Live Rock Deal

[TMartinez]

Someone on here once suggested looking at craigslist for live rock deals. I found a gentleman who doesn't mind selling some LR out of the setup that he was selling. I sent him an email offering $100 for 25 lbs of super porous rock and this was his return email:

"The best I have are 2 large pieces of base rock AKA limestone that are super porous. When dry and immersed in water it takes about 2 days for them to get all the air out. Each one weights 20-25lb. I would be willing 2 sell both for the same money. They have been in the aquarium for 7 years however I just finished scrubbing them with tank water because they had mega algea buildup. I order to restore coraline growth within 1 month you need to use a suppilment called purple-up. These rocks are large enough to be broken into 3 or 4 pieces each for building your aquascape."

I have a few questions. First is the type of rock good for what i need? Remember i'm adding all this etra rock for my mandarin. Secondly, I interpretted it as getting both the rocks for $100... is that what you guys read too?

I have attached the pics of the rock he emailed to me. Let me know if its worth it.

 

[johnny roastbeef]

Firstly, that isnt coral rock, it appears to be lava rock. I wouldnt use that rock for a few reasons. You say they had mega algae build up, which leads me to believe they are saturated with nutrients (phosphates) and will become a problem once again in your tank.
Next $100 is no bargain. You can get real dry coral from our site for less.

http://www.affordableaquaticsupplie...ge=product_info&cPath=112_113&products_id=402

Lastly, purple up will not create coralline. You need to already have it in your tank. Proper calcium levels will enable it to grow.

 

[Heathd]

If it is lava rock, its high iron content is going to make you want to pull your hair out.

Even if it was base rock (not lava), or tufa, I wouldnt pay more then two or three bucks a pound for it.

 

[TMartinez]

ok cool thanks... His craigs aid said "live rock" but now that i read it his reply email does say Base rock... Good catch guys. Thanks

I'm just trying to find a cheap alternative to the $7/lb at my lfs but that seems to be my best bet

 

[TacomaMan]

ya thats not a good deal, hell i wouldnt put it in my tank if he paid me to

 

[nonstophoops]

ok cool thanks... His craigs aid said "live rock" but now that i read it his reply email does say Base rock... Good catch guys. Thanks

I'm just trying to find a cheap alternative to the $7/lb at my lfs but that seems to be my best bet

I would think that being in Florida you would be able to find someone who aquacultures it. They throw base rock into a designated spot in the ocean(with a permit) and leave it for a while to fully colonize with all sorts of stuff. Then they pull it out and sell it.

There is an LFS here in Milwaukee that the owner actually drives down to Florida in a truck and buys it from a guy directly off the boat and drives back. The stuff is covered in all sorts of stuff that you wouldn't get from any other type of LR that came from anywhere else and he has to drive it 24 hours to get it here. I bought a few pieces completely covered in sponge, macroalgaes, polyps, and even some assorted mollusks. This stuff would pretty much all die if it wasn't this fresh. The best part is he sells the stuff for 5.99/lb, 4.99/lb for 50 lbs+, and 3.99/lb for 100lbs+, which is way cheap for an LFS selling rock. That means he is getting it really cheap from someone down there.

I would think you would be able to find something like this for cheap in your area.

 

[TMartinez]

There are places that do it however they are all in south florida where i am at the nothern most tip. I can order stuff from key west, tampa, etc but then I still have to pay for shipping. I could drive down and get it but gas would be damn near as much as shipping... What I want is aquacultured stuff and it's hard to find a super good deal on the stuff