you have more than one tank in your livingroom, you might be a reefneck" Current Tank Info: 180r SoCal Creations, 75g SCC1M Sump, WM EcoBAK, NextReef SMR1, TropicMarin Salt, ACIII, 3x250w HQI Phoenix 14k, 2x140w Super Actinics, ATi BM250, Eheim 1262, Tunze 2x6100+7095, Tunze Osmolator, 6 stage RODI w/ Spectrapure MaxCap |
08/14/2010, 11:30 PM | #19 |
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I couldn't agree more with reef doug. Using both types is the best of both worlds. Using some liverock for biodiversity and live rock for aquascaping and no pests. It's the route that I'm going to go with my new 75 gallon.
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08/15/2010, 03:48 AM | #20 |
Moved On
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Location: Canada, Ontario
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Definitely dry rock, then just throw one pest free rock from a well established tank and potentially a little bit of live sand in and call it a day. Takes a little longer sure but no pests, cheaper and easier to work with.
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08/15/2010, 05:20 AM | #21 |
Ancient Eskimo Legend
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Liverock for me because of the biodiversity it adds.
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The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef |
08/15/2010, 06:33 AM | #22 |
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interesting. The two lifers in this thread chose real liverock.............
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over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems *see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB* GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors |
08/15/2010, 08:32 AM | #23 | |
Fish heads unite!
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Quote:
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Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT. |
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08/15/2010, 08:55 AM | #24 | |
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Quote:
Last edited by joshbryer; 08/15/2010 at 09:03 AM. |
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08/15/2010, 09:35 AM | #25 |
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my short answer:
biodiversity
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over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems *see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB* GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors |
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