Newbie Question: Selecting Live Rock, Help Please*

foodog · 11/30/2009, 09:06 PM

Hey guys. I'm very inexperienced in saltwater and have decided to take on the challenge. I have a new finnex 30 gallon mtank and was looking for suggestions on purchasing live rock. Rock at local aquariums are ridiculously high so I want searching online and found this guy on eBay. Suggestions? Do you think 10 pounds will be enough? Thanks for the help

My Tank: http://i45.*******.com/v5datf.jpg

Ebay Auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/10-pounds-of-Pre...item20ae4b9210

chow · 11/30/2009, 09:26 PM

You don't really say what size tank you have which makes a big difference. Plus you haven't said if you are planning on doing reef or fish only. Fish require less rock but reef you want more.

As for the ebay stuff, at $6/lb I would think you could find some locally both a a local fish store or from a tank teardown from somebody exiting the hobby. Try craigslist or some local reefing board near you. You should be able to find some rock at $2-$6 easily. Try to find some variety in the rock and some larger pieces....and some flat pieces to create some caves if you planning on adding fish.

dwd5813 · 11/30/2009, 09:41 PM

ten pounds is not going to be a lot of rock in a 30 gallon tank. i have around 50, 25 of which was bought dry, for my 40 breeder and i could see adding a few more pieces to it once i get back around to setting it up again.

i agree about checking into local reef clubs and seeing what's available before going the ebay route. also look into getting a smaller box of dry rock from either bulk reef supply or marcorocks. in a short while (relatively speaking) you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between the rock you bought live and the dry stuff. if you can get a good deal on some dry rock it will free up some cash to go to either a club member or even the lfs where you can cherry pick a few perfect pieces.

all of that said though, with a smaller tank like this i can't say going with 100% premium live rock from the start is a bad idea. you get high quality rock, which is the base of our systems, and the smaller size of the tank makes doing things this way more affordable than some of the folks who have larger 75+gallon tanks. think it over before you make up your mind.

here's an example of what you can find online:
http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_...397&pcatid=397

prior to shipping the larger box comes out just over 2 bucks a pound. that's pretty good, and that should be all the rock you'd need for around 200 bucks, current sale notwithstanding.

Rangereefer · 11/30/2009, 09:47 PM

General Rule of thumb is 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon...

The nice thing about the dry rock is you aren't getting pests that could come in on "live" rock. You can use a small chunk about the size of a softball to seed a large amount of your dry rock and over time you will get the nice purple coraline covering everything just like if it had been live rock....

Big Country_IL · 11/30/2009, 09:51 PM

The 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon estimate is what I use. Some of it from online, but I prefer buying at the LFS so I can pick out the pieces with lots of holes, etc (less dense rock). You may be able to save some by purchasing dry base-rock also and seeding as described above.

joel g · 11/30/2009, 09:58 PM

I got most of my live rock from craigslist for $3 a lb.

chow · 11/30/2009, 10:00 PM

my bad...didn't see that it was 30G

chow · 11/30/2009, 10:04 PM

I got mine for an average of $2.75 ad by being on the lookout for tank teardowns so this was premo rock with coraline obn it already. I did need to get some at the LFS which is why it's 2.75 othewise the tank teardown rock was at $2!

DC_40gallon · 11/30/2009, 10:18 PM

don't do it.

go through a respected tried and true live rock specialists. My suggestions is marco rock which is a sponsor here on RC. Great cured live rock around $3-4/lb shipped to your door cured.

Can't beat that dude.

chow · 11/30/2009, 11:15 PM

There is something to be said for getting dead rock though.....having the peace of mind you don't have any nasty critters in there that wouldn't want to be there. Thought about it when I got my live rock but decides the benefits outweighed the cons since the bad bugs would probably make into there sooner or later through acquisitions.

leafeater · 11/30/2009, 11:27 PM

DC_40 makes a good point. You don't want any nasty hitchhikers from someone's dirty tank.

chow · 11/30/2009, 11:32 PM

I bet you the respected rock speacialist have just a good a chance to have nasty criters as somebody else. I'm not talking about the nasty critters that you can see right off (Aiptasia, majorano, bubble algae, etc) but little critters like wild nudibranchs or some of the bad asterinas. I really doubt they put in predatory critters in with the live rock while curing to eradicate them before shipping them out. You have to remember though that some of the best rock might have been right from the ocean shipped here from overseas.

foodog · 11/30/2009, 11:36 PM

Thanks so much guys!

aaronnohren · 11/30/2009, 11:46 PM

I got some dry fiji from Bulkreefsupply.com for 2.69 a pound and love it.

chow · 11/30/2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronnohren

I got some dry fiji from Bulkreefsupply.com for 2.69 a pound and love it.

is that factoring in shipping or not?

terri_ann · 12/01/2009, 12:04 AM

As you can read, everyone has their opinions and experiences. Whatever you decide will work as long as it is seeded. The more porous the rock, the better the filtration, hiding places for copepods, etc. Good luck and Happy Reefing!

C3gear · 12/01/2009, 12:27 AM

I would buy 10-20 lbs of good LR and seed the rest, It will take no time and its great to see you setup mature.

11/30/2009, 09:06 PM	#1
foodog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Alhambra, CA Posts: 170	Newbie Question: Selecting Live Rock, Help Please* Hey guys. I'm very inexperienced in saltwater and have decided to take on the challenge. I have a new finnex 30 gallon mtank and was looking for suggestions on purchasing live rock. Rock at local aquariums are ridiculously high so I want searching online and found this guy on eBay. Suggestions? Do you think 10 pounds will be enough? Thanks for the help My Tank: http://i45.*******.com/v5datf.jpg Ebay Auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/10-pounds-of-Pre...item20ae4b9210

11/30/2009, 09:41 PM	#3
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	ten pounds is not going to be a lot of rock in a 30 gallon tank. i have around 50, 25 of which was bought dry, for my 40 breeder and i could see adding a few more pieces to it once i get back around to setting it up again. i agree about checking into local reef clubs and seeing what's available before going the ebay route. also look into getting a smaller box of dry rock from either bulk reef supply or marcorocks. in a short while (relatively speaking) you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference between the rock you bought live and the dry stuff. if you can get a good deal on some dry rock it will free up some cash to go to either a club member or even the lfs where you can cherry pick a few perfect pieces. all of that said though, with a smaller tank like this i can't say going with 100% premium live rock from the start is a bad idea. you get high quality rock, which is the base of our systems, and the smaller size of the tank makes doing things this way more affordable than some of the folks who have larger 75+gallon tanks. think it over before you make up your mind. here's an example of what you can find online: http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_...397&pcatid=397 prior to shipping the larger box comes out just over 2 bucks a pound. that's pretty good, and that should be all the rock you'd need for around 200 bucks, current sale notwithstanding. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm Last edited by dwd5813; 11/30/2009 at 09:57 PM.

12/01/2009, 12:04 AM	#16
terri_ann Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 841	As you can read, everyone has their opinions and experiences. Whatever you decide will work as long as it is seeded. The more porous the rock, the better the filtration, hiding places for copepods, etc. Good luck and Happy Reefing! __________________ Happy Reefing!! :) Current Tank Info: 180g mixed 40B Anemone 5' raceway frag tank

12/01/2009, 12:27 AM	#17
C3gear Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlanta,GA Posts: 51	I would buy 10-20 lbs of good LR and seed the rest, It will take no time and its great to see you setup mature. __________________ Men Do what they want Boys do what they can..... Current Tank Info: starting a new build soon

11/30/2009, 09:26 PM	#2
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	You don't really say what size tank you have which makes a big difference. Plus you haven't said if you are planning on doing reef or fish only. Fish require less rock but reef you want more. As for the ebay stuff, at $6/lb I would think you could find some locally both a a local fish store or from a tank teardown from somebody exiting the hobby. Try craigslist or some local reefing board near you. You should be able to find some rock at $2-$6 easily. Try to find some variety in the rock and some larger pieces....and some flat pieces to create some caves if you planning on adding fish.

11/30/2009, 09:47 PM	#4
Rangereefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Virginia, Minnesota Posts: 55	General Rule of thumb is 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon... The nice thing about the dry rock is you aren't getting pests that could come in on "live" rock. You can use a small chunk about the size of a softball to seed a large amount of your dry rock and over time you will get the nice purple coraline covering everything just like if it had been live rock....

11/30/2009, 09:51 PM	#5
Big Country_IL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rock Island County, Illinois Posts: 54	The 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon estimate is what I use. Some of it from online, but I prefer buying at the LFS so I can pick out the pieces with lots of holes, etc (less dense rock). You may be able to save some by purchasing dry base-rock also and seeding as described above.

11/30/2009, 09:58 PM	#6
joel g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: southern ma Posts: 68	I got most of my live rock from craigslist for $3 a lb.

11/30/2009, 10:00 PM	#7
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	my bad...didn't see that it was 30G

11/30/2009, 10:04 PM	#8
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	I got mine for an average of $2.75 ad by being on the lookout for tank teardowns so this was premo rock with coraline obn it already. I did need to get some at the LFS which is why it's 2.75 othewise the tank teardown rock was at $2!

11/30/2009, 10:18 PM	#9
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	don't do it. go through a respected tried and true live rock specialists. My suggestions is marco rock which is a sponsor here on RC. Great cured live rock around $3-4/lb shipped to your door cured. Can't beat that dude.

11/30/2009, 11:15 PM	#10
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	There is something to be said for getting dead rock though.....having the peace of mind you don't have any nasty critters in there that wouldn't want to be there. Thought about it when I got my live rock but decides the benefits outweighed the cons since the bad bugs would probably make into there sooner or later through acquisitions.

11/30/2009, 11:27 PM	#11
leafeater Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 47	DC_40 makes a good point. You don't want any nasty hitchhikers from someone's dirty tank.

11/30/2009, 11:32 PM	#12
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	I bet you the respected rock speacialist have just a good a chance to have nasty criters as somebody else. I'm not talking about the nasty critters that you can see right off (Aiptasia, majorano, bubble algae, etc) but little critters like wild nudibranchs or some of the bad asterinas. I really doubt they put in predatory critters in with the live rock while curing to eradicate them before shipping them out. You have to remember though that some of the best rock might have been right from the ocean shipped here from overseas.

11/30/2009, 11:36 PM	#13
foodog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Alhambra, CA Posts: 170	Thanks so much guys!

11/30/2009, 11:46 PM	#14
aaronnohren Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 89	I got some dry fiji from Bulkreefsupply.com for 2.69 a pound and love it.