Tampa Bay Rock Or Not

[lsbpalmer]

Has anyone ever ordered from TBS? How does thee rock do? Does everything die off or does it do well?

[Ram_Puppy]

I haven't ordered it, nor will I order it. From researching it, this is what I know.

It is VERY dense
Usually comes with hitchikers you DONT want
Much of the life on it will die when your typical aquarium live rock goodies out compete it.

The first to alone are head shots for me. But, to each their own. IMO, Fiji rock may not have as much life on it, but the fact is so much more porus alone makes it a far better living filter.

[tony]

i went to there store a couple of months ago and was greatly impressed by the size of it but i agree with above on the live rock. for the price they charge i believe you can get much better stuff.

[Tim Marvin]

Absolute rip off. Not very good coralline coverage, lots of bla corals that do OK, but not very nice looking. VERY HEAVY, ships in water to add double shipping cost, hitchhickers, and unwanted things. Stick to Tonga, Fiji, and the other less expensive rock on the market. The LFS can sell you rock for less or the same as you'd buy Tampa rock after the high shipping.

[Shark_Bait]

I have bought Tampa bay and Gulfview Rock.. Was not impresses with Tampa Bay but have bought from Gulfview for 4 tanks now. It may not be the prettiest rock but always arrives quickly with good hitch hikers (starfish) has little die off. Mine have of lately had tons of macro attached and nice coraline color. Though does have some aptasia on it.

[TexasState]

Not.

[garagebrian]

I have bought from floridaliverock.com and have been very happy with my purchase. I got some great shapes and lots of different colored corraline and sponges. A couple of the pieces aren't the best shape and I did have a big ammonia spike from a huge dead sponge, but overall I'm very happy with the rock. I got 3 mantis(possibly 4) that came on the rock along with several gorrilla crabs and a couple other bad hitchhikers, but the good ones outweighed the bad ones and I got a little cash and several frags for trading away the mantis and crabs.

I've seen a tank with TBS rock and will be ordering some just for variety. Might get a little fiji to mix in.

B.

[Ram_Puppy]

personally, I think if your buying out of a need to conserve the reefs, then you should just make your own rock ala Sam and GARF. However, it is good to know as well that live rock is typically broken off the reefs in storms and will eventually be ground to sand in the ocean, it is to some extent a renewable resource (unlike the mines that this aqua cultured stuff is ripped out of.)

Walt smith is culturing live rock out of Fiji (using the GARF method I believe) if you want it done for you.

Overall, I simply can't see a need, much less a want or desire to buy thise dense stuff out of the gulf. Just my humble opinion, if you like it, more power to ya.