? about Live Rock for New Setup

scashman · 06/14/2008, 03:24 PM

I'm setting up a new tank and am weighing purchasing LR online or from LFS/local reefer. Can anyone help with the pros/cons of each as far as cycling, hitchikers, etc? Thanks.

abulgin · 06/14/2008, 03:33 PM

Unless you buy Florida aquacultured rock, the rock you buy at the LFS is basically going to be the same as the stuff you buy online. It's sitting in a tub of water for weeks, and there won't be much coralline algae, macro algae or interesting corals, but it will have lots of bristle worms and pods, which are good for the tank. The primary benefit of buying from your LFS is that it will be "fully cured", which means you can drop it in your tank and any cycle will/should be minimal. In fact, when I started my tank I used 90lbs of cured live rock that I bought from my LFS, and I never had a cycle. I was able to add fish the next week. If you buy from an on-line vendor, you will need to cure it--even if you buy "cured", as it will have die-off during transit. If you're willing to cure the rock yourself, you can save a ton of money. For example, "cured" Fiji LR from my LFS is $5.99/lb. I've heard very good things about PacificEast Aquaculture, Inc. and they have premium Fiji for $2.99 per pound. I don't know how big your tank is, but figure that's a savings of $3 per gallon (if you stock 1lb per gallon). http://www.drmaccorals.com/ShowProdu...x?CategoryId=5

neuwave · 07/08/2008, 01:19 PM

what do u guys think I jus talked to these guys across the state which the diver bill of livereefnrock said he'll ship the rock out overnight it freight for the fastest shipping possible. Which means "he calcualted it out = 5 hours from the ocean to my tank". So bare minimum die-off. If it wasn't for my job i would just drive there myself but cant. Worth a try?

neuwave · 07/08/2008, 01:22 PM

It is florida rock. Like abulgin said it might have less die-off. if i decide to order i'll post some pics to give ya an idea.

sqreef52 · 07/08/2008, 01:28 PM

if money isn't an issue, then definitely get it at the lfs. if it is, definitely check out craigslist, they always have live rock for sale. be patient and you'll find a good price. i got 30 lbs of live rock for $50...and it had a ton of corraline algae on it and some button polyps

06/14/2008, 03:24 PM	#1
scashman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OKC Posts: 97	? about Live Rock for New Setup I'm setting up a new tank and am weighing purchasing LR online or from LFS/local reefer. Can anyone help with the pros/cons of each as far as cycling, hitchikers, etc? Thanks.

06/14/2008, 03:33 PM	#2
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	Unless you buy Florida aquacultured rock, the rock you buy at the LFS is basically going to be the same as the stuff you buy online. It's sitting in a tub of water for weeks, and there won't be much coralline algae, macro algae or interesting corals, but it will have lots of bristle worms and pods, which are good for the tank. The primary benefit of buying from your LFS is that it will be "fully cured", which means you can drop it in your tank and any cycle will/should be minimal. In fact, when I started my tank I used 90lbs of cured live rock that I bought from my LFS, and I never had a cycle. I was able to add fish the next week. If you buy from an on-line vendor, you will need to cure it--even if you buy "cured", as it will have die-off during transit. If you're willing to cure the rock yourself, you can save a ton of money. For example, "cured" Fiji LR from my LFS is $5.99/lb. I've heard very good things about PacificEast Aquaculture, Inc. and they have premium Fiji for $2.99 per pound. I don't know how big your tank is, but figure that's a savings of $3 per gallon (if you stock 1lb per gallon). http://www.drmaccorals.com/ShowProdu...x?CategoryId=5

07/08/2008, 01:19 PM	#3
neuwave Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 87	what do u guys think I jus talked to these guys across the state which the diver bill of livereefnrock said he'll ship the rock out overnight it freight for the fastest shipping possible. Which means "he calcualted it out = 5 hours from the ocean to my tank". So bare minimum die-off. If it wasn't for my job i would just drive there myself but cant. Worth a try?

07/08/2008, 01:22 PM	#4
neuwave Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 87	It is florida rock. Like abulgin said it might have less die-off. if i decide to order i'll post some pics to give ya an idea.

07/08/2008, 01:28 PM	#5
sqreef52 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: sacramento Posts: 64	if money isn't an issue, then definitely get it at the lfs. if it is, definitely check out craigslist, they always have live rock for sale. be patient and you'll find a good price. i got 30 lbs of live rock for $50...and it had a ton of corraline algae on it and some button polyps