I've seen many posts on this forum reguarding the purchase of live rock. Some of these posts say something like, "Yeah I got a really good piece of Live rock." My question is, What is a good piece of live rock? Add are there bad pieces out there? Does this refer to the shape, the amount of growth on them, or what exactly is growing on them? How can I tell the difference between normal or a really good piece of live rock?
Good Live Rock
- Thread starter magicboy6264
- Start date
Acording to the staff at tropicorum, in uncured rock, you want to look for a piece with lots of green stuff and other signs of life on it, wich I believe you should also look for in cured rock (wich really isn't cured in my honest opinion, becuase of how it's shipped), but won't be as apparent in my expierience. Another thing to look for in a piece of live rock is that it's porous, this way it can suport more bacteria and provide a good in tank refugium for your pods. One thing to watch out for is aiptasia anemone, wich ARE a pest.
As for size and shape, I think it's best to look for variety in your rocks, as well as looking for rocks that you have a place for in your aquascape, so you don't have to redo the tank for one rock. When purchasing more than one rock, a good "variety" of rocks to get would be 6 bolders and 2 pieces of large flat rocks, this way you can have a sturdy, 2 tier cave system without a hassle.
As for size and shape, I think it's best to look for variety in your rocks, as well as looking for rocks that you have a place for in your aquascape, so you don't have to redo the tank for one rock. When purchasing more than one rock, a good "variety" of rocks to get would be 6 bolders and 2 pieces of large flat rocks, this way you can have a sturdy, 2 tier cave system without a hassle.
Other then the need to be porous, Good live rock is totaly what you want it to be.
Some people like the really lively rock other's prefer rock with just a good coraline base.
I've got some Tonga branch in my tank. Pretty much no hitchikers or coraline on it,
But it's got really cool shapes. So while I consider it good live rock others may not.
I also have some Figi it had good coraline and some hitchhikers, But it was like a baskat ball when it came to shape. So while not my favorite piece of rock it was only $4.50 a pound, So it made a good rock for a base.
Some people like the really lively rock other's prefer rock with just a good coraline base.
I've got some Tonga branch in my tank. Pretty much no hitchikers or coraline on it,
But it's got really cool shapes. So while I consider it good live rock others may not.
I also have some Figi it had good coraline and some hitchhikers, But it was like a baskat ball when it came to shape. So while not my favorite piece of rock it was only $4.50 a pound, So it made a good rock for a base.