Updated 2023
When it comes to live rock, there’s often confusion, especially for those new to the hobby. Essentially, there are two types: wet live rock and dry live rock.
It’s important to understand that live rock is considered “live” not because it arrives alive, but because it becomes “alive” with beneficial bacteria once added to your saltwater aquarium.
In this post, I’ll focus on dry live rock, as it’s more environmentally friendly and easier to aquascape compared to wet live rock, which is often harvested from the ocean and comes with various hitchhikers.
The five options below are all dry live rock and serve as excellent base rock for your tank. While exploring, you’ll find different shapes like shelf rock or branch rock that suit your preferences, but these options will provide a solid foundation.
For beginners wondering how much to get, it depends on your tank’s shape and your aquascaping style. For a minimal aquascape, aim for 1 lb of live rock per gallon of display tank water. If you prefer a tank filled with rock, double that to 2 lbs per gallon of display water.
As of the current date, you can get an amazing deal on Amazon, scoring 40 lbs of dry base rock made of aragonite for under $60!
This base rock is perfect for stacking, highly porous, and can even be chiseled to create different shapes and sizes. If you’re not too concerned about having specific branching or shelf shapes, this option is ideal.
It offers excellent shelter for your livestock, ample spots to mount corals, and serves as the primary biological filter for your aquarium.
For those looking to cement these pieces together to create a more stable aquascape, I highly recommend AquaForest’s Stonefix. I’ve tried various brands, but I always find myself returning to this one.
I’m a big fan of Marco Rocks! Having used them in my own tanks, I truly appreciate their commitment to sustainability.
These rocks are responsibly sourced from a quarry above ground in Florida, ensuring they are 100% pest-free and eco-friendly. Rest assured, you won’t be contributing to the destruction of our oceans by choosing these rocks.
Not only do they stack wonderfully, but they are also lighter in weight compared to others, giving you more value for your investment.
You can find them in various size boxes (10 lbs, 25 lbs, and 50 lbs), offering a diverse range of shapes and sizes. If needed, you can easily use a saw to create flat sections or a chisel to break larger pieces into smaller ones.
While they may be a bit pricier than option one, I can personally vouch for the quality and benefits of using Marco Rocks. They’re worth the investment!
3. CaribSea Base Rock
This rock is quite good, and you can pick it up in 10lb increments, so you only need to buy what you need!
I’m guessing they get the flat “shelf” shape by just cutting some of their other rocks above! But whatever, it works and is a great shape for mounting corals.
Again, this rock will arrive to you dry, is pest free, and is not pulled from our oceans.
2. CaribSea Life Rock Arches
I’m really impressed by this rock. I’ve spent quite a while admiring it at my local fish store (LFS). It’s made of aragonite and comes in a stunning purple color, cleverly imitating coralline algae. The best part is that it’s sustainably sourced and doesn’t harm our oceans. Filled with spored bacteria, it offers a great starting point for your tank’s biological filtration.
I must admit, it’s the priciest option on this list, costing considerably more than the Nature’s Ocean Base Rock.
However, before you dismiss it based on the price alone, consider this: your aquascape is a crucial element of your tank’s visual appeal, influencing its overall aesthetic. It’s something you’ll see every day, and you may regret not investing in the right rocks down the line. So, if you have the extra funds to spare, take a moment to think about it at least!
1. CaribSea Life Rock
At the top of the list is the CaribSea Life Rock, and it’s my personal favorite for a few good reasons:
1. The base rock shapes fit together nicely when stacked.
2. It comes with a beautiful purple coralline color that adds visual appeal to the tank.
3. Sustainably sourced, ensuring you’re making an eco-friendly choice.
4. Filled with spored bacteria, which aids in faster tank cycling.
Admittedly, this rock does come at a higher cost compared to the white-colored rocks mentioned earlier. However, the visual payoff is worth it. While it may take years for coraline algae to naturally cover other rocks, the CaribSea Life Rock gives your tank an established reef system look right from day one.
