live rock

[mpomfret]

I am about ready to put H20 in my tank and have some questions about live rock. One of my goals with this tank is to be as low-impact on the world's reefs as I can be. So I am looking for aquacultured live rock.

First, is aquacultured rock the way to go ?

I have found Tampa Bay Saltwater's and Gulf View Marine's websites but don't know anything about them. Are these good suppliers ? Are there others I should look at ?

Does anyone out there deal in artificial live rock ?

Thanks for the help.

Matt

[AdidaKev]

Aquacultured rock definitely reduces pressure put on collection from pre-formed reefs. However, the cultured rock is often produced by placing man-made rocks in the ocean and allowing them to become "live." This process in turn creates an artificial reef on which many animals can thrive; therefore, when it is taken back out of the water, a new reef is being destroyed, leaving any inhabitants homeless.

I definitely think that cultured rock is a better choice than natural, but it still has an environmental impact.

[staman]

So is that really lord Stanleys cup your kissing or is that the "traveller" as we canadians call it....

[IPowderBlueTang]

Check out garf.org I think they sell artificial live rock and they also have a recipe how to make it!

[old salty]

I look at it this way: The United States Government (worlds largest polluter) blew a few hydrogen bombs in the Marshall Islands in the 50's. This created an enormous amount of rock which became live rock over the years. My purchase of 200 lbs supports the community of the people who live there as well as assisted in the cleanup of their reefs.

[cutsupremetrib]

agreed old salty I bought twenty pounds of the most premium stuff i could get and the rest was all dead or lace rock which has done really well and is now completely live

[jawaiianmon]

TBS is good stuff. Making your own rocks even better.

[rustybucket145]

go to garf.org and make your own. It is a blast and (after a few tries) you will get the rock that fits your space and looks great. All of this for cheaper that store bought and with almost no environmental impact.

[keeperofthefish]

Walt Smith International in Fiji is one of the best in terms of helping support the local economy and develop industry while also looking at marine sustainability issues in terms of quickly replenishing what they take out of the ocean--and making the rock, on top of that.

[cutsupremetrib]

not only will making your own liverock have less of an enviromental impact but you lessen the risk of getting all those pesky critters you dont want

[Poorcollegereef]

I recycled live rock...

what I mean about this is that I found someone who was moving and selling parts of his tank. They werent keeping the tank after the move so I bought the live rock. Although this live rock was harvested somewhere in the pacific, I felt it was better than letting the nice live rock be thrown away (although I think he was going to sell it back to the LSF or something) So now I have recycled/second chance live rock in my tank and its wonderful!