Buying Live Rock Online?

[blackjacktang]

I have been looking on craigslist for some live rock and im liking the deals at only $1-$2 a pound. Most of what i am seeing is rock that has already been in an established tank. So can I add rock that has already been in an established tank to my tank without worrying about ammonia spikes or anything bad?
I also know I should Bring my own bucket with water.

 

[gemmy]

I would just be weary of bad hitch hikers and poor water quality. Bring a test kit and test it on site.

 

[meowzer]

I would get a large tote....place all the new live rock in it with a powerhead and heater....and fresh sw of course
test the water, and observe the rock.....you can also dip the rock in fresh water to see if there is anything hiding in it
if the water tests good, and you don;t observe any BAD critters.....put it in your tank

 

[al mc]

I would not add any wet surface material...fish, inverts or rock into my DT without a 3 weeks minimal QT. You may be bringing in Ich or other parasites. Keep it in the tote you pick it up in with heate(s)r and power head(s). If from an established tank hopefully you can put it under some appropriate lights for several hours a day.

 

[blackjacktang]

so you all are reocmending i keep the rock in a bucket with a powerhead and a heater for a few weeks and examine the rock for anything bad?

 

[al mc]

Simple answer for me...yes. If you are like me you have hundreds/thousands of dollars invested in the inhabitants of your tank. You do not want to take the risk of introducing something like Ich that potentially could wipe out your fish at worst or cause you to have to treat all of them in an HT while your DT lies fallow for several weeks.
is this likely...no. You will probably have no problems if you follow the advice of other posters to this thread.
But, I am just offfering you my personal way of handling the addition of anything new to my own DT and the reasoning behind my opinion.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do.