live rock and sand storing

[redpit]

how long can you keep live rock and sand stored before using?
maybe a dumb question

 

[kevin2000]

Not sure I follow.

I suppose you can keep both both live rock and live sand "live" indefinitely so long as you keep it in the correct environment. (Correct salinity, temperature etc combined with some nutrition for the "life")

 

[redpit]

i mean not in the tank but on the shelf i'm new so i apologize for dumb questions

 

[kevin2000]

Live rock and Live sand become base rock and dead sand when they are removed from the tank.

 

[Shagsbeard]

"live rock" is not just rock... it's all sorts of critters living in the rock. Most of this stuff is microscopic, but does need water to live. If the rock dies off, it will stink to high heaven. You wont want it on your shelf. You can keep live rock in salt water with a heater in a bucket... or trashcan. You should have a power head in there for some degree of circulation. Water changes every so often will keep your rock "live" for quite some time.