Where Can I Get Quality Live Rock?

[Lindebrah]

Hi all,

I'm about to start my first Reef Tank and still debating whether to go with dry or live rock. I was also wondering where the best place to get good live rock. I'm new to the hobby and have read that a lot of LFS sell live rock that doesn't really have much life on them. I was original going to get my live rock at Big Al's but was wondering if maybe that isn't the best option.

If it helps, here is a picture of the live rock that I saw at big als https://imgur.com/DV39hsp

Thank you

 

[Pistol]

That's cured live rock, I think you're looking for out of the ocean live rock, I started my first tank tank with it and it was great. You have to cure and keep an eye out for pests, it can be good and bad.
I would check with BigShowFrags, I think he can get it.

 

[Lindebrah]

That's cured live rock, I think you're looking for out of the ocean live rock, I started my first tank tank with it and it was great. You have to cure and keep an eye out for pests, it can be good and bad.
I would check with BigShowFrags, I think he can get it.

Is cured live rock a a bad thing? Or would that be a good rock choice for a beginner?

 

[Pistol]

Probably the best choice for a beginner would be cured, pest free live rock
Pests like bubble algae, bryopsis, flatworms, etc. are a major drag, thats why alot of people opt for dead rock and cure it themselves, however, that process takes months to do properly

 

[Lindebrah]

Probably the best choice for a beginner would be cured, pest free live rock
Pests like bubble algae, bryopsis, flatworms, etc. are a major drag, thats why alot of people opt for dead rock and cure it themselves, however, that process takes months to do properly

So if I were to go with the cured live rock from Big Al's would I be able to put that straight into my aquarium and start cycling? And you're saying I shouldn't have to deal with any of the bad pests?

 

[Pistol]

I can't vouch for the quality of their live rock but if they've had it for a while, say weeks or months and there are no visible pests then it should be ok.
What size tank are you planning?

 

[Lindebrah]

I can't vouch for the quality of their live rock but if they've had it for a while, say weeks or months and there are no visible pests then it should be ok.
What size tank are you planning?

Going to go with the Fluval Sea Evo 13.5g

 

[Pistol]

Well your dealing with a small amount of rock and you can set it up with a fish or 2 and watch it for a while and if there are some pests it's a pretty easy reset,so, a couple few pieces from Big als would prolly be ok.
Mine is 260 gallons so pests are a bit harder to deal with

 

[Lindebrah]

Well your dealing with a small amount of rock and you can set it up with a fish or 2 and watch it for a while and if there are some pests it's a pretty easy reset,so, a couple few pieces from Big als would prolly be ok.
Mine is 260 gallons so pests are a bit harder to deal with

Wow! 260 gallons! Have any pictures I can see? So essentially, I can take the rock from Big Al's and put it immediately into my tank with my live rock and start my cycle right? It should be a pretty fast cycle because it's live right?

 

[calli]

Wow! 260 gallons! Have any pictures I can see? So essentially, I can take the rock from Big Al's and put it immediately into my tank with my live rock and start my cycle right? It should be a pretty fast cycle because it's live right?

Still follow testing to watch the cycle. I’d also have lights off.

 

[Pistol]

Wow! 260 gallons! Have any pictures I can see? So essentially, I can take the rock from Big Al's and put it immediately into my tank with my live rock and start my cycle right? It should be a pretty fast cycle because it's live right?

 

[Kman]

I myself if you are buying from a store order a box of liverock and get it before it is put into their tank. I like to process that stuff myself as once it goes into their tank who knows what pests you can get. Some stores don't take the time to properly go over the rocks and just dump them into their system. So myself I like to do that process myself so I know it has been done right.

Taking rocks from a store and putting into your tank does work. I just like being part of the process right off.

Pro tip if you want to cut costs buy half dry and the other half wet. Within a few months you cant tell the difference and it helps cut costs as dry is cheaper then live rock.