Beach Rock

slimdiva21

New Member
I live in Florida and was wondering if I could go to the beach and get the rocks from there and use them in my 55gl tank?
 

ibanez

Member
Is pollution not a problem on your beaches? It is a problem over here on the west coast. Maybe not everywhere, but where I have been, which is cold water anyways.
 

aquaknight

Active Member
No! The "it's only me attitude" is why there's so much damage already done to Florida's reefs.
If the rock is wet and "alive" it is 100% illegal to take anywhere. Florida hasn't issued a permit for live rock collection since the 80's (note I did not say aquacultured).
If the rock is dry, it is going to depend on where you collect it. Chances are that "beach" you are talking about is probably a State Park, County Park, etc, where it is still illegal to take. Illegal live rock collection is one of the things FWC officers don't mess around with.
If the beach is private property and it's your own, or you have permission, have at the dry rock.
 

speg

Active Member
Two big things that were already mentioned..
1) it's illegal here in FL.
If that isn't enough...
It's also not safe for your tank. A lot of boats around that leak gasoline into the water can end up getting sucked into your rock. Sun tan lotions, and many other things can infect these rocks and poison your tank.
Better to just dish out the 7.99 for live rock and 3.99 for base rock.
 

cam78

Active Member
You are luck y to have the luxury to just grab rock from the coast. Imo i would especially if others have had such success with it. Illegal my ass. If its washed on shore its the same as removing a shell or a hypodermic needle from the east coast here. Lol
 

aquaknight

Active Member
Originally Posted by CAM78
http:///forum/post/3244772
You are luck y to have the luxury to just grab rock from the coast. Imo i would especially if others have had such success with it. Illegal my ass. If its washed on shore its the same as removing a shell or a hypodermic needle from the east coast here. Lol
http://research.myfwc.com/features/v...e.asp?id=32433
Totally right? When you done with your cig, just flick it out the window... Doing an oil change? Just let it drain in the sewer. Snorkeling? Eh, just go ahead and step on the corals....
 

cam78

Active Member
I am not disagreeing it is illegal. I am disagreeing that it would be enforced removing one or two rocks from the beach and placing them in a tank. Trust me some things in law enforcement are overlooked because of the pettiness. Florida might be a little more interested in people in rafts bringing cocaine over.
Nobody is getting in trouble for grabbing a few pieces of rock. Now if your dragging a piece of burlap containing 100 lbs of it, it might raise some red flags.
 

chaseter

Member
I see nothing wrong with taking rocks off of the beach. I doubt anything is living on it besides crabs and and some bacteria. However, taking rocks out of a reef is a big no no. And, as others have said, if it is near the beach, chances are huge that it probably contains a lot of toxins as most toxins wash towards the beech and that is where man likes to hang out and pollute.
 
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