Live rock from LFS

[Kayak_Guy]

Ok, I'll be starting a new 55 gal 20 gal sump.

If I buy some live rock from a LFS, and transport it to my house in a bucket of water, do I still have to cure it?

And since I'm starting a new tank anyways, I shouldn't have to cure it right?

And after I've established the tank, and added fish, should I cure the locally bought live rock before adding it to the tank?

 

[Bcollins111900]

It all depends if the live rock at the store is cured or not to begin with? Also how far is it from the LFS to your house? If it is 15-20 mins i would just wrap wet newspaper around it and you will be fine. Iif you add rock in additiont o what you already have later down the road I would cure it unless you know it is 100% cured already (came from an established reef tank that is being torn down). I would wait a week and look at all your levels just to play it safe.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

Yeah the store is 10 mins away. So for setting up a new tank it shouldn't matter, I can add the live rock regardless.

 

[Bcollins111900]

I would still let it cycle for a week to be safe. Ask the guys at the LFS if it is cycle rock and how long they have had it for. Alot of LFS buy un-cured rock as it is half the price of cured rock not to mention there is die off during shipping.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

ok, thanks I'll ask. But I think I'll cure it for the hell of it.

Can you suggest someplaces to buy rock online? How is the shipping when buying online? Would I be better off getting rock to decorate locally?

 

[Bcollins111900]

Online prices will be cheaper but shipping will get ya in the end so it it about even. For online places, cant go wrong with TBS (Tampa Bay) or phishybusiness.com

 

[Kayak_Guy]

OK, so if I buy some regular (not live) or once live rock, will it become live? Will it retain the nice color?

 

[Andrew]

Yes, if kept with liverock, baserock overtime will turn into liverock. The amount of time it takes depends on the tank. Many people may only buy a couple dozen pounds of liverock and than a lot of baserock to save on money and most of the time within 2-3 months you'll nodice coraline growing on the baserock.

 

[Kayak_Guy]

Great, how bout some good base rock sites?


I think my plan is to buy some live rock for the tank and some for the sump, and then the rest base rock.

 

[Andrew]

Same goes with baserock... It's cheaper to just buy it from a lfs. Most will sell it for $1 or $2 a pound. I myself buy lacerock for all my tanks.

 

[Mostro17]

LFS???

LFS???

What and where is this store? I am in Miami and looking for local stores to buy live rock and sand.

 

[Doahh]

LFS = Local Fish Store