2nd hand Sand and Rocks

Olival · 11/09/2012, 10:09 AM

Hi guys,

I'm now on the process of getting my sand and rocks bought. As I've been using Craig's List for the tank and other more safe stuff, I saw several people in my area selling Rocks and Sand from their Aquarium...I was wondering what's the most experienced hobbyists opinio on that ?

Is there a problem ? can I inherit some diseases of some sort or other unwanted guests?
If I by a bit from one and a bit from another, would the difference between rock types stand out?
Is the same for dry and live rock ?!

thanks in advance and sorry if the question sound silly!

jdezek · 11/09/2012, 11:38 AM

Anytime you buy live rock or sand you risk getting unwanted pests or chemicals such as copper. I don't think the differant rock type stand out, it's all in how you place it. I prefer buying dry rock, it may stand out for awhile but once the coraline grows on it it blends in and you don't risk getting coral eating hitch hikers.

kzziboy · 11/09/2012, 11:47 AM

I always see that 2nd hand live rock is possible to contain chemicals like copper... Why is that particular thing such a fear?

What's the most common way copper gets in there in the first place?

Mcluett · 11/09/2012, 12:08 PM

I would agree. My last tank I purchased rock and sand from a fellow reef and feel I was just trying to play catch up with nuisance algae and aptasia.

For my new tank I intend to just start fresh. Plus with dry rock you can set up your aquascape before hand, dry, and get it how you like it.

Olival · 11/09/2012, 07:07 PM

Thanks guys...I'm planning to get about 100 lbs of dry and 20-30 of live rock...but I think not go 2nd hand!!! I don't want that feeling of something is wrong without knowing what and maybe be blame the 2nd hand rocks! thanks much!

b0bab0ey · 11/09/2012, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzziboy

I always see that 2nd hand live rock is possible to contain chemicals like copper... Why is that particular thing such a fear?

What's the most common way copper gets in there in the first place?

Most people looking to unload sand/LR on craigslist are doing so because they just experienced a wipe out and are looking to get out of the hobby. If their tank got infected with a disease, such as Ich, they may have used copper in-tank to treat. Rock & sand absorbs copper to the point that you have to soak it in muriatic acid to get it all out. Otherwise, it will continually leach copper back into the water.

To the OP: For reasons stated above (and other considerations), I would only buy 2nd hand rock/sand from someone I knew & trusted.

Rockys_Pride · 11/09/2012, 11:23 PM

No such thing as "first-hand" live rock, unless YOU cycle it from scratch. Even buying from a LFS, you inherit their hitchhikers.

skykingcory · 11/10/2012, 08:17 AM

A lot of fish stores get their live rock from tank take downs and trade ins. So with any live rock you would have to assume there is risk.

11/09/2012, 10:09 AM	#1
Olival Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 107	2nd hand Sand and Rocks Hi guys, I'm now on the process of getting my sand and rocks bought. As I've been using Craig's List for the tank and other more safe stuff, I saw several people in my area selling Rocks and Sand from their Aquarium...I was wondering what's the most experienced hobbyists opinio on that ? Is there a problem ? can I inherit some diseases of some sort or other unwanted guests? If I by a bit from one and a bit from another, would the difference between rock types stand out? Is the same for dry and live rock ?! thanks in advance and sorry if the question sound silly! __________________ I never thought that in order to have an Aquarium I would have to peel so many wallpaper!!! Current Tank Info: 120 gal (4x2x2), 40B Gal sump (DYI), Mag 9.5, 2x Koralia Evo (1400), Apex JR, 2x 120W LEDs, SRO 2000int

11/09/2012, 11:47 AM	#3
kzziboy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spearfish, SD Posts: 187	I always see that 2nd hand live rock is possible to contain chemicals like copper... Why is that particular thing such a fear? What's the most common way copper gets in there in the first place? __________________ kzziboy Current Tank Info: 75 gallon. 4-48" T5's 2 10k and 2 actinic

11/09/2012, 07:07 PM	#5
Olival Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 107	Thanks guys...I'm planning to get about 100 lbs of dry and 20-30 of live rock...but I think not go 2nd hand!!! I don't want that feeling of something is wrong without knowing what and maybe be blame the 2nd hand rocks! thanks much! __________________ I never thought that in order to have an Aquarium I would have to peel so many wallpaper!!! Current Tank Info: 120 gal (4x2x2), 40B Gal sump (DYI), Mag 9.5, 2x Koralia Evo (1400), Apex JR, 2x 120W LEDs, SRO 2000int

11/09/2012, 11:38 AM	#2
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	Anytime you buy live rock or sand you risk getting unwanted pests or chemicals such as copper. I don't think the differant rock type stand out, it's all in how you place it. I prefer buying dry rock, it may stand out for awhile but once the coraline grows on it it blends in and you don't risk getting coral eating hitch hikers.

11/09/2012, 12:08 PM	#4
Mcluett Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 59	I would agree. My last tank I purchased rock and sand from a fellow reef and feel I was just trying to play catch up with nuisance algae and aptasia. For my new tank I intend to just start fresh. Plus with dry rock you can set up your aquascape before hand, dry, and get it how you like it.

11/09/2012, 11:23 PM	#7
Rockys_Pride Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: colorado Posts: 490	No such thing as "first-hand" live rock, unless YOU cycle it from scratch. Even buying from a LFS, you inherit their hitchhikers.

11/10/2012, 08:17 AM	#8
skykingcory Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portageville, MO Posts: 54	A lot of fish stores get their live rock from tank take downs and trade ins. So with any live rock you would have to assume there is risk.