Pretty Rocks

[demodiki]

Has anyone seen a LFS that has some choice LR pieces? If so, which one? I got the green light from my wife to go shopping.

Go me.

[Undead_Incorporated]

It really depends on who has what in.. I would call around and see who's currently stocked on choice pieces. Well.. actually I would probably just visit them all and use rock shopping as an excuse. :innocent

[GaryP]

Call around and see who has some Pukani or Tonga branch LR. Fin Addict, Wolf Reef, Alamo, Aquatic Whse., and CB Pets usually carry it in San Antonio. I don't know who in Austin might carry that kind of rock. I think your choices may be somewhat more limited. Make sure it is cured if you are adding it to an established tank. I'm sure some of the Austin folks might be able to give you a scouting report.

[demodiki]

I usually hit all of the Austin stores on the weekend but I haven't really seen any nice rock lately. I was thinking a trip down to San Antonio would be just the ticket. I also need to find some rock with nuisance algae on it...my lawnmower blenny is hungry and not taking prepared foods. Grrr...

[thedude]

I got 550 lbs of tonga rock in on Tuesday. It stinks and is nowhere near cycled but it's also some of the most beautiful rock I've seen in awhile.

John
Austin Aquariums

[GaryP]

One of the most beautiful rockscapes I have ever seen was in Gator's old 180. It was entirely done with tonga branch. I have a nano done like that too. It sure helps with flow and coral is easy to put into the branches.

[demodiki]

I will take a look at that tonga. I don't mind having to cure it for awhile. Can you pm me with the price?

[demodiki]

I just got back from AA and they have some fantastic looking tonga. I thought the price was a little steep for uncured rock but really...it doesn't weigh hardly anything. Once we got my initial batch on the scale I went back for more since it was so light.

Hopefully it will cure fast because the drab rock in my tank needs it badly :)

[satx-94integraLS]

if you want growth, dose SUCCESS CALK. its a powdery white substance that stimulates coraline (purple algae) growth something fierce!

[thedude]

All sucess calk is, is a calcium supplement. In my experience, keep your water quality and calcium and alkalinity spot on, and you'll grow corraline.

[satx-94integraLS]

i grew it alot faster after i started dosing. lots of people have said the same. guess it depends on the tank huh?

[Jenn]

CB pets had some nice pieces last weekend. Great prices too!

[satx-94integraLS]

yeh AA is pricey for rock, but whne i was just getting into salt, they had the BEST rock in satx. sadly, so far, ive yet to see tonga or fiji as good lookin at other fish stores. seems alamo has some secret hookup for getting the best rock?

or maybe they dont order base rock and try and pass it off as premium? ive known fish stores to do that before... pretty sad actually.

[alton]

I have always tried to get to a dealer before anyone else and pick out the best as the boxes are openned. Also it's not the price per pound you pay but how heavy the actual live rock is. If your waiting till it cures the best will be gone. I keep a 20 gal. with an eclipse hood just for curing liverock. As I do my water changes on my tank I use that water to replace the water in the 20 gal. tank with the uncured liverock.

[GaryP]

All sucess calk is, is a calcium supplement. In my experience, keep your water quality and calcium and alkalinity spot on, and you'll grow corraline.

Form what I have found out, Success Calk is a mixture of calcium chloride (same as Kent turbo calcium) and finely ground sand (aragonite). According to Red Sea it is supposed to dissolve in the tank by some voodoo chemical process, releasing calcium and alkalinity, like a calcium reactor does. I have a feeling the calcium chloride does more good then anything else. There are a couple other products out there that have sand in them like purple up abd reef reactor. I'm not saying this is not true, I just can't see it happening by any normal mechanisms. The sand is supposed be dissolved by acids produced by bacteria living on LR. Some acid may actually get to the sand, but most is quickly going to be neutralized by the buffering capacity of the water.

Like I said, its voodoo chemistry IMO.

[Polkster13]

I have 1200 pounds of Kaelini live rock that I am in the process of curing. If you are interested in purchasing some of this premium live rock, email me at Frederick_Falk@CoralReefBazaar.com and I can set up an appointment for you to come and check it out.

[demodiki]

The LR is doing good. The amonia is 0 and I now have nitrites. I think it should be ready to be placed in the main in about a week.