Debate: TBS vs Traditional Start Up
- Thread starter journey0820
- Start date
If Tampa Bay Live rock is too expensive, you can always do live rock on the cheap. I prowled Craigslist looking for people tearing down a tank or moving and needing to sell. Over a few weeks time I was able to get 80lbs of Fiji and a bit of Tonga LR for a total of about $100. The stuff looks great in my 46 bowfront and I have had no major problems, yet.
Okay...getting us back on track with the debate:
A couple of things I have loved about getting this product via TBS:
1. By far, the most life I've ever seen on live rock
2. Much more rapid cycle (less than 2 wks start to finish)
3. Much less intense cycle so less die off an injury to creatures
4. Quantity of life on the rocks and hitchhikers
5. EXTRAS: Richard sends "extras" that you did not have to pay for in his "package" set ups. My favorite today is the candelabra gorgonia. Yesterday my favorite was the condy anemone. Other days its the caulerpa crab. Go to my page to see a list of extas if you want. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147828&page=11
Downfalls:
1. Can get hitchhikers you don't like in addition to the ones you do. Like mantis or gorilla crabs.
2. While the expense is no greater than my LFS, it makes sense to buy this product in bulk because of how the shipping works...this means that you need to purchase a good amount at a time rather than adding a piece or two here or there...for some this creates a financial problem. I know some people by a bit at a time because of lack of bulk-fundage. My advice...save up!
3. Some of the "extras" may not be things you love or would have picked out. My solution...take 'em to the LFS and trade them for things you do want. I've only traded in one thing: a slipper lobster...and that is only because my invert book said he needed a bigger tank.
So, let's debate...what are pros and cons to you?
A couple of things I have loved about getting this product via TBS:
1. By far, the most life I've ever seen on live rock
2. Much more rapid cycle (less than 2 wks start to finish)
3. Much less intense cycle so less die off an injury to creatures
4. Quantity of life on the rocks and hitchhikers
5. EXTRAS: Richard sends "extras" that you did not have to pay for in his "package" set ups. My favorite today is the candelabra gorgonia. Yesterday my favorite was the condy anemone. Other days its the caulerpa crab. Go to my page to see a list of extas if you want. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147828&page=11
Downfalls:
1. Can get hitchhikers you don't like in addition to the ones you do. Like mantis or gorilla crabs.
2. While the expense is no greater than my LFS, it makes sense to buy this product in bulk because of how the shipping works...this means that you need to purchase a good amount at a time rather than adding a piece or two here or there...for some this creates a financial problem. I know some people by a bit at a time because of lack of bulk-fundage. My advice...save up!
3. Some of the "extras" may not be things you love or would have picked out. My solution...take 'em to the LFS and trade them for things you do want. I've only traded in one thing: a slipper lobster...and that is only because my invert book said he needed a bigger tank.
So, let's debate...what are pros and cons to you?
My major con isn't limited to TBS but to any rock packages online. I like to handpick rock in person.
Same here. I usually have a layout visualized in head or on paper. Getting a bunch of rocks with out any interesting shape would suck after paying all that shipping.
But Japan sucks for getting live rock now due to new sanctions.
Update. I started my TBS tank in late March, early April. There have been no significant losses or die off. I spoke too early when I said the cycle was done so soon though. I thought that because the ammonia and nitrites dropped so fast I was pretty much done but I'm still working on the nitrates. This does not seem to be affecting the life in the tank so I'm just putting off buying any other fish till I can get it down. I've just started to get that green growth on the tank walls - I'm assuming this is the natural process to bringing the nitrates down so I'm rolling with it.
The life in the tank is really amazing. I just discovered a pistol shrimp I didn't know about. The creatures that are supposed to be impossible to keep seem to be doing well so far. The tree sponges are healthy and eating. The anemones are doing great. The gorgonia and it's beautiful basket star hitchhiker is great. I've got pods and a crazy assortment of things I can't identify yet.
So far, so good.
The life in the tank is really amazing. I just discovered a pistol shrimp I didn't know about. The creatures that are supposed to be impossible to keep seem to be doing well so far. The tree sponges are healthy and eating. The anemones are doing great. The gorgonia and it's beautiful basket star hitchhiker is great. I've got pods and a crazy assortment of things I can't identify yet.
So far, so good.
Hi,
I saw someone else on this forum got LR from TBSW. Here is a link to that thread...may have to scroll down a bit:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138622&page=3
I saw someone else on this forum got LR from TBSW. Here is a link to that thread...may have to scroll down a bit:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138622&page=3
