[mjsandbe]

I want to add more liverock to my 90 and 58. I managed to budget $200 to do this, including shipping. Actually it is my security deposite I am finally getting back after moving three months ago. I have been looking and asking around and these are the choices I have come up with. Of course the #'s are estimates, close I hope.

I already have fiji and tonga in the 58 and mainly fiji in the 90. I am looking not for show rock but to add diversity to my tanks and also build up the reef structure for more fitration and places to grow corals with differant light and flow needs.

Suggestion? Opinions?

• Harbor Aquatics 33lbs of their Premium Fiji Live Rock
• Jeff's Exotic Fish 50lbs(for only $185) of their Vanisi Live Rock
• Premium Aquatics 35lbs of their Premium Cured Fiji Live Rock
• Dr. Mac & Sons 40lbs(for $210) of their Kaelini Live Rock

I am not sure what to do. I have heard that Harbor Aquatics has superior life on high quality rock but it is the lowest number of pounds I can get for my money. Jeff's is a lot of rock for a great price but I have read it is dense, needs a lot of curing, and has little life. I have dealt with Premium Aquatics in the past and been happy. Dr. Mac & Sons I have hear have great rock and it is in the middle of the range for how much I get but I do not know much about Kaelini Live Rock.

Can anybody help me out here?

Before I get flamed I just want to point out everything stated here is just opinion and hearsay.

 

[Newfiemom]

In my extremely unexperted opinion, if you are looking for diversity rather than show, you would want to go with fewer pounds but more living stuff.

But that could just be me...

 

[NewReefer]

http://www.themarinecenter.com/

 

[Prismaco]

mjsandbe: email me for LR info...


-Paul

 

[Mrs Smith]

you might also check out Paragon aquatics. We had some locals order their raw, uncured rock, and they are still raving about it.

http://www.paragonsales.com/

Danielle

 

[Gorb]

i got 50lbs of Premium Fiji Live Rock
from Ebay by Walt & Smith for buy it now and i payed 139.00 and that included FREE SHIPPING !! and the rocks are awesome with lots of coraline.

 

[Junkzoo]

i vote Harbor, if not Premium..dealt in person many times with both,,,matter of fact , i'll be at Premium again today(elect. work)
Joy will hand-pick what ever kinds /shapes of rock you need,,,
as a matter of fact, the only place i've ever got LR from,,,

 

[Pirate]

Gotta go with Harbor, Joy always has the best, and it's always completely cycled. Joy won't sell it any other way.

 

[mkpaulson]

http://www.reefermadness.us/

 

[Junkzoo]

Gotta go with Harbor, Joy always has the best, and it's always completely cycled. Joy won't sell it any other way.

True Scott,,,,BTW: i was up there again,,(after threading my way thru the Kouts "town yard sale n' jaywalkin-i'm buying a old tupperware glass for 5 cents and i WILL walk in front of moving cars day") and Joy is pretty low on LR at this time,,,(waiting on shipment this weekend,no word of it yet)
in case mjsandbe was wondering,,,
Joy was getting ready for a visit from Wisc. reef club i quess today.

 

[Guest]

tbsaltester.com,
or gulfview rock, yes lots of hitchhiker incl, mantis but the rock is by fsr the best ive seen

 

[Guest]

opps tbsaltwater.com

 

[RayPollett]

Do you mean www.tampabaysaltwater.com ?

Ray

 

[Guest]

yes sir,

 

[RayPollett]

Tampa Bay saltwater is full of live. Aquacultered live rock. Very dense. Shipped saltwater ( added weight increases shipping cost, but much better for the live on the rock)

Can get unexpected inverts including corals and mantis shrimp. I highly reccomend them. Very good to deal with.

Ray

 

[scotty]

Try the recycler.com. That's where I get killer deals. But I don't know about your area if there are as many people taking apart tanks. The rocks are almost always purple with shrooms and other corals plus snails, crabs, etc. Dirt cheap. But you need to be vigilant for a week or two before you hit sometimes... Good luck.

 

[mjsandbe]

I am currently leaning towards getting dry rock from hirocks.com and spending the rest of the money on a set of critters from ipsf.com or inlandaquatics.com.

Pro:

• No Cycle
• No Die Off
• No bad critters getting into the tank
• More volume of rock for much less money

Con:

• Better Diversity than a critter kit?
• No chance to get something really unique
• Dry rock will take time to look good

Did I miss any Pros and Cons? I an already pretty happy with the diversity in my tanks and have pleny of rock for my filtration needs. I just want more to work with for building.

 

[Krux]

i just put 25 lbs of rock from hirocks in my tank yesterday, and i was able to cover it completely with my old stuff. my entire reef moved up 6 full inches! totally new looking tank, with nice tables for corals, many more caverns and caves...

if you dont mind the color (tan) and the lack of life on it, you can get a TON of rock for your money.