Anyone know where to find this kind of rock?

[reef’r]

Wanting to source some rock for my new build and looking for something different than Marco, I think finding rock like this in the hobby is almost impossible now, anyone have any ideas though?

It’s not the small porous stuff like Marco, I’ve seen some have rock like this in build threads @thatmanMIKEson 120 build comes to mind I think rock like this was more prevalent in the hobby years back.

 

[Subsea]

I use diver collected live rock from Florida

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

I spoke with Dan Sanchez, diver/owner of Gulf Live Rock. He is out of commission until insurance buys him a new boat.

 

[reef’r]

I use diver collected live rock from Florida

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

Gulf Live Rock.com

gulfliverock.com

I spoke with Dan Sanchez, diver/owner of Gulf Live Rock. He is out of commission until insurance buys him a new boat.

So no telling how long it would be. I’m not far from tbs that’s always an option… I’m not sure if they have bigger pieces though

 

[Subsea]

So no telling how long it would be. I’m not far from tbs that’s always an option… I’m not sure if they have bigger pieces though

Gulf Live Rock is in Tampa Bay also. They definitely have large pieces. Once when I was setting up a 150G system, I described what I wanted as a center piece then Dan took a picture of the rock and I approved it. This was 10 years ago when I was buying 200 pounds at a time.

 

[reef’r]

A local lfs has this in a 120g freshwater system that has since been torn down. I thinking of trying to buy it, this is what I’m looking for

 

[ChiCity]

look into pukani rock.
(if you can find it)

 

[reef’r]

look into pukani rock.
(if you can find it)

Not even looking for live rock, dry is fine tank will be completely sps so will have plenty of time to season the rock before anything goes in, except fish of course

 

[Doctorgori]

if you are looking for that old skool pacific stuff with dusters and porities: I think you are gonna need a time machine LOL…

I’ve purchased a few hundred pounds of the mariculture Florida gulf stuff by now I think

most of it seems to be ancient reef rock mined from dry land then “re-submerged” after several million years ..
it’s definitely “reef rock” just not from this epoch and “re-encrusted” after a few months submerged (or how ever long) …
I actually see fossilized sponges et, but that stuff never has any real boring worms, et like bonfires reef rock…
VERY close facsimile just be advised the recruited life is fairly recent (which is OK )

Also note some of the rock comes in different mineralization stages…some it it isn’t as porous as you might like …not as “chalky” so to speak

 

[reef’r]

if you are looking for that old skool pacific stuff with dusters and porities: I think you are gonna need a time machine LOL…

I’ve purchased a few hundred pounds of the mariculture Florida gulf stuff by now I think

most of it seems to be ancient reef rock mined from dry land then “re-submerged” after several million years ..
it’s definitely “reef rock” just not from this epoch and “re-encrusted” after a few months submerged (or how ever long) …
I actually see fossilized sponges et, but that stuff never has any real boring worms, et like bonfires reef rock…
VERY close facsimile just be advised the recruited life is fairly recent (which is OK )

Also note some of the rock comes in different mineralization stages…some it it isn’t as porous as you might like …not as “chalky” so to speak

What about using natural limestone? I live in Florida this stuff is literally everywhere. I set up my 6 foot cichlid tank with this

 

[Doctorgori]

What about using natural limestone? I live in Florida this stuff is literally everywhere.

Exactly. I’ve been to Florida a lot, and why not just drop that “Pliocene” reef back into the gulf for a few months and Voila’ …

I haven’t confirmed it, but that’s what I think that’s all the mariculture “Gulf rock” company’s do…

Will Florida law allow you do it it yourself?
If not perhaps cleans some off and re-seed it with some smaller amount of already live rock

Added: back in the day I was once into some of the Lake Victoria stuff …

 

[BetteMidler]

What about using natural limestone? I live in Florida this stuff is literally everywhere. I set up my 6 foot cichlid tank with this

I would avoid the Florida limestone. It will have a high Iron content & there is a possibility of aluminum.

 

[Doctorgori]

I would avoid the Florida limestone. It will have a high Iron content & there is a possibility of aluminum.

hmmm that’s useful info

Also something I didn’t think about is that maturing rock in the vast ocean probably mitigates and leachate from the rock…
Maybe call KP Aquatics or similar, maybe they can reveal thier rock sources…I’m pretty sure the stuff they sell originated on land

So backing off as I have no idea how to cure “mined rock” or how to test if it’s safe

 

[shcrimps]

one

hmmm that’s useful info

Also something I didn’t think about is that maturing rock in the vast ocean probably mitigates and leachate from the rock…
Maybe call KP Aquatics or similar, maybe they can reveal thier rock sources…I’m pretty sure the stuff they sell originated on land

So backing off as I have no idea how to cure “mined rock” or how to test if it’s safe

one idea i have been throwing around as of recent was just using marco or similar rock (i know) even some “artificial” pieces and seeding them in an outdoor “pond” or even a tank with real live rock (aussie rock probably) no heater just larger body of natural saltwater, sunlight, pumps for circulation & a auto top off or lid to enclose and minimize evaporation

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Exactly. I’ve been to Florida a lot, and why not just drop that “Pliocene” reef back into the gulf for a few months and Voila’ …

I haven’t confirmed it, but that’s what I think that’s all the mariculture “Gulf rock” company’s do…

Will Florida law allow you do it it yourself?
If not perhaps cleans some off and re-seed it with some smaller amount of already live rock

Added: back in the day I was once into some of the Lake Victoria stuff …

This is old but shows TBSW when they started their current lease gives all of the information about how they do it