Reef insurance policy

[Mschmidt]

We all do things to protect our investment. And many of us do more than one. Pressed to choose, what would be the single best form of "insurance" to ensure success?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

The last two tanks I used Gulf rock, it literally was like simply hitting fast forward. I even ordered nano size rock for a geo reactor to also add biodiversity to another tank when I had some tank issues, again, worked like a charm. I’ll never do this any other way. For my recent build, in addition to wet live rock from the ladies @LiverockRocks I also used their sand, man, this has been a great ride. I can’t thank them enough for what they provide. I can’t recommend them enough. They rock! You can see my stuff here:
https://www.instagram.com/thedryreef/profilecard/?igsh=MW1wZmxkOWptdWVhcw==

 

[Mschmidt]

The last two tanks I used Gulf rock, it literally was like simply hitting fast forward. I even ordered nano size rock for a geo reactor to also add biodiversity to another tank when I had some tank issues, again, worked like a charm. I’ll never do this any other way. For my recent build, in addition to wet live rock from the ladies @LiverockRocks I also used their sand, man, this has been a great ride. I can’t thank them enough for what they provide. I can’t recommend them enough. They rock! You can see my stuff here:
https://www.instagram.com/thedryreef/profilecard/?igsh=MW1wZmxkOWptdWVhcw==

@LiverockRocks is legit! I should pick up some sand for the new tank.

Current build has live rock from 3 different builds, but no gulf lr yet. Perhaps next financial windfall.

 

[Miami Reef]

This is a very interesting topic. I wasn’t able to pick one option.

I feel like ICP is a good diagnostic for when there are unexplainable coral issues. It can help rule out a lot of things.

Activated carbon and skimmers are great toxin and organic removers.

This might sound crazy, but I’m going to put live rock low on the list of insurance for me. Pretty much all you’ll need for corals (diversity-wise) will hitchhike on shells and coral skeletons. That’s my opinion.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Liverock from the ocean hands down. I've never seen so much life and just overall stability from a new build. This was an experimental test as I only got 5lbs for a 5G deskmate. I'll never go back to dry rock now. My IM 25G will use marcos liverock next.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

The last two tanks I used Gulf rock, it literally was like simply hitting fast forward. I even ordered nano size rock for a geo reactor to also add biodiversity to another tank when I had some tank issues, again, worked like a charm. I’ll never do this any other way. For my recent build, in addition to wet live rock from the ladies @LiverockRocks I also used their sand, man, this has been a great ride. I can’t thank them enough for what they provide. I can’t recommend them enough. They rock! You can see my stuff here:
https://www.instagram.com/thedryreef/profilecard/?igsh=MW1wZmxkOWptdWVhcw==

I’ve stated this numerous times on this forum that in the old days of Fiji live rock, I would add it to the tank straight out of the box. No rinsing, no curing. A lot of stuff survived, the tanks had good biodiversity, and never had problems like dino blooms.

Using Gulf Live Rock and other maricultured rock has been a God-send since Fiji collection ended. I will never set up another tank without some maricultured rock (I also just dump the water that it comes in into the tank as well).

 

[JoJosReef]

I still see the effects of my TBS live rock even after transferring to a new tank. Single best thing I've done for my tanks, even after enduring my wife's "you bought a plane ticket for ROCKS!?!?!?"

 

[KrisReef]

I still see the effects of my TBS live rock even after transferring to a new tank. Single best thing I've done for my tanks, even after enduring my wife's "you bought a plane ticket for ROCKS!?!?!?"

Scarface? :face-with-hand-over-mouth:

 

[Mschmidt]

I still see the effects of my TBS live rock even after transferring to a new tank. Single best thing I've done for my tanks, even after enduring my wife's "you bought a plane ticket for ROCKS!?!?!?"

Well thay ship ups now too. KP as well.

 

[PharmrJohn]

My choice was not there. Of those choices given, Ocean Cured LR gets my vote. What I would consider great insurance is redundancy. When my tank goes up it'll be redundant in two areas: Heat and Return. I'll run two heaters each with its own controller and two S. Syncra SDC 9.0's for returns. Not sure if I can add an extra layer with, say, a Neptune, but as this is going to be something I get down the road a piece, I'll see if I can work in. Never have done this level of automation. Should prove interesting.........

 

[RockRash]

I chose testing and water changes. I'm coming back to hobby after a 10 year break. Right now testing and water changes are my go too. I did place a order for a TBS treasure chest to help with diversity but for now definitely testing and water changes.

 

[Reefer Matt]

While live rock is good for a quick cycle and some biodiversity, that alone doesn’t garner the greatest chance for success imo. Reefing is multi faceted, and requires a recipe for success, not just a single ingredient.
However, just to play along, I’ll pick water changes. If those are done at a regular frequency, a beginner Reefer with a new tank has a better chance of success. They get more opportunities to notice tank deficiencies while doing them, and the refreshing of the water helps keep chemistry in check.
The single best ingredient will likely change as the tank grows out, and an advanced Reefer may start to value things like testing over the routine labor of water changes. After all, water is heavy, and many of us aren’t in our physical prime anymore! Lol!

 

[Lasse]

Internet and reefing forums have - IMO - been the most important factor for the reef hobby development the last 10 - 20 years. Today - with help of a little own thinking - Anyone can start a decent reef aquarium. 20 years ago - it was rather impossible to do that if you did not had a ton of experiences. If you are able to sort out real knowledge from trash - nearly all knowledge you need is out in there. Its also possible to reach out very fast with problems and get fast help in order to solve them. But handle the information on Internet - that´s exactly the same as handle the information society in real life - you - by yourself must use common sense to distinguish reality from the false and fabricated reality that pours over us

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Osprey223]

Maricultured live rock all the way! I have had some in a tank for over six months and last week I found a new organism. I am constantly finding new critters and have lost track of how many species of organisms I have found so far. Also I have not had a single issue with that tank what so ever! I also do no testing and water change maaaaybe once in a blue moon for all of my tanks. I use no controllers either. This forum has certainly been a massive help throughout the years as well!

 

[Mschmidt]

My choice was not there. Of those choices given, Ocean Cured LR gets my vote. What I would consider great insurance is redundancy. When my tank goes up it'll be redundant in two areas: Heat and Return. I'll run two heaters each with its own controller and two S. Syncra SDC 9.0's for returns. Not sure if I can add an extra layer with, say, a Neptune, but as this is going to be something I get down the road a piece, I'll see if I can work in. Never have done this level of automation. Should prove interesting.........

This is a good point. Since we're talking insurance in case of an emergency, redundancy is a solid choice. Battery backups, secondary heaters and pumps will all help ensure a tank can at least limp along. Maricultured rock wont guarantee that.

Internet and reefing forums have - IMO - been the most important factor for the reef hobby development the last 10 - 20 years. Today - with help of a little own thinking - Anyone can start a decent reef aquarium. 20 years ago - it was rather impossible to do that if you did not had a ton of experiences. If you are able to sort out real knowledge from trash - nearly all knowledge you need is out in there. Its also possible to reach out very fast with problems and get fast help in order to solve them. But handle the information on Internet - that´s exactly the same as handle the information society in real life - you - by yourself must use common sense to distinguish reality from the false and fabricated reality that pours over us

Sincerely Lasse

Another good argument. Access to information is gold. The trouble with open source is the same as AI though; garbage in, garbage out.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

This was a tough choice. While as many have stated, ocean live rock was my gut instinct also. But thinking back on my Frankencube, that was all dry rock. While I love ocean rock, I needed to glue together my aquascape. Using ocean live rock can speed up the process of a new tank, but it can't solve bad husbandry.
I think the most important thing is water changes. You can get through just about anything with water changes.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

My choice was not there. Of those choices given, Ocean Cured LR gets my vote. What I would consider great insurance is redundancy. When my tank goes up it'll be redundant in two areas: Heat and Return. I'll run two heaters each with its own controller and two S. Syncra SDC 9.0's for returns. Not sure if I can add an extra layer with, say, a Neptune, but as this is going to be something I get down the road a piece, I'll see if I can work in. Never have done this level of automation. Should prove interesting.........

Ocean harvested live rock combined with dedication to your tank whether it is a Jar size or Monster sized system. Learning, maintaining and investing time.
*equipment redundancy falls under learning

The last two tanks I used Gulf rock, it literally was like simply hitting fast forward. I even ordered nano size rock for a geo reactor to also add biodiversity to another tank when I had some tank issues, again, worked like a charm. I’ll never do this any other way. For my recent build, in addition to wet live rock from the ladies @LiverockRocks I also used their sand, man, this has been a great ride. I can’t thank them enough for what they provide. I can’t recommend them enough. They rock! You can see my stuff here:
https://www.instagram.com/thedryreef/profilecard/?igsh=MW1wZmxkOWptdWVhcw==

Appreciated working with you @WhatCouldGoWrong71.

@LiverockRocks is legit! I should pick up some sand for the new tank.

Current build has live rock from 3 different builds, but no gulf lr yet. Perhaps next financial windfall.

Air cargo is very economical, dm to chat.

 

[BryanM]

I'd add this site to the list.

I chose live rock, but realistically diligence is needed.

 

[Mschmidt]

Ocean harvested live rock combined with dedication to your tank whether it is a Jar size or Monster sized system. Learning, maintaining and investing time.
*equipment redundancy falls under learning

Appreciated working with you @WhatCouldGoWrong71.

Air cargo is very economical, dm to chat.

I was real happy with the last order. I've got your email too!