Give an overview of different type of liverock to use in the reef aquarium

In a book I have, a variety of different rocks is recommended. Here it is:
- 16 lbs base rock for bottom, fist size
- 54lbs premium quality for back and sides, large and flat
- 27lbs encrusted octocoral, large long, for high points
- 15lbs ricordia mushroom rock for accents
This is for a 75G tank. Approximately 1.5lb per gallon. For the base rock, does it have to be live rock or dead rock will suffice?

If you're on a strict budget, dead rock will be fine. The only thing is from the start it will most likely be a different color than the new rock, but it should be fine.

I was planning to use fiji uncured rock as the premium rock.

Thanks fine as long as you allow enough time to completely cycle before your add other livestock

Finally, I don't have a clue of what the two last ones are. Can you really specify the type of coral encrusted in a rock when you order it ???

Ok, basically there are aprox 4 kinds of encrusting coral that is available. Ricordia, and then different types of encrusting octocoral. To specify it you would ask for it (or it would be advertised) by name.

This type of rock is very expensive, but nice. Im guessing it's out of the question to order outside of Canada?? If that's the case, then it seems like your at the mercy of the local dealer.

Have you tried mail order pets of canada? I think there is a link on my links page