Dead Rock to live rock?

[snobanker]

Didn't think I would start a mini war with that question Anyway thanks for all the feedback guys. Oh and Mike thank you for the zoo rocks. I haven't been able to pry my wife away from the tank since they went in :eek2: . Oh and I think I got two of your little astrea snails , and a whole bunch of little star fish. Thanks again

 

[wrightme43]

I think colonized rock is almost as good a fresh live rock. I am just not paitent enough for it. I have noticed when I saw (with a bow saw) thru new live rock there are lots of holes drilled by critters and sometimes I find the critter inside, still alive and going about its business. I wonder how long it takes dry rock to get that alive. If you have lots of pods and a good growth of coriline you have done very well. Steve

 

[Craig Manoukian]

Let's all be nice as we play in the sandbox, eh kids?

 

[Ritsuko Nashida]

It didnt really bother me any but I can see how easy it would be for some to get a little defensive about it. I just kinda read between the lines on it.

Thats a good point wrightme43. I have noticed the same thing when taking a hammer to large pieces. Like you, I wonder just how long it takes for this to occur? It is kinda interesting.

I just figure by the time its half covered in coralline algae, got dusters and what not growing on it that it qualifies as "live rock". I find this takes several months not several days. I guess it kinda depends upon what your definition of live rock is....

 

[Angelscrx]

I would say 6 months to a year but I have heard of places not selling thier rock for as long as four years.

 

[Craig Manoukian]

Two to four years is what the big aquaculturing companies in Florida do. They lease large areas where they dump base rock to create a reef. Over time it is colonized by corals, inverts, fish, and algeas. They have several different man made reefs that are made at different times. They harvest the rock and remake the false reef and that is their harvest plan much like what the Forestry industry does. That's where we get most of the Gulf/Caribbean LR as it is illegal to harvest natural reefs in Florida.

 

[Angelscrx]

Good business in Florida I would say!

 

[Beeba]

When I was in Cancun in June I found two peices of live rock that were in the sand on the beach in front of our resort. I put them in wet newspaper and a plastic bag. I left the bag open and kept adding a about 1/2 cup of ocean water every day. I dumped the water out and kept it wrapped in wet newspaper and closed up the bag the morning we left Cancun. Once I got home I placed it in a curing tank in my basement for about two weeks just to make sure I didn't have any spikes. Now it is in my aquarium and is starting to look like the rest of the rock. It was originally more white than what I have in my tank but then again all the sand and rock on the beach is white. It is a cool souvenier from my first trip to Cancun.

 

[RockyHeap]

Wow, didn't think my response was really that harsh.

Just like many things about this hobby, everyone has different thoughts, opinions and processes they follow........

Happy Bubbles.

 

[mojoreef]

Rocky as long as the rock has colonized bacteria on it and in it, it is LIVE. Using LR for filtration, all you want is Bacteria as that is the ONLY thing that will filter for ya. Alot of folks me included dont like a ton of macro on it, or dieing sponges and so on. So its a personal thing. But as for filtration, thats all you need, corraline will grow.
Now what you pay for it is a whole nuther thing.

Mike

 

[wrightme43]

All the market will bear. Thats my motto. ha ha

 

[ahenson]

I agree dead base rock will colonize bacteria and look good after a while. My concern would be if you use too small percentage of live rock you won't get the diversity of critters, sponges, worms etc. If I was doing large tank I'd use a mix too.

 

[big t]

I just wanted to chime in here and say 'Mike you really are a all around good guy' If it weren't for good people like you, I don't think I would have ever gotten into this hobby!

 

[NaH2O]

ahenson - Welcome to Reef Frontiers!

 

[Angelscrx]

ahenson welcome to our home.