I'm super new to the hoby (as in my first tank isn't even cycled yet). I've heard of people getting growths of feather dusters on their live rocks, and also have hitch hikers on their live rock. In addition, worms that live in their live sand. What do I have to do to get all of these cool things? What kinds of things would I be looking for to get these awesome live rock bonuses?
Live Rock Bonuses!
- Thread starter hamdogg08
- Start date
Well, the less shipment the better. If you LFS has LR you can see it and you know what you are getting. Otherwise, look around this site for mail order suppliers that have good reps.
danch
New member
My best rocks (with the best hitch-hikers) came from the 'premium' bin at my LFS. I paid a lot more for these than I did for my mail-ordered rock, but I got some huge amphipods (like 1/2" long!), some bristleworms, a mini-brittle star, some of the little turbo-type snails, peanut worms. I think most of my little 'pods came in with my chaeto, along with a little 'trochus grazer' (columbiad snail) and some little feather dusters that are now spreading all over my fuge.
Or you could do like I did and buy from a local reefer that was tearing down his 4 year old tank.
I got ALL KINDS of critters. Unfortunately, I got the good along with the bad but my Peppermint Shrimp are snacking happily on the Aiptasia and the bubble algae is being devoured by the emerald crabs.
So far I have counted 7 small feather dusters, a massive growth of ricordia, several dozen 'pods, spaghetti worms, a few bristle worms, some long skinny worms that I only see late at night going from the rock down into the sand, countless snails, and a whole load of crabs.
I got ALL KINDS of critters. Unfortunately, I got the good along with the bad but my Peppermint Shrimp are snacking happily on the Aiptasia and the bubble algae is being devoured by the emerald crabs.
So far I have counted 7 small feather dusters, a massive growth of ricordia, several dozen 'pods, spaghetti worms, a few bristle worms, some long skinny worms that I only see late at night going from the rock down into the sand, countless snails, and a whole load of crabs.
drummereef
Team RC
If you really want hitchhikers, get some Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock. 
Randall_James
Premium Member
That was one of the best online purchases I have made.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232819#post10232819 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
If you really want hitchhikers, get some Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock.
sage_commander
New member
My family and I just love the TBS rock we got. Tons of brittle stars, feather dusters, corals, worms, sea hares, and at least one porcelain crab.
Now, I've also killed five or six hairy crabs (so far), and I still have not tracked down where the "clicking" sound is coming from. But overall I was very happy I made the purchase. Very highly recommended.
Now, I've also killed five or six hairy crabs (so far), and I still have not tracked down where the "clicking" sound is coming from. But overall I was very happy I made the purchase. Very highly recommended.
reefnetworth
Premium Member
the clicking sound is the pistolshrimp snaping its claws. they have been known to break average tanks by smacking the glass with its pinchers.
JDM
JDM
Randall_James
Premium Member
Ok now thats a new one, a pistol shrimp that breaks the glass by "smacking the glass with its pinchers"<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10238254#post10238254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnetworth
the clicking sound is the pistolshrimp snaping its claws. they have been known to break average tanks by smacking the glass with its pinchers.
JDM
This I would have to see to believe (and then I get rid if my pistol shrimp)
I used them to seed an existing tank that needed a bit of new life injected. I think the cost was around $15 lb delivered. Not that there is anything wrong with LFS liverock but I doubt that any can compare with the amount of life that comes with the rock.
My only wish is that they had "lighter" rock. The stuff they have is all pretty heavy and requires the 2lb per gallon rule
UntamedBreez
New member
one of my lfs was rearranging one of his coral tanks, an employee stuck the extra lR into the sales bin.
Grabbed that up in a heart beat...
of a cool blue sponge
two blue/purple mushrooms
six polpys, of three differnet colors.
and of course all the usual stuff
I've heard of a guy..I think on here that ordered live rock and ended up with an octopus!
Grabbed that up in a heart beat...
of a cool blue sponge
two blue/purple mushrooms
six polpys, of three differnet colors.
and of course all the usual stuff
I've heard of a guy..I think on here that ordered live rock and ended up with an octopus!
Icefire
Seasoned reefer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10238254#post10238254 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnetworth
the clicking sound is the pistolshrimp snaping its claws. they have been known to break average tanks by smacking the glass with its pinchers.
JDM
those are mantis, pistol only make sound and are reef safe
marybeth1975
New member
When I first got my LR it was like Christmas every day. I started finding feather dusters, and all kinds of stuff. A year later, Im still finding stuff. I recently found out I have at least two baby starfish (don't know what kind though) and starting to see tons of baby snails. I think its pretty cool.
