Now that I live 2.5 hrs from the Florida Keys, I was able to stop by KP Aquatics and pick up some rock. Philipp was nice enough to let my time my visit after an afternoon dive boat trip. This was the third time I've purchased KP rock and it has always been nice.
Personally, I like to mix KP rock with Gulf rock. Each has its pros and cons in my opinion, but I like the idea of getting a greater diversity (especially bacteria) from the Atlantic and Gulf rock. The structure of the KP rock definitely has a nicer appearance with tunnels and crevices; the Gulf rock has more critters attached (rose corals, gorgonians, macroalgae, clams, tube worms, squirts, etc.) But, for me, I want bacteria from the Atlantic. (I really wish I could get it from the Pacific, like in the old days, but this is next best).
Each has their pests, but you just have to deal with them. (I highly recommend NOT going with Dry Rock just to avoid pests (or cost).
Gulf pests: aiptasia galore! KP pests: Fire worms are the main ones, IME. But now that I have discovered that Ivermectin works pretty well to paralyze, or kill, the Fire Worms, I am not so worried about them anymore. In the past, Fire worms wiped out over 30 SPS frags before I figured out what was killing them! I will definitely always treat KP rock with ivermectin. (2cc of 1% IVOMEC per 30 gal seems to paralyze them so they drop out of the rock. A repeat dose 24 hrs later with 1-2 cc may be better but may also affect spaghetti worms and feather dusters. There were 3 of each in my rock that became paralyzed after the first dose of 2cc. Not sure if they will die since I just dosed the tank yesterday and am undecided if will add more today. Mantis shrimp and large crabs are rare, according to Philipp. (I did pick off about 4 tiny crabs; I'm sure there are more, and little crabs can become big crabs, of course!)
Here is a picture of Philipp. He is the handsome one on the left. By default, I guess that makes me the handsome one on the right?
It appears that I am exceptionally happy about getting the rock, but actually, somebody just said something really funny when the photo was taken! But, I am very pleased with the rock!
BTW, Philipp has tons of local fish and inverts! I'm sure I will be back to get some!
Here are photos of the 50 lbs of rock I got. (In a 30 gal Q-tank). 25 lbs will completely fill a standard 5 gal bucket, maybe with a little sticking out the top).
Top view
Top view; close
Feather duster
Fire worm that fell out of rock 2 hrs after ivermectin added. This may be just a piece of one since they are usually longer when they are this "thick." (I've had some 8 or 9" long in previous batches). Actually, it was a little difficult to determine if this is truly a Fire Worm or just a bristle worm, but I'm pretty sure it is the Fire Worm. (I disposed of it away too quickly; I should have kept it in a container of water to see if it would die by the next day to help determine if more ivermectin is needed. Next time.)
I'll just add two more photos from my dive trip. It probably isn't necessary to remind my fellow aquarists about Global Warming and Coral Bleaching, but this dive really hit me in a hard and sad way. The last time I scuba dived in the Keys was 44 years ago. One of the few good things about being "old" is that I was around to dive before Global Warming. Comparing my dive yesterday to the ones from 44 years ago is shocking. There were a lot of young divers with huge smiles on their faces when they got back on the boat. But I felt "sick-to-my-stomach" after seeing what has happened to our reefs. Although disturbing, we need to keep spreading stories like mine.
There were very few patches of stony corals. Here are 2 examples of the bleaching.
And, just to be not too depressing, I'll end on a happier note with this one.......
Personally, I like to mix KP rock with Gulf rock. Each has its pros and cons in my opinion, but I like the idea of getting a greater diversity (especially bacteria) from the Atlantic and Gulf rock. The structure of the KP rock definitely has a nicer appearance with tunnels and crevices; the Gulf rock has more critters attached (rose corals, gorgonians, macroalgae, clams, tube worms, squirts, etc.) But, for me, I want bacteria from the Atlantic. (I really wish I could get it from the Pacific, like in the old days, but this is next best).
Each has their pests, but you just have to deal with them. (I highly recommend NOT going with Dry Rock just to avoid pests (or cost).
Gulf pests: aiptasia galore! KP pests: Fire worms are the main ones, IME. But now that I have discovered that Ivermectin works pretty well to paralyze, or kill, the Fire Worms, I am not so worried about them anymore. In the past, Fire worms wiped out over 30 SPS frags before I figured out what was killing them! I will definitely always treat KP rock with ivermectin. (2cc of 1% IVOMEC per 30 gal seems to paralyze them so they drop out of the rock. A repeat dose 24 hrs later with 1-2 cc may be better but may also affect spaghetti worms and feather dusters. There were 3 of each in my rock that became paralyzed after the first dose of 2cc. Not sure if they will die since I just dosed the tank yesterday and am undecided if will add more today. Mantis shrimp and large crabs are rare, according to Philipp. (I did pick off about 4 tiny crabs; I'm sure there are more, and little crabs can become big crabs, of course!)
Here is a picture of Philipp. He is the handsome one on the left. By default, I guess that makes me the handsome one on the right?
It appears that I am exceptionally happy about getting the rock, but actually, somebody just said something really funny when the photo was taken! But, I am very pleased with the rock!BTW, Philipp has tons of local fish and inverts! I'm sure I will be back to get some!
Here are photos of the 50 lbs of rock I got. (In a 30 gal Q-tank). 25 lbs will completely fill a standard 5 gal bucket, maybe with a little sticking out the top).
Top view
Top view; close
Feather duster
Fire worm that fell out of rock 2 hrs after ivermectin added. This may be just a piece of one since they are usually longer when they are this "thick." (I've had some 8 or 9" long in previous batches). Actually, it was a little difficult to determine if this is truly a Fire Worm or just a bristle worm, but I'm pretty sure it is the Fire Worm. (I disposed of it away too quickly; I should have kept it in a container of water to see if it would die by the next day to help determine if more ivermectin is needed. Next time.)
I'll just add two more photos from my dive trip. It probably isn't necessary to remind my fellow aquarists about Global Warming and Coral Bleaching, but this dive really hit me in a hard and sad way. The last time I scuba dived in the Keys was 44 years ago. One of the few good things about being "old" is that I was around to dive before Global Warming. Comparing my dive yesterday to the ones from 44 years ago is shocking. There were a lot of young divers with huge smiles on their faces when they got back on the boat. But I felt "sick-to-my-stomach" after seeing what has happened to our reefs. Although disturbing, we need to keep spreading stories like mine.
There were very few patches of stony corals. Here are 2 examples of the bleaching.
And, just to be not too depressing, I'll end on a happier note with this one.......
