Is Tonga Branch Rock good?

[SpockthePuffer]

I found someone in my area selling cured tonga branch rock for 4$ a pound. Is this a good deal? The other LR and BR I have in my tank are actual rocks, I think that the LR was from figi or something. Would adding tonga branch be okay? Does that have as much "liveness" as the other rock?

 

[sharkmatt]

I really like the look of Tonga branch rock. I don't think it's as bio-diverse as other live rock as it's not as porous and doesn't have as many places to hide. I think it's worth having more for the aquascaping potential than anything else. $4 (£2) a pound seems like a decent price although I'm in the UK so don't know what general prices are like over there. We get ripped off half the time

 

[st0l1]

Tonga is a toss up in my book. Because some of the pieces are really cool arches and cave structure while some of the pieces are just branchy finger type structures. I'm not a big fan of the finger, branch looking LR. Generally speaking Tonga is more expensive than Fiji. Not sure why, I guess it could be because it's "Deep Water" LR and harder to collect? :huh:

 

[Almondsaz]

Personally, I use only small amounts of Tonga in my tank if I find a great piece that stands out on its own. I don't personally like the look of a lot of it in a tank. IMO But $4/lb is a great price compared to what I paid around here in AZ.

 

[SpockthePuffer]

Thanks for the replies, I will have to think about purchasing it...

 

[Jesshika]

I have a few pieces in my tank and so far they have most of the good coraline growth on them. They can be very good for aquascaping and making cool arches/caves. 4$ a pound is good, I paid 6$ for mine =/

 

[clown-lover]

Like others I like the look but for overall tank effectiveness I prefer either Marshall Island or Fiji

 

[mcsassy]

i use a piece of tonga branch as a bridge in my set up. here is a look for an idea.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/mcsassy/aquarium021.jpg

 

[SpockthePuffer]

Its funny that you posted that picture because I saw that picture on some other thread the other night and my boyfriend was like "WOW, how did they do that?" And now I have an answer! I really like that set up

 

[mcsassy]

thank you! i picked out the pieces in the store and set it up in the store before i purchased them and took them home...you should either visualize what you want or go to the store and ask to see some pieces you like and tell them to set out some pieces of styrofoam for you so you can set up some rocks on them before you take it home.