LFS Live Rock Prices

[Pandora]

They're obviously going up, but some of it is getting out of hand, which is why many are turning to online sources or buying it secondhand nowadays. Just curious how much newbies are seeing it sold for at their LFS (Local Fish Store). Do NOT include how much you have seen private hobbyists and online dealers charge, brick and mortar only. You can select more than one option if there is more than one LFS close to you.

If you are in the >$10/lb category, please post where you are! I know Canada & overseas, this is where it's at.

 

[ant276]

Delray Beach - South Florida. 8-9 for me. By the time I need rock again I'm sure it'll be more. It's a lot cheaper for the rubble though. ~5

Tony

 

[cato]

Depends what he has from time to time. Pretty much $8-$10/lb depending on quanity you buy. I'm finding that my LFS is pretty much overpriced on almost everything though. Bought a 200g bucket Oceanic salt for $80 then saw it at DFS for $39/bucket and only $5 S&H so I ordered 2 due here Fri.

 

[Clayman]

Here in Canada it ranges in our city from $8 to $10 CAD for premium rock.( Which I think is not too bad, SOME is really nice stuff ) I got mine for 7$ because I got before my LFS had put it in his tanks. ( Also got first dibbs on the good stuff )

 

[Paintbug]

here its $8 per lb. and a slight discount for the more you buy if you get 30+lbs its $6 per lb. but their LR is like wet base rock. with very little coralline, and other life on it.

the other LFS is $5-$6 per lb. depending on how much you get, i think. i whish i knew about them before hand!!

 

[davidcalgary29]

Local LFS prices range from $5.99 (cyano covered coral rubble -- who buys this?) to $10.49 for "Tonga" LR. The best pieces that I've seen, though -- encrusted coralline and a good structure -- usually sells for $8/lb.

 

[chasekwe]

Albany, NY

The LFS has LR listed at $8.50/lb and base at $4.50. I can't say that I could distinguish between the regular and the base though. You can get very good LR online without much searching for between $3.50-$4.50 from what I've seen though so the LFS doesn't get my business when it comes to the rocks.

 

[Yankeefan91]

SW virginia-lfs store sells it for $14!! And it looks horrible!

 

[FormulatedFire]

most of the stores in baltimore are around $5-$7 but Dr. Mac's is about 2 hours away and they are $3-$4

 

[BarkingCrab]

The closest LFS to me in Southern MA is typically about $5. Quality is fair. They recently had some that they claimed was covered with coralline that listed on thier site at $10.

 

[Andrew]

Theres a lfs out of town that wants $12 per lb I think. The ones around here charge around $6 lb

( that $12 lb rock wasn't even good. )

 

[jmicky41]

In Chicagoland, figi usually sells for around $6-7. Tonga branch for around $8-9. My favorite is bali which when available is about $9. But the bali is so light it takes up twice the space as figi. At most places if you buy 20lbs they take off $1 per pound. The main benefit to buying at the LFS is being able to select interesting shapes, while throwing the heavy bricks back. I probably paid $100-200 more to do my tank than mail order, but I like every piece.

 

[GreyG35]

Here in Rochester, NY one of the reef shops has cured Fiji rock for $4.99/lb if you buy at least 50 lbs. It seems pretty decent, and you get to pick your own...I was quite happy with it, since I didn't have to wait for it to cure.

 

[Agu]

$4 to $10 depending on the store, the rock, and their inventory.

 

[DCFix]

6th Avenue Aquarium in SF

$4/lb if you buy more than 10lbs including:
Caribbean Sea, Jakarta, Florida, Sri Lanka, Fiji, and Bali.

 

[dfiddy]

closest one to me sells @ about $10/lb for some really cruddy bleached out "live" aptasia-ridden base rock.. most are around $8/lb.

 

[reefdude71]

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12539

I found this link on another board. Most of the live rock is less than $4 a pound with delivery. Has anyone got any of this?

 

[Pandora]

Hey, thanks for your input so far. Keep em coming!

What a beautiful bell curve.

reefdude, you may want to try to do a search in the vendor experiences forum, you may find your answer there.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Hi ReefDude
[welcome]

The LFS around this area generally have two types of LR for sale. Partly cured bulk LR and what they like to call "display" rock. The bulk runs about $7-$8 per pound but a ten pound piece of "display" rock can cost well over $100. Of course, it is fully cured and usually has abundant fan worms and other inhabitants. I once paid $175 for about a 10 lbs piece but it was covered with Christmas tree worms and some corals.

 

[nick063]

3.99 lb tallahassee fl