whats your input on AQUACULTURED LIVEROCK ??

attml

attml

Active Member
Hey Jon,
Welcome back - I hadn't seen you posting in a while! That is a very interesting point! Natures Ocean Bio-Active sand uses that as one of their selling points:
("Artificially adding bacteria (or cultured bacteria) does not make the same biofilm. It is not as efficient as the biofilm found on sand in the ocean which have been naturally selected through millions of years of evolution")
Did they (Fenner/Calfo) make any mention of additional benifits of true live sand vs dead sand (i.e. Southdown). Or do you think this is just advertising at it's finest? I had posted something about this a week or two ago. Thanks!
Mark
 
zafirablanca

zafirablanca

Member
Since I got a substantial amount of rock, I got some very LARGE pieces (40+ lbs per rock for the base rocks). I did get some mantis (I believe three), mostly because these rocks were so large that they could hide pretty far in there.
I have identified these guys and they are small smashers. I got several inverts with my rock also, including snails of many types, mithrax crabs, porcelain crabs, pistol shrimp, numerous worms, several types of feater dusters, severeal types of sea squirts, many large clams and small oysters, pods, pods and more pods. So far the mantis have only eaten the barnacles. Thats it. I am watching and they much prefer to be fed than go feeding.
These guys do not seem to have much impact on the tank, and apparently this species really isn't too bad. They are not interested in fish (I supposed 'cause they are smashers - and quite small), but are very interested in me. They come out to see me and eat food (love sinking shrimp pellets!). I have caught one with a net and sent it to a fellow reefer in Iowa, where he/ she has his/ her own tank now. I will take them out as I catch them, but am alot less worried about them than I used to be.
This has not changed my opinion about the Florida rock at all. I must have three dozen porcelain crabs (these guys are great!). I see them for sale on the web for $8.95 each! And mine are breeding! I have some little guys that are barely visible, slightly larger than an amphipod. It is fun to get close and watch them filter feeding away!
-Christine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top