Best place to get live rock?

Thekingy · 02/05/2010, 05:04 PM

Where is the best place to get Live Rock other then the lfs? any good websites with decent prices and nice rock? If anyone knows of any please let me know. Im only looking for about 20 lbs for my 35 gallon hex and ill be adding about another 10-15lbs of dead rock. Thanks

rob.mwpropane · 02/05/2010, 05:17 PM

I obtained the best of mine from Dr. MAC and Sons, or East Coast Aquaculture. Great customer service. At first it seemed to just have nice corraline algae, but then it came to life.5.99 lb. Thatfishplace has ok stuff at 4.99 lb. That's really the only places I have experiance with outside of lfs. I see many like Dr foster and smith, and I've read that they stand behind what they sell. You might be better to look on Craigslist or the different forums and get some really nice established stuff, but thats a 50/50 shot. I don't think I'll ever buy from lfs unless something really catches my eye. Just to expensive.

Indymann99 · 02/05/2010, 05:19 PM

Premium Aquatics in Indianapolis. (Google search for address).

They have great rock and all sorts of other stuff.

The are primarily mail order but they do have walk in hours Fri 4-6pm and Sat noon - 4pm.

Depending on where in Ohio you are, might be worth the drive.. They have 4 large (30 ft) pools of different rock and you can pick your own.

I am going tomorrow for some livestock. Pending how much snow we get.

Chiefsurfer · 02/05/2010, 05:24 PM

I got mine from TampaBaySaltwater. Great customer service, good price, REAL nice looking rock, although it might come with some nasties.

Madratter · 02/05/2010, 05:28 PM

Depends on what you are looking for. Some of us love Tampa Bay Saltwater's live rock. It is aquacultured in the Gulf. Unlike most live rock, it isn't cured, and is shipped in water to preserve the life that is in it. That is both the good and the bad part. That means that a lot of life, both good (tunicates, sponges, porcelain crabs, various worms, etc.) and bad (gorilla crabs, mantis shrimp, etc.) is there. You then need to take the time to trap, net, etc. the bad stuff you don't want. Personally, I think it is well worth it and I love the rock I got. Richard, the owner is also a great guy to deal with. Just be aware, that he can't always answer instantly as he is a one man operation and may be out diving. Also, this time of year, you might have to wait for weather to clear so he can go out on the boat and get the rock for your order. Drop by the Tampa Bay Saltwater forum if you want more info and to chat with Richard about what you want. Of course you can also e-mail him.

rob.mwpropane · 02/05/2010, 06:15 PM

Were you guys that got tampabaysaltwater rock satisfied with its makeup? Was it porous or dense? I would love to get some, but don't want if its dense.

Thekingy · 02/05/2010, 06:18 PM

Thanks all for your info i got a few options here now to check out. I hope to get my Live Rock within a week or so i need to get it into my tank to get things going.

Chiefsurfer · 02/05/2010, 06:42 PM

The TBSaltwater rock SEEMS very pourous. I really don't have much to compare it to, as this is my first tank, and I really have nothing to compare against. That being said, if you want, my build thread, and pics of my tank(in the NTOTM for march) are in the nano forum. The pics from my build thread are all 40 lbs. MY entry for the NTOTM is about 37lbs +the one rock with all the zoos on it, maybe 43 lbs. I got the one piece of rock of zoos from another member here, and it seemed a little heavier, or VERY similar to the TBSaltwater rock. What I like about the TBSaltwater rock is that it has a TON of life on it, I mean TON(as stated, both good and bad). It comes shipped in water, so you really don't have too much die-off, and 99% of the life comes alive. Lastly, it has some fantastic shapes to it. Richard hand-picked TONS of rock from all around the world. Then he dumped it all in the ocean, and a lot of times you get it only a few days out of the ocean. The shapes, caves, etc are FANTASTIC. some of the nicest shaped rock I have seen in ANY photos.

pilotguy · 02/05/2010, 06:48 PM

there is a place in upstate new york called finger lkaes live rock
www.fingerlakesliverock.com

2.99/lb if you buy 50

no idea of the quality have never bought any from them but it says it is premium figi. feel free to get in touch with them

Engine8ff · 02/05/2010, 06:55 PM

Keep an eye on craigslist.com also for someone getting out of the hobby. I got a bunch of mine from Tampa Bay and a bunch more from a person that was getting out. Both great rock.

KJHLCH · 02/05/2010, 07:03 PM

+1 for premiumaquatics.com. I got my live rock there and it was awesome.

Thekingy · 02/05/2010, 07:29 PM

Thanks everyone this is great info, should i run my Protein Skimmer the day i put my Live Rock in the tank or can i wait a little bit to get a skimmer ?

undrtkr_00 · 02/05/2010, 07:35 PM

You can wait. I've had my tank running close to 3 years with no skimmer, so it must not be an emergency!

steelcity · 02/05/2010, 07:42 PM

I'd go with Richard at Tampa Bay. You can call/email him and tell him what size rocks you're looking for. Flatter pieces for over hangs or larger ones with a swim thru or two.

Chiefsurfer · 02/05/2010, 09:38 PM

^+1 about shapes and sizes.

skimmer is not necessary to run during the cycle, but nor is it necessary to run at all. I have run mine the morning after I put the rock in. I did however run it wet, and with the drain back into the tank for the first few days to let my skimmer break in.

roneil · 02/05/2010, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine8ff

Keep an eye on craigslist.com also for someone getting out of the hobby. I got a bunch of mine from Tampa Bay and a bunch more from a person that was getting out. Both great rock.

+ 1 for craigslist

miztahphong2 · 02/06/2010, 01:06 AM

tampabaysaltwater has really good live rock with plenty of life. every batch ive seen anywhere has had plenty of life. such as crabs, shrimp, tube worms. not to mention the color and all the macroalgae and sponges. its unbelievable looking!

02/05/2010, 05:04 PM	#1
Thekingy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 812	Best place to get live rock? Where is the best place to get Live Rock other then the lfs? any good websites with decent prices and nice rock? If anyone knows of any please let me know. Im only looking for about 20 lbs for my 35 gallon hex and ill be adding about another 10-15lbs of dead rock. Thanks

02/05/2010, 05:19 PM	#3
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Premium Aquatics in Indianapolis. (Google search for address). They have great rock and all sorts of other stuff. The are primarily mail order but they do have walk in hours Fri 4-6pm and Sat noon - 4pm. Depending on where in Ohio you are, might be worth the drive.. They have 4 large (30 ft) pools of different rock and you can pick your own. I am going tomorrow for some livestock. Pending how much snow we get. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

02/05/2010, 05:24 PM	#4
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I got mine from TampaBaySaltwater. Great customer service, good price, REAL nice looking rock, although it might come with some nasties. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/05/2010, 06:42 PM	#8
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	The TBSaltwater rock SEEMS very pourous. I really don't have much to compare it to, as this is my first tank, and I really have nothing to compare against. That being said, if you want, my build thread, and pics of my tank(in the NTOTM for march) are in the nano forum. The pics from my build thread are all 40 lbs. MY entry for the NTOTM is about 37lbs +the one rock with all the zoos on it, maybe 43 lbs. I got the one piece of rock of zoos from another member here, and it seemed a little heavier, or VERY similar to the TBSaltwater rock. What I like about the TBSaltwater rock is that it has a TON of life on it, I mean TON(as stated, both good and bad). It comes shipped in water, so you really don't have too much die-off, and 99% of the life comes alive. Lastly, it has some fantastic shapes to it. Richard hand-picked TONS of rock from all around the world. Then he dumped it all in the ocean, and a lot of times you get it only a few days out of the ocean. The shapes, caves, etc are FANTASTIC. some of the nicest shaped rock I have seen in ANY photos. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/05/2010, 06:55 PM	#10
Engine8ff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hertford, NC Posts: 400	Keep an eye on craigslist.com also for someone getting out of the hobby. I got a bunch of mine from Tampa Bay and a bunch more from a person that was getting out. Both great rock. __________________ Back at it with a 150DD setting up with Apex, Octo, Mag Drive, BRS, MH and T5 and all the other cool stuff.

02/05/2010, 05:17 PM	#2
rob.mwpropane Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 371	I obtained the best of mine from Dr. MAC and Sons, or East Coast Aquaculture. Great customer service. At first it seemed to just have nice corraline algae, but then it came to life.5.99 lb. Thatfishplace has ok stuff at 4.99 lb. That's really the only places I have experiance with outside of lfs. I see many like Dr foster and smith, and I've read that they stand behind what they sell. You might be better to look on Craigslist or the different forums and get some really nice established stuff, but thats a 50/50 shot. I don't think I'll ever buy from lfs unless something really catches my eye. Just to expensive.

02/05/2010, 05:28 PM	#5
Madratter Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 223	Depends on what you are looking for. Some of us love Tampa Bay Saltwater's live rock. It is aquacultured in the Gulf. Unlike most live rock, it isn't cured, and is shipped in water to preserve the life that is in it. That is both the good and the bad part. That means that a lot of life, both good (tunicates, sponges, porcelain crabs, various worms, etc.) and bad (gorilla crabs, mantis shrimp, etc.) is there. You then need to take the time to trap, net, etc. the bad stuff you don't want. Personally, I think it is well worth it and I love the rock I got. Richard, the owner is also a great guy to deal with. Just be aware, that he can't always answer instantly as he is a one man operation and may be out diving. Also, this time of year, you might have to wait for weather to clear so he can go out on the boat and get the rock for your order. Drop by the Tampa Bay Saltwater forum if you want more info and to chat with Richard about what you want. Of course you can also e-mail him.

02/05/2010, 06:15 PM	#6
rob.mwpropane Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 371	Were you guys that got tampabaysaltwater rock satisfied with its makeup? Was it porous or dense? I would love to get some, but don't want if its dense.

02/05/2010, 06:18 PM	#7
Thekingy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 812	Thanks all for your info i got a few options here now to check out. I hope to get my Live Rock within a week or so i need to get it into my tank to get things going.

02/05/2010, 06:48 PM	#9
pilotguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 445	there is a place in upstate new york called finger lkaes live rock www.fingerlakesliverock.com 2.99/lb if you buy 50 no idea of the quality have never bought any from them but it says it is premium figi. feel free to get in touch with them

02/05/2010, 07:03 PM	#11
KJHLCH Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SE INDIANA Posts: 50	+1 for premiumaquatics.com. I got my live rock there and it was awesome.

02/05/2010, 07:29 PM	#12
Thekingy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 812	Thanks everyone this is great info, should i run my Protein Skimmer the day i put my Live Rock in the tank or can i wait a little bit to get a skimmer ?

02/05/2010, 07:35 PM	#13
undrtkr_00 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 50	You can wait. I've had my tank running close to 3 years with no skimmer, so it must not be an emergency!

02/05/2010, 07:42 PM	#14
steelcity Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: tampa, fl Posts: 569	I'd go with Richard at Tampa Bay. You can call/email him and tell him what size rocks you're looking for. Flatter pieces for over hangs or larger ones with a swim thru or two.

02/05/2010, 09:38 PM	#15
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	^+1 about shapes and sizes. skimmer is not necessary to run during the cycle, but nor is it necessary to run at all. I have run mine the morning after I put the rock in. I did however run it wet, and with the drain back into the tank for the first few days to let my skimmer break in. __________________ Chief Current Tank: 20 Gallon tall, 4-bulb t5 HO, Eshopps psk75H, ac-70 fuge. So far, green clown goby, striped goby, more gorillas than I wish I had, 5 SPS frags, 3 LPS Frags, 1 Softee, Turkey Wing Clam. Plan for the future: 120 gallon 4ft glass tank. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tall Reef Tank

02/06/2010, 01:06 AM	#17
miztahphong2 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 53	tampabaysaltwater has really good live rock with plenty of life. every batch ive seen anywhere has had plenty of life. such as crabs, shrimp, tube worms. not to mention the color and all the macroalgae and sponges. its unbelievable looking!