Live Rock from Hawaii

[purpletang1]

I was recently in Hawaii and got some "live rock" from the water. I was wondering what I had to do before I could put it in my tank.

 

[renogaw]

depends on how long it was out of water. personally, i wouldn't be talking much about this since i'm almost 100% positive it's quite illegal to take it from their shores

 

[haynzunz77]

reno you're 100% right..ok to take "dead" rock from shoreline but from the water is a no no. Actually they said nothing with life on it can be harvested. I know cause I live in Hawaii and recently called the DLNR (dept. of land and natural resources) to find out the laws when I was setting up my tank. Sand on the other hand can be taken but you're limited to 1 gallon a day. At first I thought this sucked but after thinking about it they are only trying to protect what is left of the ecosystem here so it's kinda good.

 

[teresaq]

I think so too.
T

 

[purpletang1]

Well it wasn't actually living stuff on the rock, but I went through the FDA inspection and they didn't say anything about it. I am just wondering if I can put it in my tank.

 

[renogaw]

you most likely wont have any issues putting it in your tank, if it has been out of the water treat it like any other rock that needs to be cured for a few weeks.

 

[nihoa]

what do you mean about cured? if its being added to a tank with lots of rock already and there isnt any dead in it couldnt it just be added and the tank will seed it?
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3098326
you most likely wont have any issues putting it in your tank, if it has been out of the water treat it like any other rock that needs to be cured for a few weeks.

 

[renogaw]

well, sorta depends. that's a little more ammonia than i'd like to put in, but would probably be a nice feast for the clean up crew...at least the exterior stuff. all the dead worms and bacteria inside though will constantly be a sourse of ammonia for a while.

 

[nihoa]

sorry i reread and saw the rock was taken from the water. you would need to boil it or dry it out before doing anything with it i would think.

 

[cranberry]

Originally Posted by Nihoa
http:///forum/post/3098662
sorry i reread and saw the rock was taken from the water. you would need to boil it or dry it out before doing anything with it i would think.
But then it would be... dead rock.
I'd put that in a bin of saltwater for awhile to let it re-cure.
Did you have a permit? It's definitely not legal.... but hey, you didn't know so their loss is your gain.

 

[renogaw]

Originally Posted by Nihoa
http:///forum/post/3098662
sorry i reread and saw the rock was taken from the water. you would need to boil it or dry it out before doing anything with it i would think.
nah, no reason to boil it. just recure. something MAY have lived