live rock question

[chrisreadcourt]

Is there a way to test or look at live rock to see if its actually alive I see adds on Craigslist on live rock cheaper but dont want to take a chance on buying dead rock seeing I need alive for a fresh new tank setup

[on the spot]

The alive part, the bacteria, will be there. unless the rock is being stored in fresh water, or bleach. Not to worry though, the necessary bacteria will re-populate quickly enough.

So if you can get rock cheap, I'd jump on it.

[jimnchal]

I purchased 200lbs of live rock from craigslist for a really good deal. Drove 200 miles to get it. If they are keeping it in heated circulated saltwater it will be fine.

[fltekdiver]

I've bought a ton of LR off Craigslist in the past

Usalley on average I paid about $2 a pound

After gettingn the good hitchhickers, and the bad, I deceived this time
To buy from a LFS, for $3 a pound for Fuji Live Rock


You could also buy dry rock from reefcleaners.com and use as base rock to help with cost, and seed it with a few pcs of live rock from. A LFS , so you don't have to worry about unwanted pest

[tonyda1st]

I bought life rock for about $2.00 per pound but was full of cyno bacteria. Found out too late

[chrisreadcourt]

So best is from local pet store

[Green Chromis]

:fish1: Try the live rock from Tampa Bay, its full of life and not that expensive. :fish1:

[cloak]

So best is from local pet store

In some cases, yes. Especially if you have various LFS in your area. This way you can cherry-pick the lot. It's also a lot easier to avoid some of the nasties that tend to accompany live rock when you know what to look out for.

Here's a good article.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/feature/index.php

[chrisreadcourt]

I got a piece from local a well known saltwater store and now I have this large stringy algea looks like seaweed and need it out

[chrisreadcourt]

http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy161/chrisreadcourt/20131030_191147_zps00290e61.jpg