live rock vs dry rock

[PeteTheGreek89]

Hi Everyone!

As some of you know i am starting a new 90g tank build and i was wondering what most ppl recommend between the two rocks.
all my other tanks have started with live rock but they were also a lot smaller and some LR for a 90g will deff cost a nice amount. so besides cost and cycle time what are other good points,real effective pros and cons?

Thanks!

 

[rookie07]

Dry rock:
No hitchhikers
Longer cycle
You can really take your tome when aquascaping and building custom structures.
Cheaper

Live rock:
More "life" on rocks...but that allows for hitchhikers (you will def get many hitchhikers and some may be bad)
More money
Must be kept alive (which is a pain if you plan to take your time)


Anyone else have more?

 

[thirty6]

You hit the two biggies IMO

No hitchhikers, cost less. I usually stack the rock and takes awhile till I get the way I like, so that's another plus for the dry rock

 

[PeteTheGreek89]

will dry rock have any downside in how well the tank thrives in the long run?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

no it will not.... you also should get a select piece of live rock and seed ur dry dead rock. i think all dead rock is the way to go..

 

[bud]

The dry rock will take a lot longer to be pretty, Coralline alge for some reason does not like dry rock. It takes a lot longer to be cover in pink.

 

[rebelson]

you hit the two biggies imo

no hitchhikers, cost less. I usually stack the rock and takes awhile till i get the way i like, so that's another plus for the dry rock

+1

 

[PeteTheGreek89]

any one recommend what kind and where to get some dry rock from??

 

[shroomie]

any one recommend what kind and where to get some dry rock from??

marcorocks.com is great

Bulkreefsupply.com also has dry rock at a decent price.

 

[Awibrandy]

Go with dry rock!! The biggie for me is "NO HITCHHIKERS"!

any one recommend what kind and where to get some dry rock from??

I know this great guy that can make the rocks for you at a very low cost.:lol_large

 

[Archreefer]

IMO I would stay away from Marco Rocks. I had a mix of Marco and Reef Rock in the same tank. I fought GHA on the Marco with none on the Reef Rocks. Marco is know to leach Phosphate for a lone time. Save the headache go with Reef Rocks.

 

[jgraz]

IMO I would stay away from Marco Rocks. I had a mix of Marco and Reef Rock in the same tank. I fought GHA on the Marco with none on the Reef Rocks. Marco is know to leach Phosphate for a lone time. Save the headache go with Reef Rocks.

There shouldn't be a difference. I have spoken with the owner of reef rocks. I remember him saying that he supplies Marco with rock, as well as some others. Either way, reefrocks is cheaper. And there is a sponsor here ultra corals that sells them as well. They are a hike though.
As to the comment about corraline taking time to cover, I cannot disagree more. My 90 was set up with about 120lb of dry and a couple of small pieces of live from my other tank. That was in August. I'd estimate today that it is 75% covered in corraline.

 

[Archreefer]

It's worth the ride to Ultra Corals. Steve is a great guy and just got a large shipment of Reef Rocks in, and always has a big selection of NICE corals.