which type of live rock is best?

[dekay]

seems like most ppl have fiji live rock. any specific reason why? tonga rocks are expensive, that i can understand. but what about live rock from kanai?

[Wilty]

Tongo branch is really nice (as in looking). I ordered some deep water Tongo and it is fairly dense. Too dense for my liking. I have not tried Kanai. Don't know why Fiji is so common Must be the shipping and harvest laws.

[Quinn]

I am very satisfied with my Kanai, considering the price I paid. Some nasty hitchhikers and problem algaes, but nothing a bit of hard work couldn't fix.

[Jack]

Figi rock is nice. Some people like to splurge and get different kinds of rock like Tonga and Marshal because of thier shape, size, density, etc but for me Figi is fine. Like teevee said, that kanai is supposed to be nice aswell and for the price you just can't beat it.

[Aquattro]

I've found all rock is the same after it's been in your tank for a year. Get the best price you can for 80% of your rock, and then hand pick the top pieces from your local LFS. Type doesn't really matter in the end.
I have Fiji, Tonga, Jakarta, marhall and others and it all looks the same now. The rock I paid $15/lb for is the same as the $3/lb rock...really!!

[Troy F]

Originally Posted by Brad

Type doesn't really matter in the end.

Other than density and shape which do matter. A bunch of heavy round boulders will cost more and be a real beeyotch to aquascape.

Brad, one of these days I'll have to tell you a story about a friend that said a very similar thing during a poker game with my hockey buddies.

[Aquattro]

Troy, I've seen round heavy boulders in every type of rock I listed. That comes under quality of rock, not type. Granted, some are predisposed to a particular density, but overall, rock is rock.

[EmilyB]

Fiji has IME always been very porous rock, (I have handpicked most of mine) hence very good biofiltration. I've tossed other varieties that I've picked up along the way because they are just a chunk of solid rock.

[Troy F]

I thought I was just clarifying your point. The thing with really dense rock is that even though cheaper per pound the volume is smaller. Does that make sense? All of the Fiji rock I've seen is really porous. Less means more.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Troy F

I thought I was just clarifying your point.

Really? I thought you were arguing against my point :-) Who can tell on these boards!!