need input on LR

[1fast300z]

Alright the high Nitrates have made me give up on water changes weekly and I have decided I need more rock. I have a 125 with only around 50 to 60 lbs of LR. Anyway I am ordering 45 lbs... but you all have to help me decide which site to do it on.
This site, or *******.. sorry If I didnt put the actual link it wouldnt show up.
Who has expeirence with the Live Rock from this site, if so list if you liked it, hated it , please!!! Also I want some really good quality live rock, do they actually hand pick this stuff from the ocean and then pre-cure it or is it just all in a building sitting in tanks from several months ago? I want all the little critters and goodies to still be on the rock when I get it. On ******** they say it gets shipped across the ocean to the u.s., that sounds good and makes me think its fresh and right from the ocean. Anyway as far as curing goes, should I just place it in a 20 gallon long with a powerhead or should I just prepare a bucket of saltwater and dip/shake the pieces one by one in it to get all dead stuff off?
Thanks!
*Please do not post links to other retailers*

 

[clown316]

i dont have very much experience in the sw hobby... but when I put my LR into my tank... I was told to use a scrubber brush of some sort with soft bristles..and rinse the dead stuff off with salt water... as for purchasing LR online... Im not to sure... I purchased 25 lbs. at my lfs and i was very pleased

 

[goulding.c]

My 125 is stacked to the roof and some sticking out of the water, I thought it was around 125 lbs not sure to long ago... I bought it through lfs uncured for cheaper right from airport, I would not advise this, curing it in 55 gallon garbage cans was discusting, the whole house smelt like dead roadkill and scrubbing and rinsesing was a pain for a "MONTH", if you buy it make sure its cured usually whitish in color, when I got mine direct from ocean looked great and had all the cool colors and sponges which will not survive transport, the curing made it pale but once in the tank for a few months all the little critters grew right back and colorful algea grew right back, hope this helps

 

[1fast300z]

Thanks guys,
If I buy it off this site when it arrives should I still cure it or rinse it and then place it in the display? They say under the description that its "pre-cured".

 

[hot883]

Any rock that gets shipped will need to be re-cured.
Some sites say they ship from the water to your door. Thats great as you will most likely recieve mantis shrimp and a bunch more unwanted critters.
SWF.com has great live rock at a great price.

 

[1fast300z]

Thanks Hot883,
As for the re-curing process goes, Does it typically only take several days? I found information saying to replace the majority of the water after two to three days. Let it sit for 24 hours and then test the water quality for ammonia, nitrates, nitrites. Does that sound about right?
Thanks,
-Peter
Also on this site, once the order is placed do they tell you when it will arrive? I would imagine the LR is 2nd day shipping on here but I could be wrong.
-EDIT- Also once the Rock is cured and placed in the Display will it improve water quality right away or take several month to get all its good stuff back on it?

 

[bkh_sd]

You should look at live rock just as you would your fish... Always quarantine for at least a couple weeks. If water stays zero'd your good to go.
As far as how long it really takes to grow all the cool stuff back on them.... it just really varies.. Once the rocked is cured and safe for the tank, Metal Halide and Power Compact lighting will greatly help you achieve the rocks full potential.

 

[1fast300z]

Alright cool, I am not really to concerned with how pretty it will look, but more concerned with how effective it will improve my overall water quality and drop my nitrates? Do you think once I cure it again and add to my display I should see results within a few days?
I have a 125 with 50 lbs of live rock. I am adding 45 more lbs in hope of improving the water quality. Think it will work?
Thanks everybody,
Peter.

 

[bkh_sd]

You may see some results in that first week. However I recommend (and most sites do too) at least 1 pound of live rock per gallon of tank to be really effective. I personally do 2 pounds per gallon.
Make sure your doing at least 10 % water changes a week. Can do 20% water changes for a couple weeks to see the nitrates drop a little faster.

 

[1fast300z]

Yep , I plan to have a pound to the gallon soon, but Live Rocks expensive! I have been doing 30 percent water changes weekly in hopes of reduced nitrates. No luck yet though. Im ordering the rock tonight so it will arrive wendesday.