is live rock still live when...

[jus85411]

it has been sitting in water even without a powerhead or something creating flow around them? i am just wondering because i am looking to get 30-40 lbs of live rock by this weekend from a guy off craigslist. i talked to him today and the rocks have been sitting in his tank full of water. i just want to make sure im not getting ripped off(him knowingly doing it or not) if the bacteria is dead because of no flow around them in water. i told him i wanted to take a look at them before i made my decision of wanting them or not. thank you.

 

[VLDesign]

How long was it in the water with no circulation is the key.

If longer than a day I would say most of the beneficial stuff died.

 

[jus85411]

thats pretty much what i was thinking. what about if there are no fish or anything to produce ammonia? that would also kill off the bacteria wouldnt it and essentially "kill" the rock? and if there is nothing providing water movement or ammonia, what do you think i should offer him for the rock? he wants $4/lb for it. maybe like $2/lb or find somewhere/someone else? there is someone else i emailed from craigslist that is closer to my house that is selling live rock for $3/lb so i have another option in mind if this one isnt any good.

 

[VLDesign]

I would consider it base rock at best, so a buck a pound if that.

 

[Nighthawk]

I would consider it base rock at best, so a buck a pound if that.

I agree. Perhaps $1.50 a pound tops.

 

[mr.reef24]

well without circulation the water will become stagnant after time which may kill off some live organism's but once you get them clean them real good with this;

http://www.marinedepot.com/Kent_Mar...mps_Filters-Kent_Marine-KM2731-FIMTMB-vi.html

use your nose to smell for bad smells (lol) and when you smell ocean its clean then let it cycle with no light till your tank is done cycling.

mr.reef24

 

[jus85411]

the tank is an already established 75 gallon tank. first it was fresh water but with my green spotted puffers i did the conversion to marine. the tank has been set up for a total of 10 months, 7 or so of them being fully marine, the other 3 was fresh/brackish water. so after i use this stuff to remove dead organisms on the rocks surface can i put it straight in the tank? or should i set up one of my rubbermaid containers for water changes with some saltwater in there and an airstone or something to create some circulation?

 

[Pufferpunk]

As long as it has been wet, there are still live organisms living in there. Definitely needs to be cured in a seperate bucket though.

 

[Hawaiianfishkee]

i would go check out all of the offers... whichever rock looks more healthy and smells more healthy is probably your best bet...

 

[overcooked]

Here's one thing i noticed about live rock. It's better to let it sit outside of water and have it wrapped with moist newspaper than have it sit in water with no air over a period of 3+ days.