Couple of Live Rock questions

ken6217 · 09/28/2008, 04:58 PM

In the past I had purchased rock locally here in NJ even though it was more expensive than online, but I could pick the pieces that I want.

I am going to setup up second tank (70 gal Oceanic) and was thinking of buying the rock from Premium Aquatics. I heard that they had nice rock. My first question has to do with the "life" that is said to come along with the cured rock. It was my understanding (maybe incorrectly) that you should pull off any sponges or macro algae and scrub the rock before putting it in your tank as it will most likely die off anyway and prolong the process. Also it would be a waste of time to aquascape and then pull out the rock only to take a brush to it to get off the new die off. What is the general consensus with regards to this? Would you leave the life on it, or scrub it before putting it in the tank. Below is a sample of what I would be getting.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/liver...es/timora5.JPG
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/liver...es/timora1.JPG

My second question has to do with how long rock can be out of water but packed in bags and boxed? A very large store here in NJ (not a small LFS) said that they stock rock that does not fit into their tank, bagged and boxed. He said that rock generally comes from overseas and sits for weeks in boxes as some come by ship since air freight is too expensive. Normally I would not even ponder this and ask the question on this forum if it had come from someone other than the person that told me this. These people do have a large assortment of great shaped rocks and I would give this place a consideration except what they are saying seems to go against everything I have always heard. It's not like they are selling their rock as "dry rock".

Thanks in advance.
Ken

09/28/2008, 04:58 PM	#1
ken6217 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,179	Couple of Live Rock questions In the past I had purchased rock locally here in NJ even though it was more expensive than online, but I could pick the pieces that I want. I am going to setup up second tank (70 gal Oceanic) and was thinking of buying the rock from Premium Aquatics. I heard that they had nice rock. My first question has to do with the "life" that is said to come along with the cured rock. It was my understanding (maybe incorrectly) that you should pull off any sponges or macro algae and scrub the rock before putting it in your tank as it will most likely die off anyway and prolong the process. Also it would be a waste of time to aquascape and then pull out the rock only to take a brush to it to get off the new die off. What is the general consensus with regards to this? Would you leave the life on it, or scrub it before putting it in the tank. Below is a sample of what I would be getting. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/liver...es/timora5.JPG http://www.premiumaquatics.com/liver...es/timora1.JPG My second question has to do with how long rock can be out of water but packed in bags and boxed? A very large store here in NJ (not a small LFS) said that they stock rock that does not fit into their tank, bagged and boxed. He said that rock generally comes from overseas and sits for weeks in boxes as some come by ship since air freight is too expensive. Normally I would not even ponder this and ask the question on this forum if it had come from someone other than the person that told me this. These people do have a large assortment of great shaped rocks and I would give this place a consideration except what they are saying seems to go against everything I have always heard. It's not like they are selling their rock as "dry rock". Thanks in advance. Ken