Live Rock with hitch hikers

[aponok]

Good day,
After spending several years "retired" from the hobby, I have decided to start a reef tank again. I am currently in the tank cycling phase.

I would like to obtain some live rock from local stores. But the live rock I am interested in needs to be populated with some beneficial hitch hikers. I checked out a couple stores already and the visible life on the rock appeared minimal. Can anyone refer a good store?

Alternatively if someone knows of a local source for a starter culture of copepods and the like, I would be interested in going that path.

If nothing materializes before spring then I will order online. But since it is below freezing outside I won't be using mail order for anything temperature sensitive.

Thanks

 

[Clowny88]

Saltwater Specialty on State st.

 

[aponok]

Saltwater Specialty is quickly becoming my first choice for seeking inhabitants. I was there on the 15th and picked up 20 pounds of live rock. ($4.00 a pound is the best deal I've seen within driving distance.) I have also added a couple pieces of large live rock obtained from Petco on the 10th. I have noticed about 4 different sizes of banded brittle stars (6 legs) since added the rock from Saltwater Specialty. These were a surprise since I had not observed any prior to placing the pieces in my tank. And on the 17th I picked up a couple pieces (7 pounds total) from Wayne's Feed Store ($6/lb.) Those were the pieces that showed the most promise after studying the tanks multiple times.

 

[Clowny88]

Agreed! Mine were not covered in coralline or anything, but I am STILL finding loads of hitchhikers.