Base Rock, it is live rock to be sure, its just my understanding that this rock is generally slab type, bulky pieces that dont have much in the way of shape or character. Could be wrong but thats just the way I have interpreted what I have read and been told. I havent ordered any so I could really comment on this from personal experience. It is a interesting question that I would like to see some kinda standard definition put on.
I only started with 45 lbs of Kaelini, the other 200 lbs is all home made stuff. I chose the Kaelini as opposed to Fiji pretty much for the same reason Marcus chose Tongan rock. My home made rock is getting pretty tough to tell a difference in. Its got all kinds of sponges, tube worms and three different shades of Coralline algae growing on it. I am not really much of a Save the whales kinda guy, but I do believe in conservation, and not raping natrual resources. I really do support the "Zero Impact Reef Tank" promoted by GARF. I think its a fantastic idea and concept. So far 60 of the 160 pounds of sand, 45 of 245 pounds of rock and 4 of the 30 corals I have got, came directly from the ocean instead of aquacultured. Its not quiet Zero Impact but I think thats pretty good....considering many tanks I have seen.
I would however...like to get a few pieces of some other kinds of live rock. I would kinda like to boost the Bio-Diversity if possible in my system. I am a bit hesitent about ordering any more though. If I do I want to get some that will add some different types of coralline algae to my system and possible a few benefical hitch hickers too. I kinda want to set up a couple of small tanks and use a few pieces of Jakarta, Marshal Island, or Carribean rock. I havent seen any of this rock and have always wondered just what it looks like compared to what I got now. So far the only rock I have seen is Fiji, Kaelini, Tonga Branch/Base and Vavau(sp?). Like Marcus said, just about everyone has Fiji. I have seen some Tonga Branch and it was okay looking, maybe I just saw a bad batch. The Vavau(sp?) didnt look much different than Fiji.
Whats everyone else take on this and opinion of Live Rock varieties?