Should I buy Live rock online

Mac1999 · 04/26/2016, 09:17 PM

Hello, I am new to this hobby and was wondering if I should get live rock online
Or if I should go to my lfs. I heard you get more organism if you buy it from an online store thxs.

Ma_reefer · 04/27/2016, 02:25 AM

It's up to you, I personally buy it online because it's higher quality than my lfs has, and less than 1/2 the price.

Dmorty217 · 04/27/2016, 06:42 AM

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...20551593,d.amc

This is the only place to buy actual "live rock " from

JammyBirch · 04/27/2016, 07:31 AM

i think there are a couple of things to consider before making the decision.

1. How comfortable are you with buying rock from a reef that has been destroyed so you can have it in your house?

2. How much of a perfectionist are you about your rock scape?

3. Are you willing to assume the risk of the unwanted hitch hikers that sometimes come with live rock?

4. Do you care how long it would take to seed dry rock?

For me #2 was the concern so I opted for dry rock that i could make how i wanted before hand. Then i bought (1) piece of live rock from the LFS popped it in the tank to get the seed going.

Now it all looks like that first rock even though that piece of live rock is now dry rock in a bucket. I guess it's up to you, i like the dry rock method it's a lot cheaper and i didn't feel bad about busting it when "designing" the scape.

Good luck, there really isn't a preferred or wrong way to do it...you just need to make sure you get out of it what you want.

CafeReef · 04/27/2016, 07:50 AM

http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/

best resource for Live Rock online, Richard is on this forum too.

Dmorty217 · 04/27/2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JammyBirch

i think there are a couple of things to consider before making the decision.

1. How comfortable are you with buying rock from a reef that has been destroyed so you can have it in your house?

2. How much of a perfectionist are you about your rock scape?

3. Are you willing to assume the risk of the unwanted hitch hikers that sometimes come with live rock?

4. Do you care how long it would take to seed dry rock?

For me #2 was the concern so I opted for dry rock that i could make how i wanted before hand. Then i bought (1) piece of live rock from the LFS popped it in the tank to get the seed going.

Now it all looks like that first rock even though that piece of live rock is now dry rock in a bucket. I guess it's up to you, i like the dry rock method it's a lot cheaper and i didn't feel bad about busting it when "designing" the scape.

Good luck, there really isn't a preferred or wrong way to do it...you just need to make sure you get out of it what you want.

#1 is directly related to where you get your rock from

Mac1999 · 04/27/2016, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the answers, also my lfs sells rocks for a little more money but they are good quality but they take all the coral and hitch hikers off, do I order online to get hitchhikers , and if i buy online can I just plop it in my tank thanks

CafeReef · 04/27/2016, 08:54 AM

That's one thing that makes TBS rock really nice. Richard has his own lease out in Tampa Bay, he takes dry rock out and then goes and harvests it after it has had time to seed in his lease.

aka, no reef destroyed.

Mac,

Look at threads by d2mini, He has used TBS rock in his tanks, in particular his previous 200g tank. the life on the rock is unreal.

Mac1999 · 04/27/2016, 08:57 AM

Thx

MarkW64 · 04/27/2016, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac1999

if i buy online can I just plop it in my tank thanks

Usually no you can't. But if you buy from Richard at TBS you can because he ships it underwater so very little die-off. I just received rock from TBS less than two weeks ago. My tank went through a very minimal cycle -- amonnia never went over .2 ppm.
If you want rock covered in growth and full of hitch hikers (sounds like maybe you do, not for everyone but I can't imagine doing it any other way!) it's the way to go. It may seem expensive, but if you order a "package" the rock only costs about 6 dollars a pound including shipping. And that's not calculating in all the hitchhikers and other freebies he sends.
Chech out the Tampa Bay Saltwater sponsor forum for lots of info and photos.

Burtonboy182 · 04/27/2016, 03:16 PM

Get dry rock. Its cheaper so you can get extra so you have more options. Take you time to aquascape it how you want and then maybe get a piece of LR from a friend or LFS

d2mini · 04/27/2016, 03:27 PM

Another vote for TBS!!!!
Best live rock you can get.
Go for The Package and you'll have an instant reef with no cycle and tons of cool critters to watch.

Here's my thread and my trip to see TBS in person!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2#post20575742
Further on in this thread are pics of the rock I ended up taking home.

04/27/2016, 06:42 AM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...20551593,d.amc This is the only place to buy actual "live rock " from __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/27/2016, 07:31 AM	#4
JammyBirch Aquaria Engineering Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,182	i think there are a couple of things to consider before making the decision. 1. How comfortable are you with buying rock from a reef that has been destroyed so you can have it in your house? 2. How much of a perfectionist are you about your rock scape? 3. Are you willing to assume the risk of the unwanted hitch hikers that sometimes come with live rock? 4. Do you care how long it would take to seed dry rock? For me #2 was the concern so I opted for dry rock that i could make how i wanted before hand. Then i bought (1) piece of live rock from the LFS popped it in the tank to get the seed going. Now it all looks like that first rock even though that piece of live rock is now dry rock in a bucket. I guess it's up to you, i like the dry rock method it's a lot cheaper and i didn't feel bad about busting it when "designing" the scape. Good luck, there really isn't a preferred or wrong way to do it...you just need to make sure you get out of it what you want. __________________ 25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube

04/27/2016, 07:50 AM	#5
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	http://www.tampabaysaltwater.com/ best resource for Live Rock online, Richard is on this forum too. __________________ 50 Gallon cube

04/27/2016, 08:54 AM	#8
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	That's one thing that makes TBS rock really nice. Richard has his own lease out in Tampa Bay, he takes dry rock out and then goes and harvests it after it has had time to seed in his lease. aka, no reef destroyed. Mac, Look at threads by d2mini, He has used TBS rock in his tanks, in particular his previous 200g tank. the life on the rock is unreal. __________________ 50 Gallon cube

04/27/2016, 03:27 PM	#12
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Another vote for TBS!!!! Best live rock you can get. Go for The Package and you'll have an instant reef with no cycle and tons of cool critters to watch. Here's my thread and my trip to see TBS in person! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2#post20575742 Further on in this thread are pics of the rock I ended up taking home. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

04/26/2016, 09:17 PM	#1
Mac1999 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 144	Should I buy Live rock online Hello, I am new to this hobby and was wondering if I should get live rock online Or if I should go to my lfs. I heard you get more organism if you buy it from an online store thxs. Last edited by Mac1999; 04/26/2016 at 09:25 PM.

04/27/2016, 02:25 AM	#2
Ma_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 125	It's up to you, I personally buy it online because it's higher quality than my lfs has, and less than 1/2 the price.

04/27/2016, 08:45 AM	#7
Mac1999 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 144	Thanks for the answers, also my lfs sells rocks for a little more money but they are good quality but they take all the coral and hitch hikers off, do I order online to get hitchhikers , and if i buy online can I just plop it in my tank thanks

04/27/2016, 08:57 AM	#9
Mac1999 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 144	Thx

04/27/2016, 03:16 PM	#11
Burtonboy182 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 54	Get dry rock. Its cheaper so you can get extra so you have more options. Take you time to aquascape it how you want and then maybe get a piece of LR from a friend or LFS