Live Rock

tjmm

New Member
I'm in the process of purchasing live rock from swf.com. What will I have to do to this rock to prepare it to go in my tank?
 

bigarn

Active Member

Originally posted by tjmm
I'm in the process of purchasing live rock from swf.com. What will I have to do to this rock to prepare it to go in my tank?

Just put it in the tank and let it cycle. :D
 

fulofcharm

Member
well, my friend!! i would probably purchase lv rock from your town dealer if you have one. see lv rock has to be cured. and then wrapped in paper that is wet!! if they are shipping your lv rock?? who knows if it has been cured at all!! and if the lv rock is not cured? you will have some dead fish!! so my suggestion is to purchase fish or coral or rock from the dealers in town. that way you know what your buying. good luck!!:D
 

malounsbury

Member
If he's still in the process of setting up his tank without fish, he can place it in and let it cycle. Doesn't matter where he's getting it from, because in a new tank the same thing will always happen. You have die off and a cycle starts.
If you have fish in your tank and you want to add it to that, I would suggst picking up a rubbermaid container and stick an extra powerhead and heater in there and let it cure. Also would help to have a light and a check protein skimmer. Do water changes twice a week unless the water gets really nasty from a lot of die off. Take readings on it; ammonia and nitrite will spike and fall, and when both of those reach zero you can put it into your tank.
 

fulofcharm

Member
sure!! i agree with that!! but for peace of mind?? buy your stuff at a dealer that you can get to know!! this hobbie can get very expensive and getting your lv rock and fish from out of state can be risky!! just my suggestion!!
 

malounsbury

Member
Sure it can be, but sometimes trusting your LFS can be risky. There's tons of satisfied people from buying the stuff here from SWF.com, and maybe you may not be able to find people where you live that can give a good review of the stuff you can buy from your LFS. Sometimes you have to weigh that fact also.
 

fulofcharm

Member
sure!!~ a dealer in town could screw you!! but if he or she does?? you at least you can go face to face with them. but please !! don`t get me wrong!! i am sure ordering your fish stuff can be good too. i just think that if something goes wrong?? you can get your answers right away!! and your dealer can also come to the house and help!! thanks for e-mailing your suggestions to me!! i do appreciate it!!:joy:
 

travel div

New Member
I am returning to this hobby after a 13 year break. When I left, undergravel filtration was the norm, but I have quickly learned that live rock and sand is preferable in conjunction with a protein skimmer and perhaps powerhead filters.
Reading this thread, I am inclined to consider buying the live rock from a local dealer, but it costs $10 - $13 per pound, or 3X SWF.com. Is this typical?
 

radioactive

Member
10-13 a lb sounds really high to me. I think our LR around here runs 3.50-4.00 a lb. If you have time keep looking and get the best price possible. SWF.com seems to have a pretty good price. best of luck
 

sula

Member
I previously set up a 10 gallon nano with Live Rock Purchased locally. I am now setting up a 29g, and have been shopping alot for a better deal than offered locally(anywhere from $6 to $10 per pound). I decided to order on-line, and was fully prepared for the possibility of some smelly uncured live rock appearing at my doorstep. All I can say is I was very pleasantly surprised. My rock was in Florida on Tuesday and in my tank in Wisconsin on Thursday. Absolutely beautiful rock and a much better deal than at a local store. On-line is definitely the way to go.
 

travel div

New Member

Originally posted by Sula
I previously set up a 10 gallon nano with Live Rock Purchased locally. I am now setting up a 29g, and have been shopping alot for a better deal than offered locally(anywhere from $6 to $10 per pound). I decided to order on-line, and was fully prepared for the possibility of some smelly uncured live rock appearing at my doorstep. All I can say is I was very pleasantly surprised. My rock was in Florida on Tuesday and in my tank in Wisconsin on Thursday. Absolutely beautiful rock and a much better deal than at a local store. On-line is definitely the way to go.

Did you use swf.com?
 

sula

Member
No, I used a different source, but only because I needed to find a site which sold in a smaller quantity (20#)
 

fulofcharm

Member
i am happy that your lv rock was in good condition!! i guess i just like picking out what size and kind of lv rock that i want for my tank. but please, i do not discourage people to send for ther fish stuff. i just suggested that if you got something that you ordered and you did not like it?? then you would have to send it all back!! just like ordering from a catolog!! anyways!! my lv rock cost me between 5 and 8 dollars a pound!! i guess it just depends on the area you live in!! i am in wiconsin!! you???:thinking:
 

ryand

Member
well its 7.00 dallers if it is under 205 lbs but over 20 it is like a quarter of the price 0nly 5.25 i am glad when my mom went to rochester today she fell inlove with that little 3 lbs rock otherwize i would of had to pay a lot more
 

fulofcharm

Member
i also live in the madison area!! fitchburg! i have a 30 gal tank. it has been running now for 6 months!! the animals i have in there are all getting along!! it took a while, but all is good here!!
 
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