Buying Live Rock online

Foible · 03/16/2008, 03:45 PM

I'm starting to look into buying some fiji live rock for a new 29 possibly 37 gallon tank that I am going to set up in a couple weeks. I ordered 45 pounds of fiji from liveaquaria.com last year for a different 29 gallon and I would say 35 of those pounds came in 3 rocks. This time around I want to get smaller rocks possibly a couple nano packs so I can aqua scape better in a smaller tank. Where should I go online to make an order like this?

Thanks

reefworm · 03/16/2008, 03:48 PM

got mine from premium aquatics and they got me the #s I wanted in the number of pieces I wanted - but my guess is most of the online suppliers RC has as sponsors will do the same. I was very satisfied.

drillsar · 03/16/2008, 04:34 PM

I really would recommend to go to your local LFS, this way you can pick out the rocks. Plus actually would be cheaper for a small tank then online.

rjsilvers · 03/16/2008, 04:36 PM

I ordered a nano pack for my tank from liveaquaria.com. It has some nice pieces, but I would rather have got some from my LFS. The stuff from liveaquaria seemed awful plain with no life to speak of on it.

The box they sent it in (1/8" styrofoam) was also broken to bits and the water they packed it with had all drained out. It was a stinky, soggy mess when it arrived.

Capt. Nemo · 03/16/2008, 04:38 PM

Premium Aquatics has great LR. I've purchased LR from them on 2 occassions and couldnt be happier with the quality of the rock and customer service.

reefworm · 03/16/2008, 04:42 PM

I would agree that you save a good bit on shipping if you buy local and have more choice of rock pieces, but that presumes there IS an LFS nearby, and that said LFS has decent rock.

Foible · 03/16/2008, 04:59 PM

I've already checked with my LFS and Craigslist and was unimpressed with the quality and prices. My LFS wants almost 8 bucks per a pound! I have pretty much decided to go online to buy Live Rock I just need to decide where from. I have heard alot about premium aquatics. How do you personalize those orders? Do I have to call or do I type my preference when I checkout?

suzimcmullen · 03/16/2008, 05:01 PM

My local LFS do not have much to choose from. One of them has rock that is the same exact specks as what I bought from petco. It was cheaper from petco before shipping, but the same with it. Another store also has the cheap, uncured boring rock and they are way too expensive. They charge 9.99 per pound for empty plain rock with no coralline growth. But the LFS that started me off too fast does carry some nice pieces. His are all huge though. They have great hitchhikers but are also 9.99 per pound. They are mature though and covered with coralline.

I think I want to find one of the deals I've seen online where a few hundred pounds is bought for just a couple bucks per pound plus shipping. Then I'll throw them in some rubbermaids and forget them for months on end. I'll buy some cool clean up crew and stuff to put in and see if any of it reproduces. If I decide to do a big tank at some point I'll have it ready. And if I don't I'll sell it.

Suzi

drillsar · 03/16/2008, 05:03 PM

Lets do the math, $8 x 30lbs = $240.00. I dont think you will get 30lbs of Decent rock that fits a nano tank for cheaper than that.

suzimcmullen · 03/16/2008, 05:21 PM

I guess it all depends on the sale. Apparently I just missed someone getting out of the business selling cycled rock for 3 dollars per pound.

I need to put some money aside and find a way to start buying up peoples equipment and used stuff when they get out of the hobby. I could fill up my basement and build up the systems to sell as complete systems for more. Hey, I have nothing but time.

Suzi

Foible · 03/16/2008, 05:24 PM

Actually in my case buying live rock online + the money they charge you for shipping is still cheaper than a pound of live rock from my LFS. I have pretty much made up my mind to go online. I'll check out this premium aquatics. Are there any other good online stores?

cdbias2 · 03/16/2008, 05:27 PM

Have you considered the Marco rocks?

Foible · 03/16/2008, 05:32 PM

I've looked at the site, isn't it pretty much just base rock?

reefworm · 03/16/2008, 05:40 PM

I paid less than 200 for 45# shipped from PA. Type your preferences in when you check out.

cdbias2 · 03/16/2008, 05:53 PM

I just cant call that stuff base rock. It's too nice. Seeding rock is the easiest thing to do in this hobby.
People do claim that it comes dirty and some even pressure wash it before trying to cycle it.
They sell three kinds. The rave reviews are from the Fuji premium.

drillsar · 03/16/2008, 06:04 PM

Marco Rocks is good.

suzimcmullen · 03/16/2008, 06:20 PM

My husband asked me about making rock out of cement. I know I read about that on here. I wonder if it saves money in the long haul or not?

Suzi

Foible · 03/16/2008, 09:59 PM

Thanks for the responses I'll probably go with PA after hearing all the good stuff about them.

serum153 · 03/16/2008, 10:30 PM

This thread shows the rock that I got from Live Aquaria. I don't know how a nano pack ended up so bad as that same styrofoam container held up perfect with 45# of rock inside it. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1330351

lloydkeller · 03/17/2008, 11:07 AM

I always buy mine local im lucky to be able to sort through looking for the exact one i need i pay 5.99-6.99 a pound depending what type but I always know what im getting

03/16/2008, 03:45 PM	#1
Foible Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 69	Buying Live Rock online I'm starting to look into buying some fiji live rock for a new 29 possibly 37 gallon tank that I am going to set up in a couple weeks. I ordered 45 pounds of fiji from liveaquaria.com last year for a different 29 gallon and I would say 35 of those pounds came in 3 rocks. This time around I want to get smaller rocks possibly a couple nano packs so I can aqua scape better in a smaller tank. Where should I go online to make an order like this? Thanks

03/16/2008, 03:48 PM	#2
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	got mine from premium aquatics and they got me the #s I wanted in the number of pieces I wanted - but my guess is most of the online suppliers RC has as sponsors will do the same. I was very satisfied. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

03/16/2008, 04:42 PM	#6
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	I would agree that you save a good bit on shipping if you buy local and have more choice of rock pieces, but that presumes there IS an LFS nearby, and that said LFS has decent rock. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

03/16/2008, 05:40 PM	#14
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	I paid less than 200 for 45# shipped from PA. Type your preferences in when you check out. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

03/16/2008, 04:34 PM	#3
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	I really would recommend to go to your local LFS, this way you can pick out the rocks. Plus actually would be cheaper for a small tank then online.

03/16/2008, 04:36 PM	#4
rjsilvers Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 537	I ordered a nano pack for my tank from liveaquaria.com. It has some nice pieces, but I would rather have got some from my LFS. The stuff from liveaquaria seemed awful plain with no life to speak of on it. The box they sent it in (1/8" styrofoam) was also broken to bits and the water they packed it with had all drained out. It was a stinky, soggy mess when it arrived.

03/16/2008, 04:38 PM	#5
Capt. Nemo Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,102	Premium Aquatics has great LR. I've purchased LR from them on 2 occassions and couldnt be happier with the quality of the rock and customer service.

03/16/2008, 04:59 PM	#7
Foible Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 69	I've already checked with my LFS and Craigslist and was unimpressed with the quality and prices. My LFS wants almost 8 bucks per a pound! I have pretty much decided to go online to buy Live Rock I just need to decide where from. I have heard alot about premium aquatics. How do you personalize those orders? Do I have to call or do I type my preference when I checkout?

03/16/2008, 05:01 PM	#8
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	My local LFS do not have much to choose from. One of them has rock that is the same exact specks as what I bought from petco. It was cheaper from petco before shipping, but the same with it. Another store also has the cheap, uncured boring rock and they are way too expensive. They charge 9.99 per pound for empty plain rock with no coralline growth. But the LFS that started me off too fast does carry some nice pieces. His are all huge though. They have great hitchhikers but are also 9.99 per pound. They are mature though and covered with coralline. I think I want to find one of the deals I've seen online where a few hundred pounds is bought for just a couple bucks per pound plus shipping. Then I'll throw them in some rubbermaids and forget them for months on end. I'll buy some cool clean up crew and stuff to put in and see if any of it reproduces. If I decide to do a big tank at some point I'll have it ready. And if I don't I'll sell it. Suzi

03/16/2008, 05:03 PM	#9
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Lets do the math, $8 x 30lbs = $240.00. I dont think you will get 30lbs of Decent rock that fits a nano tank for cheaper than that.

03/16/2008, 05:21 PM	#10
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	I guess it all depends on the sale. Apparently I just missed someone getting out of the business selling cycled rock for 3 dollars per pound. I need to put some money aside and find a way to start buying up peoples equipment and used stuff when they get out of the hobby. I could fill up my basement and build up the systems to sell as complete systems for more. Hey, I have nothing but time. Suzi

03/16/2008, 05:24 PM	#11
Foible Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 69	Actually in my case buying live rock online + the money they charge you for shipping is still cheaper than a pound of live rock from my LFS. I have pretty much made up my mind to go online. I'll check out this premium aquatics. Are there any other good online stores?

03/16/2008, 05:27 PM	#12
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	Have you considered the Marco rocks?

03/16/2008, 05:32 PM	#13
Foible Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 69	I've looked at the site, isn't it pretty much just base rock?

03/16/2008, 05:53 PM	#15
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	I just cant call that stuff base rock. It's too nice. Seeding rock is the easiest thing to do in this hobby. People do claim that it comes dirty and some even pressure wash it before trying to cycle it. They sell three kinds. The rave reviews are from the Fuji premium.

03/16/2008, 06:04 PM	#16
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Marco Rocks is good.

03/16/2008, 06:20 PM	#17
suzimcmullen Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 890	My husband asked me about making rock out of cement. I know I read about that on here. I wonder if it saves money in the long haul or not? Suzi

03/16/2008, 09:59 PM	#18
Foible Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 69	Thanks for the responses I'll probably go with PA after hearing all the good stuff about them.

03/16/2008, 10:30 PM	#19
serum153 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno Posts: 584	This thread shows the rock that I got from Live Aquaria. I don't know how a nano pack ended up so bad as that same styrofoam container held up perfect with 45# of rock inside it. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1330351

03/17/2008, 11:07 AM	#20
lloydkeller Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ca Posts: 563	I always buy mine local im lucky to be able to sort through looking for the exact one i need i pay 5.99-6.99 a pound depending what type but I always know what im getting