Rock from California ocean, go or no go??

dcrowley3 · 09/01/2016, 01:13 PM

I am traveling to California next week for our annual family vacation. I was wondering if I could get a few small pieces of rubble rock from the ocean and use in my tank.

Of course I would clean it, cycle it, and then place in tank.

I thought it would be cool to have some rock in my tank from our favorite family vacation spot.

Feedback please, is it wrong? Would it cause issues?

Thx guys

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

C.Eymann · 09/01/2016, 01:32 PM

I would check with the wildlife/fish and game department and see if what you are wanting to do is lawful without getting a permit. Also some of the surviving critters might not do too well in our toasty reefs.

brett559 · 09/01/2016, 04:50 PM

I'm sure whatever agency controls the land (State/Fed Parks) would not want you to do it. I'm sure anything alive on it will probably die. I'm sure it'll end up just being a piece of rock in your tank.

That being said - it's a freaking ROCK! No shortage of rocks in this world. If you see that rock housing a cool coral one day, and it makes you smile knowing it came from a place you love - have at it, friend!

Do it.

thegrun · 09/01/2016, 06:19 PM

Nearly all of Southern California is a no take zone, so you would have to find one of the few beaches where it would be allowed. I can't speak for NoCal, but I suspect it's the same there. Because our water is so cold, very sew of our organisms willsurvive in a warm water aquarium long term.

davocean · 09/01/2016, 09:43 PM

I was told by a fish and game guy we are allowed to take 2x5g buckets of rock from shore, and I'm not really sure why they allow that.
I asked to do something in my garden and wanted some smooth tumbled beach rock.
I don't think it would look that great in a tank unless it was a local species tank and cold water.

Ron Reefman · 09/02/2016, 04:13 AM

Most tropical tanks need rock with as much surface area as you can get. That's why old coral (now rock) works. I don't know California beaches or water, but I doubt they have rock that will do anything good for your tank.

If it's just a rock as a keepsake (we keep small vials of sand) from your visit, then go for it.

OrionN · 09/02/2016, 04:24 AM

Every beaches I traveled to, I get a small rock and a bit of sand to put into my reef. It is a keepsake thing. The rocks I took were small and dry and a bit of dry sand in a small vile. Won't cause any problem to these beaches or benefit/harm to my tank.
That been said most place prohibit this. The penalty for this in most place are stiff to discourage degradation to their beach.

C.Eymann · 09/02/2016, 05:36 AM

I have too collected and brought stuff back from my families favorite diving location in my early years of reefing pre 9/11, back when it was okay to bring liquids on the plane. I was able to get about 100 blue leg hermits and some sand in a 1gallon water jug stuffed in my backpack. It was a bit nerve racking as a 14 year old when a Belizean customs agent armed with an assault rifle questions what this jug of water, sand and crabs are doing in your backpack, I told him it was for my aquarium and he didn't seem to mind surprisingly. There was a colony of purple porites on one of the piers that I would spear fish under that was really begging to get fragged but I knew better, if a US customs agent caught me with that it could be a bad deal.

Main point, I don't see the harm in a bit of sand and a few crabs, but it's always best to check the laws first or you could face some major penalties.

salty joe · 09/02/2016, 05:38 AM

My guess is that taking a keepsake is allowed.
A few years ago it was allowable to take something like five pounds/per day/ per person of rubble from Hawaiian beaches. I found an absolutely gorgeous old coral head that had been tossed around the surf for who knows how long. It weighs at least 25 pounds. The lady running the conveyor in Kauai called her boss over. He smiled and waved me through. It's the centerpiece rock in my tank.

skiingfast · 09/02/2016, 12:27 PM

I live near lots of federal land. In the National Parks you can't take anything. In National Forests you can take anything in small amounts or get a cheap permit to remove lots.

It depends on the rules of the location.

I wouldn't suggest going to California for live rock or sand because the water is 20 degrees colder than at reef so what you hope for won't survive.

But if you just need dry sand that could be ok for your tank if allowed.

Keep in mind if something is very adaptable, it could take over your tank. Think of that like weeds in your yard.

09/01/2016, 01:13 PM	#1
dcrowley3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 52	Rock from California ocean, go or no go?? I am traveling to California next week for our annual family vacation. I was wondering if I could get a few small pieces of rubble rock from the ocean and use in my tank. Of course I would clean it, cycle it, and then place in tank. I thought it would be cool to have some rock in my tank from our favorite family vacation spot. Feedback please, is it wrong? Would it cause issues? Thx guys Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

09/01/2016, 01:32 PM	#2
C.Eymann Cnidaria lover Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Winterpark FL Posts: 1,483	I would check with the wildlife/fish and game department and see if what you are wanting to do is lawful without getting a permit. Also some of the surviving critters might not do too well in our toasty reefs. __________________ "I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 80gal build in the works

09/01/2016, 09:43 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I was told by a fish and game guy we are allowed to take 2x5g buckets of rock from shore, and I'm not really sure why they allow that. I asked to do something in my garden and wanted some smooth tumbled beach rock. I don't think it would look that great in a tank unless it was a local species tank and cold water. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

09/02/2016, 04:13 AM	#6
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Most tropical tanks need rock with as much surface area as you can get. That's why old coral (now rock) works. I don't know California beaches or water, but I doubt they have rock that will do anything good for your tank. If it's just a rock as a keepsake (we keep small vials of sand) from your visit, then go for it. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

09/02/2016, 04:24 AM	#7
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Every beaches I traveled to, I get a small rock and a bit of sand to put into my reef. It is a keepsake thing. The rocks I took were small and dry and a bit of dry sand in a small vile. Won't cause any problem to these beaches or benefit/harm to my tank. That been said most place prohibit this. The penalty for this in most place are stiff to discourage degradation to their beach. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

09/01/2016, 04:50 PM	#3
brett559 In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 1,790	I'm sure whatever agency controls the land (State/Fed Parks) would not want you to do it. I'm sure anything alive on it will probably die. I'm sure it'll end up just being a piece of rock in your tank. That being said - it's a freaking ROCK! No shortage of rocks in this world. If you see that rock housing a cool coral one day, and it makes you smile knowing it came from a place you love - have at it, friend! Do it.

09/01/2016, 06:19 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Nearly all of Southern California is a no take zone, so you would have to find one of the few beaches where it would be allowed. I can't speak for NoCal, but I suspect it's the same there. Because our water is so cold, very sew of our organisms willsurvive in a warm water aquarium long term.

09/02/2016, 05:36 AM	#8
C.Eymann Cnidaria lover Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Winterpark FL Posts: 1,483	I have too collected and brought stuff back from my families favorite diving location in my early years of reefing pre 9/11, back when it was okay to bring liquids on the plane. I was able to get about 100 blue leg hermits and some sand in a 1gallon water jug stuffed in my backpack. It was a bit nerve racking as a 14 year old when a Belizean customs agent armed with an assault rifle questions what this jug of water, sand and crabs are doing in your backpack, I told him it was for my aquarium and he didn't seem to mind surprisingly. There was a colony of purple porites on one of the piers that I would spear fish under that was really begging to get fragged but I knew better, if a US customs agent caught me with that it could be a bad deal. Main point, I don't see the harm in a bit of sand and a few crabs, but it's always best to check the laws first or you could face some major penalties. __________________ "I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 80gal build in the works

09/02/2016, 05:38 AM	#9
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	My guess is that taking a keepsake is allowed. A few years ago it was allowable to take something like five pounds/per day/ per person of rubble from Hawaiian beaches. I found an absolutely gorgeous old coral head that had been tossed around the surf for who knows how long. It weighs at least 25 pounds. The lady running the conveyor in Kauai called her boss over. He smiled and waved me through. It's the centerpiece rock in my tank. __________________ Time to roll the dice.

09/02/2016, 12:27 PM	#10
skiingfast Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 217	I live near lots of federal land. In the National Parks you can't take anything. In National Forests you can take anything in small amounts or get a cheap permit to remove lots. It depends on the rules of the location. I wouldn't suggest going to California for live rock or sand because the water is 20 degrees colder than at reef so what you hope for won't survive. But if you just need dry sand that could be ok for your tank if allowed. Keep in mind if something is very adaptable, it could take over your tank. Think of that like weeds in your yard.