Live rock??

offshore80

offshore80

Member
I'm about to purchase 125lbs of live rock via the enternet. What have your experiences been? Is it good? Worth the money? Or are you better off paying double and hand picking it from your lfs?
Here's my email for sugestions: macsreeltime@cox.net
thanks
 
regaldragon

regaldragon

Member
I've personally never bought LR from the net - I'm not sure where you live, but I'm sure that if you look around a bit, you will find a LFS that has good looking and cheap live rock. Like just the other day, I found a LFS in Kansas City that sells Tonga rock with the most beautiful growth on it for $6 a pound. Considering that it's really light (a piece about a foot long and 6 inches tall and wide was 11 pounds wet), it's a really good deal. Anyhow, the point is, I would reconsider buying online, because if you hand pick it, you will most likely be much happier with what you get for your money.
 
excite74

excite74

Member
I order all live rock online. I have bought a little bit from around here. (Pennslyvania) for $6. Went to web site got 45lbs for $99 (Fiji Rock). I have always ordered online. Most of the online dealers try to vary the live rock sizes, but if you don't like the size use a hammer and chisel and make your own sizes (thats what I did) HTH.
 
lobstergrabber

lobstergrabber

Member
Offshore80 is that for your 48 gal? Seems like an aweful lot if it is. Anyway I personally have never bought rock online but have heard wonderful things about it and the price is definitely way better. If I was doing it all over again I think I would buy 2/3 of what I wanted total from an online retailer and hit all the LFS and look for that one or two big show type rocks to bring the arrangement I want all together. That way you only have to pay top dollar for a bit. I fin where I live the selection is pretty slim though. Almost all the rock here is Fl. aquacultured and a little fiji.
Rich
 
offshore80

offshore80

Member
Thanks for the replys... I just finished plumbing my 175 BF and I wanted to get as much LR as I could afford at once while it was cycling. I live in VA and the choices of LR places are slim to none. I purchased over time 65 lbs for my 46 BF. But, the best price I could get was 7 bucks a pound. and most was uncured. I have bought a lot of stuff for all 3 of my tanks from SWF.com and had great service and good prices but, LR is kinda personal and your kinda stuck with what you get. Keep the advice coming I'm about 2 weeks out from adding water to the tank. Is Live sand in the bags worth the money or is the stuff really dead? It's hard to believe any thing could live in a bag for months.
Thanks!
 
lionstorm

lionstorm

Member
i've heard good things about live rock from saltwaterfish.com, usually it comes practically straight from the ocean floor to your aquarium and you get a lot of hitch hikers.
 
jrittz

jrittz

Member
I believe it's the luck of the draw. You're trying to weigh out price vs. looks. A friend of mine purchased 90-100lbs of LR online for approx. $300 which is very close to $3.00+/lb and the rock was beautiful. Online you can find great prices and great rock. Maybe roll the dice on a smaller amount of LR from someone who deals in it frequently and if you get great rock then you know you're possibly safe to buy again. If it looks bad then you arent out too much money and you know where not to buy the next time.
Jrittz
 
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