live rock purchased online

kreese · 05/05/2011, 02:16 PM

I want to purchase live rock online but am unsure if i need to cure it before putting in my new tank. I have not yet setup the tank completely, i have all my parts together but yet to put water sand and rock in any advice?

Dyzio545 · 05/05/2011, 02:22 PM

I had "fully cured" live rock shipped over the course of 3 days or so. When it arrived, most of the coraline and such died off, causing ammonia to be very high at the start of my nitrogen cycle. My advice to you would be:

1. Buy live rock from a good online source and make sure the supplier provides overnight shipping to ensure that the live rock actually stays live and you will not have that much die-off

OR

2. Buy Dry rock from BRS and just put in 2 lbs of fully cured rock to seed it. This takes a bit longer, but at the end you don't have problems such as hitchhikers or other pesticides.

kreese · 05/05/2011, 02:36 PM

The reason i want to purchase online is that my local store price is like 12.99 per pound for prem and 6.99 for standard but it looks the same i say rip off i need about 80 lbs of rock will this be cheaper online

Dyzio545 · 05/05/2011, 02:40 PM

Yeah, so you can order online. I would say option 2, because when you go to an LFS and get fully cured LR, the rock is water saturated, so you pay for more weight than the rock itself really is. That's another advantage of dry rock. You really get your moneys worth here. It's also much easier to work with in aquascaping.

Just2Many · 05/05/2011, 05:47 PM

Most definitely recycling process will happen!

The rock dies off a little bit in shipping. Just rinse it off with some water change water then place it in and wait!!!!
Then test, test, and test again!

duncantse · 05/05/2011, 06:03 PM

I say screw LR and buy 75% dry rock. This way, it is much cheaper.

Lynnmw1208 · 05/05/2011, 06:13 PM

I would order online as well. if your tank isn't set up yet, I'd get it set up and then this way you can cycle with the rock in it. I have seen a couple people use live rock from tampa bay saltwater and it looks awesome! They do a 2 part package which seems like a great idea. Plus you get a lot of good hitch hikers. or go with liveaquaria, they have good stuff too.

kreese · 05/05/2011, 07:26 PM

Thanks guys will look into these sites.

HCruzer · 05/06/2011, 05:26 AM

Hello,

I would also suggest you take a look at Macro Rocks as they have some great prices and fast shipping. Also have dry rock packages.

Cheers,
Henry

sjwitt · 05/06/2011, 05:33 AM

Agree with most posting here. Use 'dry' rock and build up the majority of the structure and then "invest" in a couple of pieces of good live rock to seed the tank. TRUST me the critters will multiply while you cycle the tank. People seem to think of the tank cycle as a bad time but honestly you are giving the little critters of the rocks time to multiply without predation. If you do that, you'll have a very strong foundation for the tank's ecosystem. Maybe if more think of it this way, cycle time would be easier to endure.

Oh, and don't fall for the whole "live sand" thing. The sand is not live it's just wet. Do yourself a favor and buy regular play sand, rinse it (takes a LOT of rinsing) until water runs clear, put it in the tank at beginning of the cycle, and get some 'seed sand' from a local reefer who has an established tank. I also bought some Cheato online and it came with some cool little critters in it.

ryeguyy84 · 05/06/2011, 08:46 AM

I bought LR from live aquaria, shipped next day air it was still only around $3 a pound for Figi. there was some re-cycling though, about a months worth in a Rubbermaid container. Got some cool fan worms in the rock though, not sure how they survived.

kmasonbx · 05/06/2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kreese

The reason i want to purchase online is that my local store price is like 12.99 per pound for prem and 6.99 for standard but it looks the same i say rip off i need about 80 lbs of rock will this be cheaper online

Wow, that's such a rip off, I bought a 12-15lb rock from my LFS for $25. Definitely don't buy live rock from there.

05/05/2011, 02:16 PM	#1
kreese Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 11	live rock purchased online I want to purchase live rock online but am unsure if i need to cure it before putting in my new tank. I have not yet setup the tank completely, i have all my parts together but yet to put water sand and rock in any advice?

05/05/2011, 02:22 PM	#2
Dyzio545 Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 326	I had "fully cured" live rock shipped over the course of 3 days or so. When it arrived, most of the coraline and such died off, causing ammonia to be very high at the start of my nitrogen cycle. My advice to you would be: 1. Buy live rock from a good online source and make sure the supplier provides overnight shipping to ensure that the live rock actually stays live and you will not have that much die-off OR 2. Buy Dry rock from BRS and just put in 2 lbs of fully cured rock to seed it. This takes a bit longer, but at the end you don't have problems such as hitchhikers or other pesticides. __________________ Tank thread to come soon "Life is gooood" Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

05/05/2011, 02:40 PM	#4
Dyzio545 Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 326	Yeah, so you can order online. I would say option 2, because when you go to an LFS and get fully cured LR, the rock is water saturated, so you pay for more weight than the rock itself really is. That's another advantage of dry rock. You really get your moneys worth here. It's also much easier to work with in aquascaping. __________________ Tank thread to come soon "Life is gooood" Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

05/05/2011, 05:47 PM	#5
Just2Many I love Saltwater! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tallmadge, Ohio Posts: 1,063	Most definitely recycling process will happen! The rock dies off a little bit in shipping. Just rinse it off with some water change water then place it in and wait!!!! Then test, test, and test again! __________________ "Quality only happens when you care enough to do your best." Current Tank Info: Small Ocean

05/05/2011, 06:13 PM	#7
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	I would order online as well. if your tank isn't set up yet, I'd get it set up and then this way you can cycle with the rock in it. I have seen a couple people use live rock from tampa bay saltwater and it looks awesome! They do a 2 part package which seems like a great idea. Plus you get a lot of good hitch hikers. or go with liveaquaria, they have good stuff too. __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

05/05/2011, 02:36 PM	#3
kreese Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 11	The reason i want to purchase online is that my local store price is like 12.99 per pound for prem and 6.99 for standard but it looks the same i say rip off i need about 80 lbs of rock will this be cheaper online

05/05/2011, 06:03 PM	#6
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	I say screw LR and buy 75% dry rock. This way, it is much cheaper.

05/05/2011, 07:26 PM	#8
kreese Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 11	Thanks guys will look into these sites.

05/06/2011, 05:26 AM	#9
HCruzer Moved On Join Date: May 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 39	Hello, I would also suggest you take a look at Macro Rocks as they have some great prices and fast shipping. Also have dry rock packages. Cheers, Henry

05/06/2011, 05:33 AM	#10
sjwitt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA, East Coast Posts: 896	Agree with most posting here. Use 'dry' rock and build up the majority of the structure and then "invest" in a couple of pieces of good live rock to seed the tank. TRUST me the critters will multiply while you cycle the tank. People seem to think of the tank cycle as a bad time but honestly you are giving the little critters of the rocks time to multiply without predation. If you do that, you'll have a very strong foundation for the tank's ecosystem. Maybe if more think of it this way, cycle time would be easier to endure. Oh, and don't fall for the whole "live sand" thing. The sand is not live it's just wet. Do yourself a favor and buy regular play sand, rinse it (takes a LOT of rinsing) until water runs clear, put it in the tank at beginning of the cycle, and get some 'seed sand' from a local reefer who has an established tank. I also bought some Cheato online and it came with some cool little critters in it.

05/06/2011, 08:46 AM	#11
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I bought LR from live aquaria, shipped next day air it was still only around $3 a pound for Figi. there was some re-cycling though, about a months worth in a Rubbermaid container. Got some cool fan worms in the rock though, not sure how they survived.

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