Offbeat rock: What is your opinion of non-traditional reef rocks?

[Peace River]

Offbeat rock: – What is your opinion of non-traditional reef rocks?

Most of us have an idea about what reef rock should look like and there is an idea that even artificial reef rock should look like the real thing. But occasionally, we see reef rock that appears to be cut flat or otherwise pre-shaped. For some some reefers this an opportunity to mix up the aquascaping and for others this just doesn’t seem right. Many times, the rocks will soon be covered with coral or other livestock so does it really matter as long as it is functionally sound? What is your opinion of non-traditional reef rocks? Do you care? Are you not a fan? Tell us how you feel about what reef rocks should look like in the following discussion.

Photo by @donomite

 

[Petcrazyson]

Not a big fan of these. I enjoy the real rock style look and of course the jump start it gives me. Although I do like some of the aquascape styles some people do, and have used these for my Refugium. Don’t think I’ll come around to using them though, at least not in the DT.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I prefer natural rocks with pores as they are convenient for attaching plugs into the holes.

 

[AcroNem]

I also prefer more natural looking rock. I also prefer actual live rock but that's a different discussion.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I prefer natural rock as well, but there is something special about a uniquely designed aquascape

 

[Alfie]

I dont even like it when people put decorations in like skulls and ships... but hey you pay for it, you look at it

 

[MoshJosh]

Caribsea Life Rock when possible (and when I can afford the extra cost). Especially fond of the "branch" style. I do like having the flat bottom for the rocks on the glass.

Also have used the "flats" like in the picture, in fact my 20L is exclusively this style of rock.

 

[MoshJosh]

I dont even like it when people put decorations in like skulls and ships... but hey you pay for it, you look at it

Yeah I am not a fan of this either. . . though I have seem some cool stuff like an coral encrusted skull and a "sunken air plane" surrounded by corals. . . these weren't too bad.

 

[Alfie]

Yeah I am not a fan of this either. . . though I have seem some cool stuff like an coral encrusted skull and a "sunken air plane" surrounded by corals. . . these weren't too bad.

Its one of those things, i dont mind seeing them in someone elses tank but not my own

 

[FLSharkvictim]

I am going for the minimalist look for my up and coming SCA150 Rimless BUILD this time around.
I added my center custom pcs from a company called [HASH=75799]#AQUAROCKS[/HASH] and the two end pcs that i got from [HASH=75801]#VIDAROCKS[/HASH].

Also, will be adding some of my old school Marshall Island live rock / & Tonga Branches that i HAVE left over from a very old build..

 

[o2manyfish]

I think there is a place for everything. The flat rocks as in the picture I think are nice for mounting on blank back walls to give some depth and texture to them, and make them a place that don't need to be kept clean to look good. They also are nice for mounting on the bottom of the tank to build a more standard aquascape on top of.

From my experience of aquascaping several big tanks - 400, 450, 750, 900 we used to get slab rock from Tonga. These were coral based rocks that were like the size of XL, XXL, and XXXL Pizzas. Now while these aren't the traditional 'shape' of reef rock (to most people). These were fantastic pieces of rock for aquascaping large tanks that could accommodate them, because they gave you great big flat shelves for mounting corals on.

I think the bigger issue, that most people are not aware of, is where does the rock originate from.

10+ years ago from a South Pacific Island containers of what looked like reef rock was shipped into the states. It was actual coral based rock, that had been harvested from the sea decades earlier, and then used as the base for a highway. When the highway was dug up, someone got smart and bought the rock and shipped it to us hobbyists. Most of the rock was fine, but some was loaded with nasties it had collected being just underneath bad asphalt for decades. Or covered in oils and residue from the equipment that collected the rock from the highway.

One of the current rocks on the market is harvested from underneath mangrove forests. Mangroves grew on top of the base rock, and then spent eons collecting crap that sat on the rock for eons and was slowly absorbed in. Some of these rocks need a good bathing process to release some of the nasty's they have absorbed, else algae problems could plague the hobbyist for a long time.

Dave B

 

[Chlorinated]

The pic in the OP looks like stacked dinner plates to me. Not something I would ever do personally.

Natural rock with natural shapes is the way to go. If yiu need stability drill the rock or epoxy.

 

[steveschuerger]

Definitely the natural look. Never been fond of oddball deco in freshwater either. Here’s both the reef and my discus tank

 

[Troylee]

That ledge rock looks like something I would put on my outdoor kitchen lol.. I like real rock

 

[zoomonster]

Hey whatever does it for someone. For me real deal or no deal. Granted I was fortunate enough to get good real rock years ago and I understand the hurdles of trying to get decent live rock these days. From what I gather all that's available these days is land mined dead rock or the same tossed into the ocean and "aquacultured". Well, there's always the purple painted "real reef" that's kind of alive (at least bacterially). Honestly if I had to start from scratch the only choice, I see is the Tampa Bay farmed stuff or similar.

 

[El_reverde]

I am all about ole natural look.

 

[NkSde]

As long as it does the job you put it in for I’m down for whatever.
I’ve got marco, coralife, some ceramic hides as long as it’s not detrimental and I don’t think it’s ugly I’ll put it in there.

 

[threebuoys]

I have an aversion to paying the prices typically charged for real or artificial reef rocks these days. So, I pick up coquina off the beach. I suspect when new it is not as effective as real coral reef rock but it attracts coraline just as well, it holds bacteria just as well, and I find a lot of interesting shapes that have worked well. I haven't noticed any downside.

 

[jft]

I have an aversion to paying the prices typically charged for real or artificial reef rocks these days. So, I pick up coquina off the beach. I suspect when new it is not as effective as real coral reef rock but it attracts coraline just as well, it holds bacteria just as well, and I find a lot of interesting shapes that have worked well. I haven't noticed any downside.

Thats great but NOT everyone lives near a beach or Have access to free oick up off the sand rocks, LOL.

 

[bushdoc]

As scuba diver I attest that reefscape in nature is usually not as elaborate as many reefers are creating. Small crevices and holes are common, but elaborate arches are quite rare and usually magnet to divers exploring them.
I have seen few wrecks there covered with corals and other growth, but no castles or pineapple under the sea.