mail order "fully cured" live rock?

[fixed]

Is it possible to buy true "fully cured" live rock mail order? By "fully cured," I assume that means that when you get it, you can immediately drop it into a fish occupied tank, right? Anyone have experience with this -- good or bad?

 

[jacknjill]

well, its probably cured where they have it. but when you order it and they ship it to you, there will be die off and you will have to re-cure it anyways.

 

[fixed]

How long in transit does it take so that re-curing would be required? Less than 24 hours? Are you saying that you would never mail order and then directly drop into your established tank?

 

[snailheave]

i wouldn't.
and it takes more than 24 hours for sure.

 

[jacknjill]

not without curing the rock first. i dont know how long it would tkae . a couple weeks i guess

 

[beth]

Originally Posted by Fixed
Is it possible to buy true "fully cured" live rock mail order? By "fully cured," I assume that means that when you get it, you can immediately drop it into a fish occupied tank, right? Anyone have experience with this -- good or bad?
No, it is not really possible. Even if it was curred when it left the store, by the time it arrives 24 hours later in the mail, there has been some die off. With a deadicated rubbermaid and a PH, there really is no problem just dropping new LR in its own QT for a few days to be sure its good to go.

 

[jdragunas]

you start getting die-off once the rock is out of water for 2 hours... so getting fully cured LR mail order is pretty impossible. Most places ship it wrapped in wet newspaper, and plastic. If by some chance you find someone that will ship it fully submerged, chances are it won't be shipped in a climate controlled truck. Once the temp. drops, you'll start getting die-off.
I always pre-cure my LR before adding it to the tank, even if i buy it from a fish store, and take it directly home... It's much better to be safe than sorry.

 

[fixed]

Thanks, all. I found some local, so I won't have to take the chance. Sounds like it wouldn't be worth the risk.

 

[snailheave]

the only thing i would mail order is a russian bride...
i am just saying

 

[civileng68]

I fell into this "trap" when I first started.
I bought fully cured LR and had it shipped Priority, only to realize that it died off (even in wet newspaper and water bags) and it had to recure. The only benefit was it didn't FULLY die off.

 

[jdragunas]

well, i'd mail-order chaeto with pods and tiny stars... but that's just me...

 

[snailheave]

i am working on it. if the flu shot doesn't kill me today.