Real Ocean Rock in Aquaculture for Over a Decade

[rja]

Hello all,
I have a rare opportunity to buy a few pounds of really old really cured live rock from someone. This rock is real ocean rock covered in organisms from the ocean harvested many years ago and has been in captivity, wet. Should I purchase and add this to my cycling tank? I understand the risks of pests but this biodiversity might be the best I can get.

Thoughts?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Sure, get it but it doesn't have the same biodiversity it had the day it was taken from the ocean by a long shot so factor that into the price. If you're system is mature I wouldn't feel it will make a difference.

 

[geologeek]

Personally I would bite their hand off to get hold of some! Can't get for love nor money where I am.

 

[LRT]

Hello all,
I have a rare opportunity to buy a few pounds of really old really cured live rock from someone. This rock is real ocean rock covered in organisms from the ocean harvested many years ago and has been in captivity, wet. Should I purchase and add this to my cycling tank? I understand the risks of pests but this biodiversity might be the best I can get.

Thoughts?

I would have cycled the tank with it...
Cured rock from a healthy thriving system carrying a bioload is just add water ready.
One thing I would strongly suggest is to make sure your prepared to test and dose not only alk,cal and mag but nitrates and phosphates as well.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I really need to start a business that just ships rocks around the world from Indonesia. If Australian live rock goes for $25/lb and people buy it I should get $30/lb for Indonesian if it actually is the bacterial diversity people want. After being in captivity the bacteria have been competing for years...it's not as if it was just pulled from the ocean.

 

[rja]

Sure, get it but it doesn't have the same biodiversity it had the day it was taken from the ocean by a long shot so factor that into the price. If you're system is mature I wouldn't feel it will make a difference.

Owner wants $12 a pound so I think I might just go for it! At the very least a few pounds for the sump.

 

[LRT]

I really need to start a business that just ships rocks around the world from Indonesia. If Australian live rock goes for $25/lb and people buy it I should get $30/lb for Indonesian if it actually is the bacterial diversity people want. After being in captivity the bacteria have been competing for years...it's not as if it was just pulled from the ocean.

I don't feel it's all about the bacteria diversity personally. My gulf rock came with fan worms, clams, amphipods, macro algae and all kinds of different critters that are still mostly abundant in my sump. In fact I originally had a bunch of barren walt smith fiji rock in with it that was almost entirely seeded with the same diversity in about a year.
I feel like the actual benefits go alot further than just bacteria biodiversity.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I don't feel it's all about the bacteria diversity personally. My gulf rock came with fan worms, clams, amphipods, macro algae and all kinds of different critters that are still mostly abundant in my sump. In fact I originally had a bunch of barren walt smith fiji rock in with it that was almost entirely seeded with the same diversity in about a year.
I feel like the actual benefits go alot further than just bacteria biodiversity.

Yes, but that was straight from the Gulf...not after a decade in captivity.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Owner wants $12 a pound so I think I might just go for it! At the very least a few pounds for the sump.

I mean go for it if you've got the money. Just understand exactly what you're buying...if you explain to the owner how competition between bacteria works you might get a better price...

 

[LRT]

Yes, but that was straight from the Gulf...not after a decade in captivity.

I'd ask the owner for pictures personally. After 10 years in captivity his sump should be a mini ocean microfauna jungle and the rocks should show that easily

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'd ask the owner for pictures personally. After 10 years in captivity his sump should be a mini ocean microfaina jungle and the rocks should show that easily

Diversity tends to flatten out over time and the organisms most fit to survive dominate...they don't want to share room...

 

[LRT]

Owner wants $12 a pound so I think I might just go for it! At the very least a few pounds for the sump.

Get some pix and post them if you can.
The rock should be healthy and teaming with life if it has been well taken care of

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

If you feel it's worth it go for it...love to see pics

 

[LRT]

If you feel it's worth it go for it...love to see pics

Agreed pictures should say everything. I'll be honest I wish I would have done a much better job with my gulf rock and lit my sump, kept params tight and didn't put it through the abuse that I have. It would be interesting to see what it would look like now. I'm seriously thinking about getting another load lol

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

If you guys want top quality stuff from Indonesia I'll send you some but if your customs rejects it I can't help that

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Or rubble...that would make it

 

[rja]

I'd ask the owner for pictures personally. After 10 years in captivity his sump should be a mini ocean microfauna jungle and the rocks should show that easily

The tank itself is a massive fiberglass coral bed. I will be physically choosing the rocks myself and able to inspect each one.

@LRT : Is there anything I should particularly look out for? Sponges, Macro algae, aiptasia, etc?

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Wow, just came from the market and the shops are stocked up with live ocean rock literally more than I've ever seen.

 

[Troylee]

Wow, just came from the market and the shops are stocked up with live ocean rock literally more than I've ever seen.

Pix or it didn’t happen

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Pix or it didn’t happen

I'm not there now! Haha...they had 100 gallon tanks full of it! It wasnt 100% covered in coralline like the shop I usually buys from but there were some nice looking pieces!