Live Rock

dsmooth · 02-20-2009, 12:54 AM

I did a search but did not find what I was looking for, can someone please advise me On how to pick good quality live rock. Trying to read as much as I can before I set up my tank. I heard about wanted, and unwanted hitchhikers. thx

vdituri · 02-20-2009, 01:05 AM

The top of the line liverock will have pink and purple (possibly red) coraline algae on it. As well as sponges and or feather dusters and bristleworms living in/on it.
The next level would be with just the coraline algaes
The next level after that would be the plain white rock that is underwater.
Barring that, the rock would be just plain baserock.

Not sure how long you can keep the rock out of water and still consider it "alive". The bacteria that makes it live will start to die off before you get home.

Best approach is to purchase dry base rock (it's a lot cheaper) and let the rocks your corals are attached to seed the baserock and turn it into live rock.

Hope this helps

Dentoid · 02-20-2009, 01:26 AM

Take a look at this LR site.

Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock

Frankie · 02-20-2009, 01:30 AM

Mac just got in some great rock also. I highly recommend them. NEW Southeast Asian Liverock

dsmooth · 02-20-2009, 01:30 AM

great thx. Is there a minimum amount of live rock to base rock for a 55g? I read in a prior post that Premium Aquatics isa good source for Live rock, anyothers.

dsmooth · 02-20-2009, 01:34 AM

Thanks for everyones help, Dentoid the live rock farm in Tampa looks interesting since I live in Orlando, it's only an hour away.

Dentoid · 02-20-2009, 01:36 AM

I set up my 90 gallon with it. Couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

vdituri · 02-20-2009, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmooth

great thx. Is there a minimum amount of live rock to base rock for a 55g? I read in a prior post that Premium Aquatics isa good source for Live rock, anyothers.

A good rule of thumb is 1 pound per gallon. this is just a guideline as different kinds of live or baserock are lighter or heavier. Just a guide. The baserock will eventually become alive as it is seeded by the other rocks and bacteria

dsmooth · 02-20-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdituri

A good rule of thumb is 1 pound per gallon. this is just a guideline as different kinds of live or baserock are lighter or heavier. Just a guide. The baserock will eventually become alive as it is seeded by the other rocks and bacteria

thx but is there a ratio as in Live rock to base rock. 1# per gallon, so if I have a 55g tank out of the total 55# of rock whats the minimum amount of live rock I should put in than the rest is base rock. thx

lcstorc · 02-20-2009, 10:57 AM

Personally I go with all live rock but it all depends on how much time you want to take. The more life on the rock the faster the bacteria populate. If you have mostly base the bacteria has to multiply on the base rock before it becomes useful. I know people who have done pretty much everything from all base to all live. Personally I wouldn't go further than 50/50.
As far as Orlando are you a member of ORCA? If not it is a great club. I'm over here in Cocoa if you ever want to go LFS hopping.

michael_cb_125 · 02-20-2009, 11:06 AM

THe amount of live rock need for an individual tank varies greatly. Using a # per gallon rule is not the best route to go. All LR is different. Some rock is very dense while others are very porous. And as such 50 pounds of porous rock is far better than 50 pounds of dense rock.

The key is to get enough rock to function as a bio-filter, once that minimum is met, then it is all for asthetics.

Personally I have about .5 pounds of rock per gallon (a little less). IMO the more open rock scape is more appealing.

~Michael

lcstorc · 02-20-2009, 11:09 AM

I have a lot of my rock hidden in my sump and fuge. Another way to get a more open look.

dsmooth · 02-20-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Personally I go with all live rock but it all depends on how much time you want to take. The more life on the rock the faster the bacteria populate. If you have mostly base the bacteria has to multiply on the base rock before it becomes useful. I know people who have done pretty much everything from all base to all live. Personally I wouldn't go further than 50/50.
As far as Orlando are you a member of ORCA? If not it is a great club. I'm over here in Cocoa if you ever want to go LFS hopping.

I have as much time as it takes, that will give me more time to obtain more knowledge. I just registered for ORCAs web site yesterday, and I plan on joining the club. Thx

razorvines · 02-20-2009, 04:41 PM

Hey Lynn is there a good LFS in your area? There are 4 in my general vicinity but thought there might be some better ones over on the coast. I am in the apopka area. My mother in law found a really good one in Jenson Beach but that's a long trip.

rmlevasseur · 02-20-2009, 06:37 PM

Heh, very few people seem to be unhappy with the route they chose for live rock. I went about 70% Marco and the rest from Premium Aquatics and Reefer Madness and have been very pleased with the results. No pests, no nuisance alage, and my base rock look very much like LR in less than a year. Plus I saved a ton. I do agree though that if you go that route you have to add the livestock a little slower.

02-20-2009, 12:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
dsmooth Limpet Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orlando,Fl. Posts: 128 View Gallery Karma Komment	Live Rock I did a search but did not find what I was looking for, can someone please advise me On how to pick good quality live rock. Trying to read as much as I can before I set up my tank. I heard about wanted, and unwanted hitchhikers. thx

02-20-2009, 01:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live Rock The top of the line liverock will have pink and purple (possibly red) coraline algae on it. As well as sponges and or feather dusters and bristleworms living in/on it. The next level would be with just the coraline algaes The next level after that would be the plain white rock that is underwater. Barring that, the rock would be just plain baserock. Not sure how long you can keep the rock out of water and still consider it "alive". The bacteria that makes it live will start to die off before you get home. Best approach is to purchase dry base rock (it's a lot cheaper) and let the rocks your corals are attached to seed the baserock and turn it into live rock. Hope this helps __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

02-20-2009, 01:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
dsmooth Limpet Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orlando,Fl. Posts: 128 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live Rock great thx. Is there a minimum amount of live rock to base rock for a 55g? I read in a prior post that Premium Aquatics isa good source for Live rock, anyothers.

02-20-2009, 01:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
dsmooth Limpet Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orlando,Fl. Posts: 128 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live Rock Thanks for everyones help, Dentoid the live rock farm in Tampa looks interesting since I live in Orlando, it's only an hour away.

02-20-2009, 10:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live Rock Personally I go with all live rock but it all depends on how much time you want to take. The more life on the rock the faster the bacteria populate. If you have mostly base the bacteria has to multiply on the base rock before it becomes useful. I know people who have done pretty much everything from all base to all live. Personally I wouldn't go further than 50/50. As far as Orlando are you a member of ORCA? If not it is a great club. I'm over here in Cocoa if you ever want to go LFS hopping. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

02-20-2009, 11:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
michael_cb_125 Reef Shark Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 5,600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live Rock THe amount of live rock need for an individual tank varies greatly. Using a # per gallon rule is not the best route to go. All LR is different. Some rock is very dense while others are very porous. And as such 50 pounds of porous rock is far better than 50 pounds of dense rock. The key is to get enough rock to function as a bio-filter, once that minimum is met, then it is all for asthetics. Personally I have about .5 pounds of rock per gallon (a little less). IMO the more open rock scape is more appealing. ~Michael __________________ All Fish are "Semi-Reef Safe"

02-20-2009, 11:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live Rock I have a lot of my rock hidden in my sump and fuge. Another way to get a more open look. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

02-20-2009, 04:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
razorvines Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 389 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Live Rock Hey Lynn is there a good LFS in your area? There are 4 in my general vicinity but thought there might be some better ones over on the coast. I am in the apopka area. My mother in law found a really good one in Jenson Beach but that's a long trip.

02-20-2009, 06:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
rmlevasseur Acropora Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,849 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Live Rock Heh, very few people seem to be unhappy with the route they chose for live rock. I went about 70% Marco and the rest from Premium Aquatics and Reefer Madness and have been very pleased with the results. No pests, no nuisance alage, and my base rock look very much like LR in less than a year. Plus I saved a ton. I do agree though that if you go that route you have to add the livestock a little slower. __________________ Robert http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ufas-tank.html

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