If you could start over: Live Rock or Dry? - Page 2

curthendrix · 08/15/2010, 11:36 AM

Dry in display and live in sump and refugium. Best of both worlds IMO. Still get the biodiversity and reduces risk of unwanted pests.

rharr21 · 08/15/2010, 12:03 PM

Dry rock for me. I've used both LR and dry rock in the past. In the future when I start a tank, I'll use dry rock and seed it with a few pieces of LR from an established pest free tank.

curthendrix · 08/15/2010, 12:05 PM

I would also seed with several different types of LR for greater diversity as well.

phenom5 · 08/15/2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

biodiversity

Couldn't you get the same biodiversity from the LR you use to seed the dry rock though?

If I pick out 4 or 5 pieces of LR, from 4 or 5 different sources to seed my dry rock, combined with any LR/ frag plugs/ tiles you get with corals seems like it would provide plenty of biodiversity.

Dog boy Dave · 08/15/2010, 12:16 PM

For a long term system, if you are patient and dont mind waiting a year or so to stabilize then live rock all the way. One mans pest is another tanks fish food. The advantage of the live rock is the diversity that it introduces. I believe the pest issue is moot. You are as likely to recieve pests from seeded rock as real live rock.
However, all that being said, for most people who are in a little bit of a hurry to make this reef thing happen, dry rock may be a better way to go.

poolkeeper1 · 08/15/2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgrog76

Done both. Dry is the way to go! I will never buy live rock again.

+1 never buy live again.
Bill

poolkeeper1 · 08/15/2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Majchrzak

biodiversity

That can very well be done with a few seed pieces of L/R? No?
Bill

dixiedog · 08/15/2010, 12:44 PM

Dry.

Biodiversity, schmiodiversity.

manix man · 08/15/2010, 01:16 PM

OK me being from the UK we only ever see live rock cured or uncured. Ocean rock, which is lime stone and dead coral.

Are you guys talking about dried out live rock to ensure no hitchers are still alive?

Reefer Steve · 08/15/2010, 02:01 PM

Seeing as three heavy posters just chose LR, I have to ask. Where are you sourcing your rock? Ive never come across LR that has looked very good.

joshbryer · 08/15/2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Steve

Seeing as three heavy posters just chose LR, I have to ask. Where are you sourcing your rock? Ive never come across LR that has looked very good.

That's probably the best question so far...especially if the answer relates to a vendor that's local to me in Southern California ;>

Dog boy Dave · 08/15/2010, 03:15 PM

A lot of my live rock was collected by myself off of vero beach in 1990. I also collected a lot of the rest personally when and where it was legal to do so over the years. I have also seen very nice live rock available at Fish and other Ichy things in Tampa over the years. I dont know if good live rock is available anymore comercially. I still have a boat and I can find my way home at night so its not really an issue.

lolgranny · 08/15/2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Steve

Seeing as three heavy posters just chose LR, I have to ask. Where are you sourcing your rock? Ive never come across LR that has looked very good.

+1 on this, although Dr. Mac just got in some rock from africa that my friend bought 50lbs of... 6$/lb shipped. Best looking rock ive seen so far. Nothing but coraline and from what it looks like there is nothing bad...yet.

george albert · 08/15/2010, 04:00 PM

Ive done both and like the dry better
1)for the aqua scapeing
2) pests pests and pests
but did use a small seed rock

rutz81 · 08/15/2010, 04:11 PM

I juststarted my tank in Febraury and I am pretty happy with starting with dry rock. It took a few months longer to get the tank seeded, but, well worth it, IMO. No pests, and a LOT cheaper; was also VERY easy to aquascape.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

shifty51008 · 08/15/2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer Steve

Seeing as three heavy posters just chose LR, I have to ask. Where are you sourcing your rock? Ive never come across LR that has looked very good.

depends on what rock you like. some people like diff. rock than others. for me I love this rock.

also I went full LR for diversity

joshbryer · 08/15/2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dog boy Dave

However, all that being said, for most people who are in a little bit of a hurry to make this reef thing happen, dry rock may be a better way to go.

Wouldn't the Dry rock actually require more patience? Someone could go by a bunch of "cured" live rock from someone's tank, wait for their 1 week cycle and decide they're ready to go, no? With dry rock it seems the wait necessary for it to become colonized might force you to really take the time to let your tank seed.

manix man · 08/15/2010, 06:38 PM

Seriously in the UK I have never heard of this dried rock you guys are talking about, I am really wondering what it is - is it live rock totally dried out?

joshbryer · 08/15/2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manix man

Seriously in the UK I have never heard of this dried rock you guys are talking about, I am really wondering what it is - is it live rock totally dried out?

Hi Manix-

Yes generally it was live in the ocean at one point but has been dried out.

See:

http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?...TS&Category=14

and

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-eco-rock.html

Gary Majchrzak · 08/15/2010, 08:08 PM

BOO!

d0ughb0y · 08/15/2010, 11:37 PM

dry rock. if you are starting over, then might as well do it right. no later suprises and what nots that comes with live rocks, I like to know exactly what goes in the tank.

stanlalee · 08/16/2010, 12:51 AM

dry by a mile. Biodiversity is way overated and the reason I DONT want live (its the unwanted biodiversity that sometimes comes with the good that's the problem). Also aquascaping dry has obvious advantages over working with something that must basically stay wet.

Venezzo · 08/16/2010, 01:18 AM

Well... IMO of course LR gives more biodiversity... That includes good and bad things as well!

As I already had 3 aquariums with LR and enjoyed the maturing process; for the next "big aquarium" I guess I will use DR; it's easier to handle and quick maturing if you do it well.

I have a friend that used for a 800L aquarium, all of DR. And actually IMO is one of the best aquascaping I've ever seen. Also we learned about the mature process with a big tank full of DR.

Definitly DR!

Greetings.

Gary Majchrzak · 08/16/2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

dry rock. if you are starting over, then might as well do it right.

is either choice the "wrong" way?

Biodiversity isn't overrated- it's underrated by most reefkeepers.
It's easy to see this after you "start over again" (ie: set up many aquariums) using different types of rock.

wakeboardgeek · 08/16/2010, 06:35 AM

Just my opinion, dry rock for the following reasons:
1. cheaper
2. pest free (including some corals you may not want; e.g. mushrooms)

It does take longer to cycle though.

08/15/2010, 11:36 AM	#26
curthendrix Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tulsa Posts: 758	Dry in display and live in sump and refugium. Best of both worlds IMO. Still get the biodiversity and reduces risk of unwanted pests. __________________ Curt Current Tank Info: 500g inwall

08/15/2010, 12:03 PM	#27
rharr21 Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Slidell, Louisiana Posts: 313	Dry rock for me. I've used both LR and dry rock in the past. In the future when I start a tank, I'll use dry rock and seed it with a few pieces of LR from an established pest free tank. Last edited by rharr21; 08/15/2010 at 12:03 PM. Reason: spelling

08/15/2010, 12:05 PM	#28
curthendrix Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tulsa Posts: 758	I would also seed with several different types of LR for greater diversity as well. __________________ Curt Current Tank Info: 500g inwall

08/15/2010, 02:01 PM	#35
Reefer Steve Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Laguna Beach Posts: 271	Seeing as three heavy posters just chose LR, I have to ask. Where are you sourcing your rock? Ive never come across LR that has looked very good. __________________ More than a hobby Current Tank Info: 29g SPS Tank. 12g Sump, ER RS-135, 2x K3s, 8x 24w T5HO

08/15/2010, 04:00 PM	#39
george albert Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: narrows,va Posts: 598	Ive done both and like the dry better 1)for the aqua scapeing 2) pests pests and pests but did use a small seed rock __________________ Enjoy your tank and help others build their dream tanks be kind share your frags :) Thanks George Current Tank Info: I have 4 clowns,2 pyramid butterflies,hector goby,scoot,hippo tang

08/15/2010, 12:16 PM	#30
Dog boy Dave Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tallahassee Florida Posts: 1,441	For a long term system, if you are patient and dont mind waiting a year or so to stabilize then live rock all the way. One mans pest is another tanks fish food. The advantage of the live rock is the diversity that it introduces. I believe the pest issue is moot. You are as likely to recieve pests from seeded rock as real live rock. However, all that being said, for most people who are in a little bit of a hurry to make this reef thing happen, dry rock may be a better way to go.

08/15/2010, 12:44 PM	#33
dixiedog Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 1,626	Dry. Biodiversity, schmiodiversity.

08/15/2010, 01:16 PM	#34
manix man Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 91	OK me being from the UK we only ever see live rock cured or uncured. Ocean rock, which is lime stone and dead coral. Are you guys talking about dried out live rock to ensure no hitchers are still alive?

08/15/2010, 03:15 PM	#37
Dog boy Dave Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tallahassee Florida Posts: 1,441	A lot of my live rock was collected by myself off of vero beach in 1990. I also collected a lot of the rest personally when and where it was legal to do so over the years. I have also seen very nice live rock available at Fish and other Ichy things in Tampa over the years. I dont know if good live rock is available anymore comercially. I still have a boat and I can find my way home at night so its not really an issue.

08/15/2010, 04:11 PM	#40
rutz81 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,779	I juststarted my tank in Febraury and I am pretty happy with starting with dry rock. It took a few months longer to get the tank seeded, but, well worth it, IMO. No pests, and a LOT cheaper; was also VERY easy to aquascape. [IMG][/IMG]

08/15/2010, 06:38 PM	#43
manix man Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 91	Seriously in the UK I have never heard of this dried rock you guys are talking about, I am really wondering what it is - is it live rock totally dried out?

08/15/2010, 08:08 PM	#45
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	frightening or fascinating? BOO! __________________ 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, 11:37 PM	#46
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	dry rock. if you are starting over, then might as well do it right. no later suprises and what nots that comes with live rocks, I like to know exactly what goes in the tank.

08/16/2010, 12:51 AM	#47
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	dry by a mile. Biodiversity is way overated and the reason I DONT want live (its the unwanted biodiversity that sometimes comes with the good that's the problem). Also aquascaping dry has obvious advantages over working with something that must basically stay wet.

08/16/2010, 01:18 AM	#48
Venezzo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Barcelona Posts: 7	Well... IMO of course LR gives more biodiversity... That includes good and bad things as well! As I already had 3 aquariums with LR and enjoyed the maturing process; for the next "big aquarium" I guess I will use DR; it's easier to handle and quick maturing if you do it well. I have a friend that used for a 800L aquarium, all of DR. And actually IMO is one of the best aquascaping I've ever seen. Also we learned about the mature process with a big tank full of DR. Definitly DR! Greetings. __________________ I'll show u my tank A.S.A.P. Current Tank Info: 510L

08/16/2010, 06:35 AM	#50
wakeboardgeek Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 373	Just my opinion, dry rock for the following reasons: 1. cheaper 2. pest free (including some corals you may not want; e.g. mushrooms) It does take longer to cycle though.

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