live rock in a box lifespan?

[tableforglasses]

Hey guys I was just curious. I had gotten information from somebody on the board of a place near baltimore that sells florida aquacultured live rock, and my parents live near there in VA, so I was thinking of getting a box over Christmas holidays. The guy I talked to at the store said they get shipments in friday morning, and that I could either get a box (35-50lbs) of the rock on friday or saturday. I am going home on Sunday evening, so I could put it in the tank later that night, but do you think that would be too long to leave in a box or would the rock be safe? I don't want to lose any of the FL rocks beauty!
Thanks Sean

 

[dburr]

Keep it moist w/ newspaper and don't let it get to cold. You should be ok. You might get a little die off....

 

[tableforglasses]

I could possibly get a couple 5 gal buckets and fill it with saltwater and put the rock in there and transfer it that way, would that be taking it too far, is it safe enough with just the wet newspaper, or should I be more cautious?
thanks sean

 

[phoenixrising]

I have bought 90% of my live rock mailorder. Much of it has been uncured aquacultured liverock from florida. It is all shipped to me overnight federal express in a large heavy duty bag wrapped in newspaper and soaked in seawater. All of this goes into a styrofoam box. If your drive back (or flight schedule) won't take too long, you should be good to go.

 

[tableforglasses]

basically I am looking at picking it up Saturday morning, and driving back Sunday evening it is a 3 1/2 hour drive so pick up around 10:00 am saturday put in tank around 9:00 PM Sunday
Thanks Sean

 

[nightshiftman]

i would keep it in the buckets for a long period of time like that. as for putting it in the tank, i wouldn't unless it's a new tank with nothing in it. odds are that it will start a cycle in the tank since you WILL have die off to some extent. get a couple rubber tubs and cure it before putting in if it's an established tank. and if it is, put it in SLOWLY. like 5 pounds a week or less if possible. you don't want to diturb the biological activity too much ya know.

 

[tableforglasses]

yeah it is brand new. It won't have anything in it but sand and water.
thanks sean

 

[arkman]

why wouldnt you just have it mail order shipped directly to your place?
thanks for buying aquacultured!

 

[nightshiftman]

in that case, just dump it in then(not litteraly of course). i would still go with the whole bucket thing though. you don't want more die off then you need.

 

[tableforglasses]

I would mailorder it, but so far I can't find anyone with similar prices. I can get it for $3.99/lb. If anyone knows some place I can get it cheaper I would be opn to that thought.
let me know or email me
thanks sean
spidey_1978@msn.com