Carribean or Figi...

[grayne]

I am beginning the planning process for my next reef (120 Gal.) and I am starting from the bottom, i.e. the sand bed. What I would like to know is: Which do you prefer Carribean or Figi live sand? Both are easily available (Figi more $$$ though), and I want to get some ideas of other peoples experiences with these to help me make a decision.

 

[byrself]

my sand bed is aragonite based. i do use figi rock, and like it a lot. worth the extra money to me but that's just my preference. seems to have the better shapes and colors imo. either is fine as long as they are equal in quality. both generally serve the same purpose. hth

 

[byrself]

hey anthem, i was wondering something about what a lfs told me about figi, said that it was getting harder and harder to get, like because of collection regulations and stuff, do you think this is a true statement? or do you think he was just trying to sell me some of the other rock he had tons of in stock? i would like to continue using figi down the road and was just wondering if i need to get while the getting is good. thanks if you can help me..

 

[frankl15207]

Somehow this question went from sand to rock.
When I added 5 lbs of live Florida sand to my established system, aiptasia showed up. I can't be sure if this is where they came from, but I didn't have them before the Florida sand hit. It's my understanding that they are native to that area.
I simply used the bagged live sand and seeded it after the tank cycled with a few pounds of the Florida and later Fiji, more for diversity of life than necessity. I don't think there is a "better" from an argument point of view, simply appearance and the reason that you want to add it.
Supposedly the Fiji situation has more to do with airlines using smaller planes and fewer flights to increase profitability to/from that area. That means less space for live rock and other cargo. Since it seems to be uniform throughout the sites that sell the stuff, and some of those do buy direct, it seems to be a logical explanation.

 

[grayne]

Since the topic of rock has also been covered here let me ask this question: If there are all sorts of regulations and laws restricting coral harvesting in the carribean, is carribean rock just a bland looking piece of rock? I know the Figi can have all sorts of coral and other life growing on it, whereas if the carribean had the coral growths would it not be illegal rock? Is there comparable carribean LR to Figi rock?

 

[frankl15207]

Most (technically I guess all) of the Florida rock is aquacultured - placed in leased areas to seed before being harvested. It is legal rock under permits from the government.
The Fiji rock is supposedly collected from rock that has broken away from the reefs due to storms, etc and would simply fall off the shelf anyway. There apparently remain some questions as to whether all of the rock being removed from Fiji is legally removed or aided by those that collect it.
I've never used or seen the Florida rock outside of pictures. Generally, the purpose of live rock is for the coralline algae and biological activity and diversity on the rock. Anything else, such as corals, should be looked at as a bonus. Specifically with Fiji rock, a lot of those 'extras' die off in transport (why the rock needs 'cured').

 

[grayne]

Thank you for that explanation...I have always been confused about this issue.