Hi,
We've been importing and selling rock since 1996, and are one of the largest resellers in the US. I can tell you that we are on of the very few, if the only supplier, that actually brings rock in and tanks it in a system to where it's treated like coral. We do not sell any rock boxes that have been setting around dry, etc., on a shelf, waiting for a customer to order it. All of our rock is tanked until you order it, at which we pull out the exact weight you order and sizes you specify. You will need receive a 40lb rock order that contains only 34lbs of total rock.
As far as rubble, base rock, flat worms, aiptasia, etc....
There is always going to be a little bit of broken rock during transit. Just plan on this happening, however it's a VERY minimal amount at that. We pack so this does not happen.
We do not sell base rock as "live rock". Now, having said that, knowing what true liverock is, what it should look like, and how it should be handled, I would argue that Fiji "liverock" is borderline anymore. There is no rock that gets flown via air freight out of Fiji anymore. Every bit of Fiji rock is ocean freighted out of Fiji, meaning the rock is out of the ocean for 3-4 weeks by the time it gets to the reseller. Once this rock is then tanked back in water it will essnetially go bare, losing just about every bit of color and life on it, with the exception of an extremely small amount. This is why we have a big disclaimer on our website to ask about how our current Fiji rock looks before ordering, as it does vary week to week.
I have never heard of any customers receiving any flatworms from our rock. I have personally seen around 800,000lbs of various types of rock come through here in the last 11 years, and I've not had one report of flatworms on it. As far as aiptasia goes, I"ve probably had less than 10 customers out of literally thousands that have said they've had one or two pop up here and there.
At any rate, I think if you ask around and some research on RC over the years you will find that we have some of the best live rock in the industry, which is true live rock.
Thanks,
Jeremy
