Live Rock Hitchhikers??

[eggy5404]

Which live rock tends to have the unwanted hitchhikers? I was thinking about ordering from tbs but I heard the LR may have mantis shrimps and as a newbee in this hobby, the last thing I want to do is go looking for it.. I will be using the LR to cycle the tank and they will no fishes for atleast 4 months. Thanks

 

[jrein40806]

I have heard that lr from Florida is really bad for Mantis shrimp. I had some rock from Fiji and Haiti. I was told by both owners who sold it to me that there would be no shrimp. Well I had one. It almost made me give up the hobby.
My advice to you is to cure the lr in a seperate tank to make sure the shrimp die. I have also read that a dip in high salinty water for about 30 seconds can get rid of them. Be careful though,they do pack quite a punch!

 

[dsa_mom]

I personally think its a rare occasion to get a mantis. You are going to cure or "quarantine" your rock anyway, you probably will know if there is some bad guy in there. Go ahead and buy wherever you think is a good deal.

 

[jrein40806]

I would be careful of buying lr from Florida. I think what is rare is having an easy time catching a Mantis without too much trouble. I would rather be safe than sorry,but it is your call. Good luck.

 

[bbuck_camelback]

I agree with dsa_mom, getting a mantis in a liverock doesn`t happen very often. I have been wanting to setup a mantis tank, anyone out there have a mantis tank?

 

[toddpolish]

an easy solution to making sure you don't have Mantis Shrimp from the flo rock is to mix up some saltwater with a sal of 1.030 and dip the rock in there for about 30 seconds. The mantis shrimp will jump outta the rock (from what I've read). I did this with 120lbs and I had NONE. the drawback I see from Flo rock is the aiptasia that grow. there are methods to rid them too (turkey baste boiling water on them or baste kalk or peppermint shrimp eat em).
I do LOVE the life that florida rock gives ya though. it really is cool.
If I had to do it again, I would buy both Flo and Fiji rock...with base rock too (save money and don't bury the expensive stuff!).