What to look for when buying live rock?

floydie83 · 02/22/2010, 09:38 AM

I'm looking at buying some live rock from a person who is taking down their tank.

I know she said it is rock from Florida, but what should I look for when if I go buy it?

Thanks,
Matt

thegrun · 02/22/2010, 09:46 AM

In general, look for pests (hair algae, aiptasia anemones, majano anemones etc.) that you do not want to have to battle with. It is also a good idea to test the water for phosphates. If the phosphate levels are high, the rock will absorb it and you will likely have issues with keep your phosphate levels down once you set up the tank. In general, I prefer light porous rock that will maximize the surface area for bacteria and a generally appealing appearance.

Mish1 · 02/22/2010, 10:01 AM

It may sound simple but I recommend smelling the rock. If it smells rotten then I would avoid it.

ReefiusMaxiumus · 02/22/2010, 10:35 AM

Don't forget to think about how the rock shapes will fit into your planned rock structure. If you pick out unique pieces you should be able to make some cool structures.

CJO · 02/22/2010, 11:25 AM

Another thing to check for is copper. If they ever treated their fish in the tank, the rock will absorb some of the copper. This isn't too bad if you are just doing FOWLR, but will kill any corals you may want/have.

CJ

brubinfeld · 02/22/2010, 12:16 PM

i would buy only froma trusted source and then scurbbed down let it dry for a couple of weeks and then added to your system slowly as this is the only safe way how to add live rock without having problems

floydie83 · 02/22/2010, 12:47 PM

Are you in the Detroit area? Do you know a good place to get good live rock reasonably? After reading these comments I am kind of shying away from buying from someone I don't know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by brubinfeld

i would buy only froma trusted source and then scurbbed down let it dry for a couple of weeks and then added to your system slowly as this is the only safe way how to add live rock without having problems

wooden_reefer · 02/22/2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mish1

It may sound simple but I recommend smelling the rock. If it smells rotten then I would avoid it.

Why?

wooden_reefer · 02/22/2010, 12:51 PM

It depends on what you want the LR to do, what you want it for.

If you want it as a source of misc livestock, you look for LR with the best growth, and place it in a tank with medium that has been already cycled very well.

If you want LR as the medium of filtration, you can cycle from rock that has already lost most higher lives on it (cured).

Mish1 · 02/22/2010, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooden_reefer

Why?

Just my experience but when buying LR from LFS I have found sometimes it smells rotten which means lots of die off is occuring. Not really something you want to put in your tank and if you do you will need to scrub it and most likely kill anything living that is remaining.

The best live rock I have had experience with has that fresh ocean smell which to me is a good indicator of quality.

wooden_reefer · 02/22/2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mish1

Just my experience but when buying LR from LFS I have found sometimes it smells rotten which means lots of die off is occuring. Not really something you want to put in your tank and if you do you will need to scrub it and most likely kill anything living that is remaining.

The best live rock I have had experience with has that fresh ocean smell which to me is a good indicator of quality.

It depends on what you want the LR for.

You don't necessarily regard dieoff as unwanted.

wicz101 · 06/26/2011, 02:53 PM

I have a bunch of old live rock, that is sun bleached. Any recommendations on what my next step should be w/ it?

02/22/2010, 09:38 AM	#1
floydie83 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Lawrence, KS Posts: 287	What to look for when buying live rock? I'm looking at buying some live rock from a person who is taking down their tank. I know she said it is rock from Florida, but what should I look for when if I go buy it? Thanks, Matt

02/22/2010, 09:46 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	In general, look for pests (hair algae, aiptasia anemones, majano anemones etc.) that you do not want to have to battle with. It is also a good idea to test the water for phosphates. If the phosphate levels are high, the rock will absorb it and you will likely have issues with keep your phosphate levels down once you set up the tank. In general, I prefer light porous rock that will maximize the surface area for bacteria and a generally appealing appearance.

02/22/2010, 10:01 AM	#3
Mish1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 169	It may sound simple but I recommend smelling the rock. If it smells rotten then I would avoid it.

02/22/2010, 10:35 AM	#4
ReefiusMaxiumus Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 79	Don't forget to think about how the rock shapes will fit into your planned rock structure. If you pick out unique pieces you should be able to make some cool structures.

02/22/2010, 11:25 AM	#5
CJO Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 578	Another thing to check for is copper. If they ever treated their fish in the tank, the rock will absorb some of the copper. This isn't too bad if you are just doing FOWLR, but will kill any corals you may want/have. CJ

02/22/2010, 12:16 PM	#6
brubinfeld Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southfield Posts: 55	i would buy only froma trusted source and then scurbbed down let it dry for a couple of weeks and then added to your system slowly as this is the only safe way how to add live rock without having problems

02/22/2010, 12:51 PM	#9
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	It depends on what you want the LR to do, what you want it for. If you want it as a source of misc livestock, you look for LR with the best growth, and place it in a tank with medium that has been already cycled very well. If you want LR as the medium of filtration, you can cycle from rock that has already lost most higher lives on it (cured).

06/26/2011, 02:53 PM	#12
wicz101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 250	I have a bunch of old live rock, that is sun bleached. Any recommendations on what my next step should be w/ it?