Base Rock from Florida, yes or on

[kroch3rd]

I just came back from a florida vacation, and i saw many rocks washed up on shore that looked very similar to the base rock i bought when i started my tank. so my question is, is this rock ok to put in my tank as base rock, or does it have metals or anything bad for my tank in it.
any advice will help. thanks

 

[teen]

youd probably get arrested or fined for collecting it.

 

[reef46]

I would say go for it. no cops around here would arrest you for picking up a rock.

 

[m0nk]

Chances are that it'll have tons of garbage that you don't want in your tank, not to mention the legal aspects; it's illegal to collect rock like that in Florida.
Anyways, if you don't really care about the legal part, think about this; most oily types of pollution sit on top of the water. When the tides come in the water splashes that junk onto the beach. Although you may not see it, it's there, and you don't want it in your tank.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by teen
youd probably get arrested or fined for collecting it.
NOT! Nobody pays attention what you do down here... I have never taken rock from the beach...I have never found large pieces though

..IF you did however find some pieces...If you cured them for a few weeks I suppose they would be fine.

 

[teen]

Originally Posted by reef46
I would say go for it. no cops around here would arrest you for picking up a rock.
obviously a normal cop isnt gunna be on a stake out waiting for you to take some rock from the beach. but if a park ranger or DEC officer, something like that sees you with it, you could get in trouble.

 

[goober_hunter]

i live in florida, there is a lot of sulfur and phosphates and pestacides, in the water. iam not saying it wouldnt work, but be carfull of what you put into your tank. i would clean it first...

 

[kroch3rd]

really, i didnt know it was illegal, i understand in hawaii because of the reefs and stuff, but florida. why is illegal anyway, if you can take seashells then why not take rocks, i didnt take like 10 lb rocks, they were small, less than 1lb rocks that washed up to shore. sorry if i seem unrational to some people

 

[ric maniac]

Originally Posted by kroch3rd
if you can take seashells then why not take rocks
i was thinking the same thing

 

[teen]

im pretty sure tampa bay who sells live rock basically "grows" there live rock in florida waters. not sure how far away the nearest docks and what not are, but i honestly dont think the water is that bad.
im sure theres pollution/ run off by the great barrier reef/ red sea areas, so why would florida be much different?

 

[shrimpi]

I live in FL for 6 yrs now, and I have yet to see cops doing anything on the beach (besides babe watching

)
I had a similar situation to what you describe.
My parents were in Kawaii (one of the Hawaiian for those who dont know) like they go every year. Since I have a reef tank, Mom thought she would grab some of the 'rocks' (coral skeletons) off the beach and send them to me.
So she shipped me the rocks, which were completely dried out.
(If they arent dry, I would let them dry out to prevent the introduction of parasites into your tank. I wouldnt introduce anything 'live' IMO )
I then Boiled them in water (yep, on my stove

), let them soak overnight, boiled them again, and then let them completely dry out. After this I threw them in the sump, they started to grow stuff so I placed them in the DT.
I dont know if this was the right thing to do- as far as cleaning the rock, but Ive had no problems.... other than Mom who keeps sending me 'stuff for my tank' lol. Hey its not THAT bad I guess.
I wouldnt worry about the cops unless you are hauling away a pickup full of rocks. If its just a few peices, thats just like a souvenier- like a bucket of shells, how many kids take POUNDS of that home?
Dont destroy the natural reef/habitat. Washups shouldnt effect anything in the amount you are taking.

 

[demonic]

You can take anything that washes up on the florida shores, except for sand in some places. Everything else out of the water is fair game.

 

[michaeltx]

I would actually check into the laws of the state very carefully before I took anything off the beach and then I really would put it my tank.
The rock that was brought up that is harvested off the coast is man made rock and they have special permits to do this the rocks is place well off shore for a long period of time to become live and get all the critters on it then its harvested. I do know that anything taken out of the waters is definately ILLEGAL and possible on the beach in some locations.
PLEASE check with local parks and recreation before taking anything or you could be spending some time in Jail for it. Me personally would not want to take that chance.
Mike

 

[goober_hunter]

the closer to the shore the more pollutians there are........lots of sulfur in these water.. many lfs do grow their own live rock off the coast, but its kind of far off.. as for cops, just run. you only get in trouble if you get caught..

just kidding, they dont care... hope things work out well....

 

[shrimpi]

Originally Posted by kroch3rd
I just came back from a florida vacation, and i saw many rocks washed up on shore that looked very similar to the base rock i bought when i started my tank. so my question is, is this rock ok to put in my tank as base rock, or does it have metals or anything bad for my tank in it.
any advice will help. thanks

I believe he isnt talking about taking 'from the water'.
He is referring to 'washed up' rock. Much like 'washed up sea shells'. The cops arent gonna care if you take it home. Do they care about kids taking buckets of seashells home?
Just dont go 'harvesting'.

 

[feelingfishy]

i TOKK ALL MY LIVE SANDFROM THE BEACH RIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE ! iT WORKS GREAK ALTHOUGH I DID WASH IT FOREVER

 

[nygel]

hmm... im goin to the coast on vacation, this could fix my 'lack of live rock' problem. so how would you go about 'cleaning' such rock normally? I dont have any extra tanks either, just my DT. (im broke as broke, about 85 cents broke, no job broke, but i NEED rock!)

 

[nissan577]

I Live Close To The Beach Of Florida. And I Have Collected Rocks From Their And Some Have Given Me Problems N Others Havent.

 

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by goober_hunter
i live in florida, there is a lot of sulfur and phosphates and pestacides, in the water....
aquacultured florida rock is sourced limestone rock dumped right off the coast of florida so I dont think contaminants of the water is an issue.