Nice-looking stuff! As far as the algae, I'd suspect that it's just the normal "new reef" thing...I honestly don't know about the possible chemical impact of any of the artificial rocks on water parameters. I'm sure a lot of good information can be had from the manufacturers, of course, but it's something worth looking into!I went with the Walt Smith 2.1 dry rock . Pretty happy with it and a little goes a long way. I am experiencing a bacterial bloom at the 2 month mark though, not sure if it has anything to do with the man made rock or not though. Here's a pic
Plus ten for the theme...well done!I make my own ceramic sculptures. Inspired by the original, gooch.
- B
OMG, Chuck...This is quite an honor...I've studied your website and referred people there for years. You even gave me permission to se pics in a couple of my MACNA talks some time back...LOVE your site.Having retired to the Philippines in 2004, I simply can't imagine having to buy what is called "live rock" as I have been spoiled rotten in being able to hand pick anything and everything right out of the ocean. As such, I of course do have to quarantine any rocks to get rid of the mantis shrimp and various crabs. I also have my choice of macro algae covered rocks or your basic encrusted rock from near the coral reef wall (as shown in the reef tour link below).
I will be filling a new tank this next week with it's initial sand and water and will then be on the hunt for uniquely shaped live rocks to create the initial landscape.
Here is an example of what I could run off with by the truck load if need be...lol
My diving / snorkeling grounds
http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/reeftour.html
Great pics and interesting 'scape, too! Love that coralline!
Tukani rock
The second picture is after being in my tank for 3 years. Talk about diversity in coralline! You will probably experience a tank that's too clean tough.
Yeah, I think it's how we look at the "pests", really...I mean, even flatworms are common on a reef and are part of the diversity...It's juts problematic as heck in a closed system!
Lol.... Thanks for the "kind words"
Having retired to the Philippines in 2004, I simply can't imagine having to buy what is called "live rock" as I have been spoiled rotten in being able to hand pick anything and everything right out of the ocean. As such, I of course do have to quarantine any rocks to get rid of the mantis shrimp and various crabs. I also have my choice of macro algae covered rocks or your basic encrusted rock from near the coral reef wall (as shown in the reef tour link below).
I will be filling a new tank this next week with it's initial sand and water and will then be on the hunt for uniquely shaped live rocks to create the initial landscape.
Here is an example of what I could run off with by the truck load if need be...lol
My diving / snorkeling grounds
http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/reeftour.html
It looks like most hobbyists are favoring using dead rock to aquascape their tanks. I've had marine tanks for over forty years. Originally they were all filled with dead corals and fish used to cycle. Over the years I've gotten away from both cycling with fish and using dead rock or corals as the aquascape. Today my tanks may have a bit of dry rock for base rock but the majority of my rock is fresh, live, and uncured. There are many types of live and dead rock available but I prefer rock that was added to the ocean and then harvested years later. I like the variety of animals and plants on the live rock. I'm one of those who enjoy the rock itself more than fish. I'm also able to skip most of the cycling of a new tank. I just assemble and allow to run, slowly adding corals or a few fish. Never any noticable rise in ammonia or nitrates. Live rock often contains bacteria that will break some nitrates down and the tank systems can handle the rest. The only downside I see is the rock is often growing different types of macro's and the growth can be rapid in a new system until the bacteria, pods and cuc can balance out the growth against the initial higher nutrients of the new tank system. I think adding pests on fresh rock is overhyped and likely only happens rarely. The benefits of adding live sponges, clams, dusters and other worms are probably under appreciated. I never buy rock that is cured but for some I realize it's difficult to find fresh rock without having it overnite air freighted. It's hard for me to see how anyone can consider fresh rock allowed to dry for a week or more to be live rock. Most of the life has died and then needs to be cleaned off (cured) before it can be used. Now that I'm a senior I no longer want to wait months for dead rock to even begin to look like live rock and it can take a considerable amount of time to get to that level. Here's my latest small reef (54g) at the ripe old age of one week. Now at three weeks with daily feeding of the clams, corals, tunicates, feather worms, there is still little evidence of cycling although there is growth of the macros as I mentioned.
It looks like most hobbyists are favoring using dead rock to aquascape their tanks. I've had marine tanks for over forty years. Originally they were all filled with dead corals and fish used to cycle. Over the years I've gotten away from both cycling with fish and using dead rock or corals as the aquascape. Today my tanks may have a bit of dry rock for base rock but the majority of my rock is fresh, live, and uncured. There are many types of live and dead rock available but I prefer rock that was added to the ocean and then harvested years later. I like the variety of animals and plants on the live rock. I'm one of those who enjoy the rock itself more than fish. I'm also able to skip most of the cycling of a new tank. I just assemble and allow to run, slowly adding corals or a few fish. Never any noticable rise in ammonia or nitrates. Live rock often contains bacteria that will break some nitrates down and the tank systems can handle the rest. The only downside I see is the rock is often growing different types of macro's and the growth can be rapid in a new system until the bacteria, pods and cuc can balance out the growth against the initial higher nutrients of the new tank system. I think adding pests on fresh rock is overhyped and likely only happens rarely. The benefits of adding live sponges, clams, dusters and other worms are probably under appreciated. I never buy rock that is cured but for some I realize it's difficult to find fresh rock without having it overnite air freighted. It's hard for me to see how anyone can consider fresh rock allowed to dry for a week or more to be live rock. Most of the life has died and then needs to be cleaned off (cured) before it can be used. Now that I'm a senior I no longer want to wait months for dead rock to even begin to look like live rock and it can take a considerable amount of time to get to that level. Here's my latest small reef (54g) at the ripe old age of one week. Now at three weeks with daily feeding of the clams, corals, tunicates, feather worms, there is still little evidence of cycling although there is growth of the macros as I mentioned.
