With The Great Barrie Reef Bleaching, Where Are Company's Getting Live Rock ?

[427HISS]

I see several company's that are selling live reef rock from the Great Barrier Reef, which is almost dead from bleaching, so how much rock is left ?

 

[ScubaShane]

It's best to buy dry rock and cure it. Use Reefbright Live Rock Enhance. That way you know for sure you don't introduce harmful pests to your tank. It's 2.99/lb at BRS. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-reef-saver-dry-aquarium-live-rock.html

 

[doubleshot00]

 

[TurboTang]

I see several company's that are selling live reef rock from the Great Barrier Reef, which is almost dead from bleaching, so how much is left ?

Why do you think the GBR is dead - or almost dead?

 

[Derrick0580]

They aren’t harvesting rock off the reef for the most part. Some companies are making it themselves and then taking it out to cure near the reef and harvesting in a year or so. Most everyone I know uses dry rock!

 

[WheatToast]

I have heard the Unique Corals was importing their rock from Carins which is located in the Great Barrier Reef according to Wikipedia. This is real live rock, not maricultured.
I don’t know much about the specifics about the Great Barrier Reef’s bleaching and the impacts of increased temperature on live rock hitchhikers, but I would assume increased coral mortality to bleaching would result in more rock .

 

[427HISS]

Why do you think the GBR is dead - or almost dead?

A LOT of corals have bleached along with corals and rock.

 

[427HISS]

Why do you think the GBR is dead - or almost dead?

Have you not heard or read this and more ?

"Devastating’: 91% of reefs surveyed on Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching in 2022''.

91% of reefs surveyed along Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching, report finds

Researchers say climate change is "the greatest threat to the Reef."

www.cbsnews.com

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Have you not heard or read this and more ?

"Devastating’: 91% of reefs surveyed on Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching in 2022''.

91% of reefs surveyed along Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching, report finds

Researchers say climate change is "the greatest threat to the Reef."

www.cbsnews.com

I have no idea how Australia regulates live rock collection, but bottom line, if it's not illegal, people will do it. And while a lot of the GBR might be "affected", that doesn't mean "dead", and even 9% of the GBR is quite a large amount.

 

[jabberwock]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I have heard the Unique Corals was importing their rock from Carins which is located in the Great Barrier Reef according to Wikipedia. This is real live rock, not maricultured.
I don’t know much about the specifics about the Great Barrier Reef’s bleaching and the impacts of increased temperature on live rock hitchhikers, but I would assume increased coral mortality to bleaching would result in more rock .

THIS IS A VERY GOOD POINT... "Live rock" isn't the same as "live coral". Meaning, "live rock" is dead coral (or limestone, etc when maricultured) that other life - bacterial and otherwise - has colonized, as opposed to being a live piece of any particular coral.

 

[TurboTang]

Thanks for linking the CBS article - I see similar articles about the declining conditions on the GBR very very often and of course it is concerning. And I wonder why we see Australian corals/rock/livestock for sale at all based on these reports? I've traveled to Australia and was amazed how strick the country was regarding import/export of food/seeds/animals. Surely if it was true the GBR was in such dire straits as this article portrays something would change. Or perhaps the majority of the articles are a little overstated? Have you researched any deeper than mainstream news articles?

 

[bnord]

I have heard the Unique Corals was importing their rock from Carins which is located in the Great Barrier Reef according to Wikipedia. This is real live rock, not maricultured.
I don’t know much about the specifics about the Great Barrier Reef’s bleaching and the impacts of increased temperature on live rock hitchhikers, but I would assume increased coral mortality to bleaching would result in more rock .

I am going to be in Carins next week for 2 days of diving, and one day in the bush, and will tell you if the reef is dead. (smile)
and indeed the sites for harvested "mariculture rock" are not on the reef, and the factors that are bleaching corals in places are not directly affecting the quality of reef priming live rock

 

[OldRed1]

It's best to buy dry rock and cure it. Use Reefbright Live Rock Enhance. That way you know for sure you don't introduce harmful pests to your tank. It's 2.99/lb at BRS. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-reef-saver-dry-aquarium-live-rock.html

This is not the “best” strategy.

 

[Ironwill723]

This is not the “best” strategy.

+1 I don’t get the whole dry rock craze at all. If I wanted sterile I’d fill the tank with bleach.

 

[ScubaShane]

+1 I don’t get the whole dry rock craze at all. If I wanted sterile I’d fill the tank with bleach.

Because live rock has hitch hikers like Majano Anemones, Aiptasia Anemones, Mantis shrimp, pistol shrimp. Coral eating Nudibranchs, sea spiders, Asterina starfish, unwanted algae and more. My tank has been pest free since day one. Dry rock is cheaper too. You could go with Real Reef Solutions rock, it's just expensive. https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/r...K0MkWCiSV0dNO1lOdLNGI3YTdXSfw9JQaAs8BEALw_wcB

 

[Waters]

Lets not get into the whole dry vs live rock fight again lol. They both work.....they both take different approaches to be successful

 

[GlassMunky]

A LOT of corals have bleached along with corals and rock.

Rock can’t bleach
You clearly have seen a couple news headlines and run with it without actually looking into anything further.

here’s another news article also from this year saying the GBR has the highest coral coverage in 30 years.
But it’s almost dead right?

Parts of Great Barrier Reef show highest coral cover seen in 36 years

Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered from widespread and severe bleaching because of rising ocean temperatures.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The question doesnt really make sense. Corals can bleach or die, but has nothing to do with rock, the rock doesnt die, its still full of bacteria and micro organisms. "How much rock is left?", its the same amount of rock as always.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Because live rock has hitch hikers like Majano Anemones, Aiptasia Anemones, Mantis shrimp, pistol shrimp. Coral eating Nudibranchs, sea spiders, Asterina starfish, unwanted algae and more. My tank has been pest free since day one. Dry rock is cheaper too. You could go with Real Reef Solutions rock, it's just expensive. https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/r...K0MkWCiSV0dNO1lOdLNGI3YTdXSfw9JQaAs8BEALw_wcB

Don’t threaten me with a good time