[Dentoid]

Playing the devils advocate. Mixing LR from two different oceans, is similar to putting an Arctic rock in say Antarctica. Sure it's cold in both places but the organisms that survive and coexist together in the arctic region are not found in the Antarctic and vice versa. Or expecting a Pacific species, like an anemone fish, to coexist with an Atlantic anemone. I think this is true of many of the species we bring into our homes, wether is be fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, (the list goes on) and insist that they coexist together. Then wonder why they aren't doing well. Sure, we are just talking about LR, but good quality LR harbors many species. It goes back to having a plan for your aquarium. If your plan is to mix LR from two different oceans and then study the interactions-that's great. But with a small ecosystem, and the beauty and fragility of our oceans, I recommend picking LR and organisms and species of invertebrates and fishes that come from that region. A Gulf of Mexico patch reef could be set up using the LR from TBSaltwater as JFJJr has suggested or some type or Red Sea or Pacific style system, a Clam lagoon or brackish system... At any rate good luck and happy reefing.