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New Build after a very long time (1 Viewer)

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jesusq

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Hello all,

I took the plunge and decided to upgrade my tank from a 120gal to a 150gal since I am home now and need something to do. Not much of an upgrade, but I had my old tank for more than 10 years and wanted to change.

I'm planning my aquascape and am trying to see what's out there now? Last time I build my tank I used Marco's Rock out of Florida, but they are no longer doing shipping and have to go through a 3rd party. Is there anyone local here in Houston? Is there a competitor to Marco's rock?

I feel new to the hobby since I've been out of the loop for a while.
 

Cody

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No matter which rock you go with, hit up Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock and buy maybe 20-30lbs of sand from them. Will kick start your nitrifying bacteria, big time. I typically use about 20-30% live rock from them when I’m doing a new tank too. Might have to kill a few crabs, and it works out to about $8/lb, but you’re just buying time. It’s like seeding for soil versus buying sod. The choice comes up to the individual.
 

RobertP

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I bought some of this rock and Marcos rocks and I could not tell the difference...and this rock was about half the price at 40 pounds for $48. Yeah it was dirty but all mined rock is dirty and needs to be rinsed and soaked with a powerhead before putting it in a clean tank.
 
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For Live Rock I agree with Cody, TBS is the best around here.

Although I will never do live rock again because it’s almost certain that Vermetid’s will come in on it.

Dry rock and rock in general is getting harder to get. I’ve had good success with Marco Rock. Didn’t realize they have shipping issues now.
 

steveb

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Dry rock and rock in general is getting harder to get. I’ve had good success with Marco Rock. Didn’t realize they have shipping issues now.

Its not a shipping issue. They just didn't want to do retail anymore. i.e. they want to sell a pallet to BRS or whomever rather than 40lbs to you, me and everyone else.
 

Cody

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3rd the TBS rock. My only issue was the # of gorilla crabs that came in with it.
Dude I found a 3” across one maybe 11 months after I got the rock. I’m looking for pictures but they’re probably on my computer from when I had to return my work phone.
 

Stickboy97

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I found one about 2" several months after as well... he was killing stuff and hoarding it in his little burrow... little bastard!
 
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jesusq

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Thanks Cody,

I do have my current sandbed. I'm not getting rid of that nor am I going to kill it. I want to focus on the aquascape and have something that I'm going to feel comfortable for years to come. As I had the same tank for more than 10 years now. I feel comfortable when I do the migration and once my salanity and chemicales are colose and I move the sand bed over, that the bacterial will grow again quickly. That was the idea back in the days when you had no choice but to buy live rock to cycle your tank. I rather loose the bacteria on the rocks while I aquascape the tank and put the sand bed aftewards to spike the cycling on the tank.
 
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