HuduVudu
2500 Club Member
Stores do this constantly. They can get away with it because no one really talks about live rock, and with the obsession with the neo-sterile tanks nobody wants it. So new people don't even know what they don't know.
Lets talk about live ocean rock and why why we so scared bruh?
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Big Smelly fish
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is.
I’ve been using live rock since the mid 80’s, I only set up one tank other then seahorse tank with dry rock. I didn’t like the dry rock so one time was it.
The live rock has changed over the years mainly because of the Fiji, Marshall Island and other rock is not really available these days, but gulf rock has been for years and I’d what I use now. The life on gulf rock surpasses the rock from overseas when it come to life on the rock because the shorter shipping times.
The live rock has changed over the years mainly because of the Fiji, Marshall Island and other rock is not really available these days, but gulf rock has been for years and I’d what I use now. The life on gulf rock surpasses the rock from overseas when it come to life on the rock because the shorter shipping times.
He did say minus the coralThose aren't gulf zoas
BeltedCoyote
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Those aren't gulf zoas
Indeed they’re not. They’re part of the “ignore the frags cuz a friend just tossed them at me three days after I got my rock”
Big Smelly fish
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is.
This is the last rock I received from Dan . Beautiful rock
happyhourhero
Burner of the Tips
After some research it seems they are hit or miss. Mine were fine for months. My tank has not even a speck of algae so they may have just been forced to eat on the sticks.
HuduVudu
2500 Club Member
It has been some time but here is what I got on my rock. It is from the Gulf side. I a definitely agree with the shapes. I am used to the Fiji, it had really good shape.
Little green coral came with rock and clam next to it. They are still alive. Ohh and halamida is still hanging in.
Both of the Gorgonians, the red macros and the little green polyps have just popped up in the last week or so.
It is hard to see but the greyish coral in the center of the pic. I have no idea what kind of coral this is. More red macros.
This rock is really kewl. Just wanted to show it.
Little green coral came with rock and clam next to it. They are still alive. Ohh and halamida is still hanging in.
Both of the Gorgonians, the red macros and the little green polyps have just popped up in the last week or so.
It is hard to see but the greyish coral in the center of the pic. I have no idea what kind of coral this is. More red macros.
This rock is really kewl. Just wanted to show it.
Here is my KPA when I got it (last year). It is Miami oolite rock so basically same as reef saver rock in terms of shapes except it's live from the ocean. Obviously once it is in the tank for a few days... all the dusters and tunicates show up and interesting snails and starfish come out to play.
Here is the gulf live rock I received from gulfliverock.com. I don't have close ups as this was years ago... you can see some macro and some corals. It had the typical clams and nem hitchikers. They are kind of like boulders so It wasn't the rock for me. I still buy some now and again in person at the LFS when it has a cool hitchiker like a rose coral on it.
It is great for hitchiker corals and macro but if you care more about shape/scape and don't want random corals (maybe for a SPS keeper?) then KPA is a better choice. They both will have coralline/sponge and most importantly, loaded with bacteria.
Both venders have great reviews, Tampa does too. Regardless what vender you choose, you will get many benefits from choosing their rock. I think Tampa is the only place I have seen people get live fish now and again
Here is the gulf live rock I received from gulfliverock.com. I don't have close ups as this was years ago... you can see some macro and some corals. It had the typical clams and nem hitchikers. They are kind of like boulders so It wasn't the rock for me. I still buy some now and again in person at the LFS when it has a cool hitchiker like a rose coral on it.
It is great for hitchiker corals and macro but if you care more about shape/scape and don't want random corals (maybe for a SPS keeper?) then KPA is a better choice. They both will have coralline/sponge and most importantly, loaded with bacteria.
Both venders have great reviews, Tampa does too. Regardless what vender you choose, you will get many benefits from choosing their rock. I think Tampa is the only place I have seen people get live fish now and again
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LiverockRocks
Gulf of Mexico Living Rock Farmers
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Tampa Bay Reef Keepers
Just to clarify, Tampa Bay Saltwater was founded in 1990. The founder of TBS, Richard Londeree @liverock , had been depositing various types of rock on the site...yes, even millions of pounds. The rock we are currently harvesting is a mix of vintage TBS inventory, while waiting for new rocks to mature.
All live rock farmers plant new rock, and TBS chose to supplement with Walt Smith. His rock is made with natural Fiji derived ingredients; which in TBS experience, marine organisms attach to it faster than quarried rock.
All ocean aquaculture live rock venders deserve respect.
What we do is not easy, and the product we supply is so beneficial to the greater good of the reef hobby.
PM for further clarifications, final post for this thread. Thank you.
Big Smelly fish
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is.
Your rock is great also, I used it a while back. Lots of lifeJust to clarify, Tampa Bay Saltwater was founded in 1990. The founder of TBS, Richard Londeree @liverock , had been depositing various types of rock on the site...yes, even millions of pounds. The rock we are currently harvesting is a mix of vintage TBS inventory, while waiting for new rocks to mature.
All live rock farmers plant new rock, and TBS chose to supplement with Walt Smith. His rock is made with natural Fiji derived ingredients; which in TBS experience, marine organisms attach to it faster than quarried rock.
All ocean aquaculture live rock venders deserve respect.
What we do is not easy, and the product we supply is so beneficial to the greater good of the reef hobby.
Recent harvest photo.
PM for further clarifications, final post for this thread. Thank you.
KP is on a 5 acer government lease in 30 ft of water. They are all on a government lease. It is sorted in a grid and he collects rock and then dumps new replacement rock and then moves to the next plot on the grid. It soaks for about 2 years. If some one tells you there's has been soaking for 25 years I wouldn't be leave them. It is all aquaculture in US water on government leases and is illegal to pluck natural rock.
Don't buy live rock hoping you will get a little snippit of coral. If you do it will die anyway. So will the macro.
After any of them cure you goin to have pink, maroon and purple coralline incrusted rock with lots of diff colored sponge and about 80 different types of beneficial bacteria. Then add your own corals.
If you don't ship it in water about half is goin to die. Shipped in water same day air. the tank can cycle in 5 days.
I spent almost 500 on freight for getting shipped in water same day air on South West Airlines in February. Being that air freight has is 6 to 8 time higher now just 9 months later I don't think its feasible. Air freight is sky high now.
Not shipped in water ground you will have a 3-4 week cycle and man dose it stink! It will stink up the whole house . Trust me done that before. You may want to cure it in your garage in a brute can.
KP fan boy here, I'm sure there are other good ones.
I love the smell of live rock!!! No they don't. Its on a couple acers they lease from the US government. If they just pick it up any oh where. Federal charges!!!
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OP
OP
I've got quite a few corals left on the 200 lbs i ordered. Not sure why anyone would buy liverock loaded with corals unless one intended to buy rock loaded with corals?
I'm sure there's other decent rock out there but nothing I've seen comes close. Full gulf live rock fan here i guess.
For those who are curious, I had 265 pounds shipping weight from Tampa to Milwaukee last week. Cost in freight was $430. This was Southwest Airlines direct flight from TBS. From their tanks to mine in 6 hours. A few years ago this would have cost about $300 so it’s not terrible.
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Big Smelly fish
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is.
I don’t agree with a few things . One I have my macro algae still alive and growing just fine, I removed most and place in a seahorse tank and it’s still growing, what I didn’t pull off the tangs ate .
shipping in water isn’t necessary in my opinion. Added weight your paying to ship. Most people have it shipped overnight myself included and just being wrapped in damp paper the majority survives. I had urchins, stars and all kind of life survive and do well .
Was it air freight or ground. Shipped in water or wrapped in wet paper?
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