Difference Between Live Rocks

[Joeyt66]

Well doing some research i have come accross different kinds of live rock. I just wanted to know is one better then the other or is it just preference to the way it looks.ie....Melanesian Live Rock ,Fiji live Rock, Caribbean Live Rock. I know it comes from different places but is there a difference? What is the most common of live rocks?

 

[steelhealr]

Honestly....there is little difference except for, perhaps, types of hitchhikers you might find on the LR. The only mention is Tonga branched. This, IMO, should only be used sparsely for decoration and not as the bulk of your setup. It is thin, branched and sometimes not to porous. The other is Atlantci base rock, which, is just that...dense, thick LR good for using on the bottom of the aquascape..it's cheaper.

Kaelini, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji, etc, should really do fine. The key is, if you buy it at the lfs, to check it out for shape, porosity, coloration and, of course, how long present there and not covered in algae. SH

 

[Navarre]

Fiji rock tends to be large lumps that are great for base rocks and buildding the foundations of a reef. TOnga Branching is simply just that. long branching rocks and this is great for the finishing touches. Yuo can get plating rock too and this is great for making shelves and platues. The best overall rock is Fiji as it carries the most volume and thus the largest bacteria capacity. But its all down to personal choice tobe honest so choose what you prefer and what is the best deal.

 

[bunjiweb]

Carribean rock tends to be branching corals on a volcanic base, which is also very porous rock where critters can inhabit. Fiji as already said tends to be the best overall, being very porous and great for critters.
Other types of rock tend to be similar to Fiji except less porous or slightly different coloured. Just go for whatever appears to have the most coraline (purple) algaes on it and has visible critters i.e; worms, corals, sponges.

Ben

 

[Aquascaper]

Ask to pick it up out the holding tank and the following should happen:

• Your hands and arm should get wet
• It should take a significant amount of time for the water to drain
• Lots of tiny crawly things should scuttle away into holes
• It should smell like the sea, if it smells like a fart it's crap rock!

If your rock passes these simple tests then it'll do