where to buy live rock?

sstarr1114 · 05/09/2011, 08:43 PM

Any suggestions on mail order live rock? I just set up a new 75 gallon tank and there are not many choices locally for rock. Going to have to go mail. Suggestions appreciated.

James77 · 05/09/2011, 08:45 PM

Live Aquaria is tough to beat, Ive heard great things about Premium Aquatics as well.

CLisPRO · 05/09/2011, 08:46 PM

BRS has alot of dry rock it is alot cheaper and you get more because it ways less it will take longer to cycle though just keep it as an option.

sstarr1114 · 05/09/2011, 08:51 PM

Thanks, Live aquaria is out of alot of rock right now but Premium Aquatics has some. I think I might go that route.

tnjeanie · 05/09/2011, 08:54 PM

I can't believe this question was on here, I am here trying to find the same thing. I am a little confused about live rock, curing. Do you have to cure all live rock bought on line? I have a 29 gallon aquarium I want to start up. How much live rock and live sand do I need to start with? Do I have to have sand? I thought I saw somewhere about a bare bottom aquarium. Can you do a saltwater aquarium without sand? Thank you in advance for your help.
Jeanie

willandmelsreef · 05/09/2011, 09:05 PM

Im lucky I live 15 minutes from Premium Aquatics and they have walk in hours on the weekends. I save so much $$ on shipping and don't have to wait for my order to ship. They have great rock

kctango · 05/10/2011, 08:14 AM

gulfliverock.com is where I purchased my live rock from. It came in with all sorts of life on it and most to this day has survived. You can look at my post on my build to see the rock. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1991764

Lynnmw1208 · 05/10/2011, 08:52 AM

I really liked the look of tampa bay saltwater's live rock. I have seen a couple threads already from people who have used them and they send all kinds of goodies to you as well. If I had to do it over, I'd get live rock from them and not all dry rock. the life inside is just amazing! http://tbsaltwater.com/

Sport507 · 05/10/2011, 08:59 AM

I bought all my live rock from Premium Aquatics they have a nice selection and are great to help.

lalav02 · 05/10/2011, 09:08 AM

I bought mine from a place called Aloha Aquariums(google it), it came in great condition. I bought two separate batches, the first rocks were huge show size and the second one was large also but interestingly shaped.

jeff@zina.com · 05/10/2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sstarr1114

Any suggestions on mail order live rock?

Start with the sponsors here at Reef Forum.

Jeff

jkcoon · 05/10/2011, 01:46 PM

I'd recommend either buying dry rock or purchase locally.... your best bet is often from a local reefer, via local forum. I think you get too much die-off from shipped live rock but that's just my opinion.

geccles · 05/10/2011, 03:03 PM

Sealifeinc.net has good stuff as well. Can't go wrong with any of the sponsors though.

sponger0 · 05/10/2011, 03:14 PM

I would look locally for small businesses not your LFS. In my area I have multiple guys I can go to for supplies that are strictly saltwater. You can even save alot going on craigslist but you never know what you will get there so if you go that route i would plan on waiting for a long cycle

I got for my biocube 28 lbs of live rock and 34 lbs live sand for less than $100 from a local aquaculturer. That would cost a minimum of $150 at your LFS or online not to mention shipping

sstarr1114 · 05/10/2011, 08:30 PM

I appreciate the feedback, I made a purchase from Premium Aquatics. They were very helpful and I haven't heard anything bad about their stuff yet. I did only buy about 40 lbs for starters just to see what I get.
I've been doing alot of reading on people using dry rock. I'm thinking of trying some out myself, still undecided though. I'm going to need more rock than the 40 lbs though so I better make a decision pretty soon here.

sstarr1114 · 05/10/2011, 08:46 PM

I'll post pictures of the rock when it comes in

OregonReefer · 05/11/2011, 02:18 AM

If you round it out with 30ish lbs of BRS Pukani you're going to have more than enough to fill your tank

This is BRS Pukani in a 120... about 70-80 lbs

At $3.50 a lb you can't beat it

05/09/2011, 08:43 PM	#1
sstarr1114 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Utica, ny Posts: 54	where to buy live rock? Any suggestions on mail order live rock? I just set up a new 75 gallon tank and there are not many choices locally for rock. Going to have to go mail. Suggestions appreciated.

05/09/2011, 08:45 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Live Aquaria is tough to beat, Ive heard great things about Premium Aquatics as well. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

05/09/2011, 09:05 PM	#6
willandmelsreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Indianapolis, In Posts: 182	Im lucky I live 15 minutes from Premium Aquatics and they have walk in hours on the weekends. I save so much $$ on shipping and don't have to wait for my order to ship. They have great rock __________________ WISHING I LIVED IN THE CORAL TRIANGLE Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef

05/10/2011, 08:52 AM	#8
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	I really liked the look of tampa bay saltwater's live rock. I have seen a couple threads already from people who have used them and they send all kinds of goodies to you as well. If I had to do it over, I'd get live rock from them and not all dry rock. the life inside is just amazing! http://tbsaltwater.com/ __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

05/10/2011, 08:59 AM	#9
Sport507 ~Just a Farm Boy~ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,651	I bought all my live rock from Premium Aquatics they have a nice selection and are great to help. __________________ Sport If you do not test for it, DON'T dose it. Indiana INDMAS Member

05/09/2011, 08:46 PM	#3
CLisPRO Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 66	BRS has alot of dry rock it is alot cheaper and you get more because it ways less it will take longer to cycle though just keep it as an option.

05/09/2011, 08:51 PM	#4
sstarr1114 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Utica, ny Posts: 54	Thanks, Live aquaria is out of alot of rock right now but Premium Aquatics has some. I think I might go that route.

05/09/2011, 08:54 PM	#5
tnjeanie Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 16	I can't believe this question was on here, I am here trying to find the same thing. I am a little confused about live rock, curing. Do you have to cure all live rock bought on line? I have a 29 gallon aquarium I want to start up. How much live rock and live sand do I need to start with? Do I have to have sand? I thought I saw somewhere about a bare bottom aquarium. Can you do a saltwater aquarium without sand? Thank you in advance for your help. Jeanie

05/10/2011, 08:14 AM	#7
kctango Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coastal Georgia Posts: 269	gulfliverock.com is where I purchased my live rock from. It came in with all sorts of life on it and most to this day has survived. You can look at my post on my build to see the rock. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1991764

05/10/2011, 09:08 AM	#10
lalav02 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bay, AR Posts: 34	I bought mine from a place called Aloha Aquariums(google it), it came in great condition. I bought two separate batches, the first rocks were huge show size and the second one was large also but interestingly shaped.

05/10/2011, 01:46 PM	#12
jkcoon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Missouri - KC area Posts: 218	I'd recommend either buying dry rock or purchase locally.... your best bet is often from a local reefer, via local forum. I think you get too much die-off from shipped live rock but that's just my opinion.

05/10/2011, 03:03 PM	#13
geccles Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 69	Sealifeinc.net has good stuff as well. Can't go wrong with any of the sponsors though.

05/10/2011, 03:14 PM	#14
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	I would look locally for small businesses not your LFS. In my area I have multiple guys I can go to for supplies that are strictly saltwater. You can even save alot going on craigslist but you never know what you will get there so if you go that route i would plan on waiting for a long cycle I got for my biocube 28 lbs of live rock and 34 lbs live sand for less than $100 from a local aquaculturer. That would cost a minimum of $150 at your LFS or online not to mention shipping Last edited by sponger0; 05/10/2011 at 03:16 PM. Reason: Additional info

05/10/2011, 08:30 PM	#15
sstarr1114 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Utica, ny Posts: 54	I appreciate the feedback, I made a purchase from Premium Aquatics. They were very helpful and I haven't heard anything bad about their stuff yet. I did only buy about 40 lbs for starters just to see what I get. I've been doing alot of reading on people using dry rock. I'm thinking of trying some out myself, still undecided though. I'm going to need more rock than the 40 lbs though so I better make a decision pretty soon here.

05/10/2011, 08:46 PM	#16
sstarr1114 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Utica, ny Posts: 54	I'll post pictures of the rock when it comes in

05/11/2011, 02:18 AM	#17
OregonReefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 629	If you round it out with 30ish lbs of BRS Pukani you're going to have more than enough to fill your tank This is BRS Pukani in a 120... about 70-80 lbs At $3.50 a lb you can't beat it __________________ 120g drilled, 30G sump, 20g Fuge, RO NWB200 Skimmer, Glass Holes Overflow, mag 12.0 return, Reeflo Dart closed loop, 6-bulb Sunlight Tek

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