is live rock dead? need help

[codydemmel4]

Hello,

I am looking to buy some live rock from a fellow reefer. However the live rock has just been in a cooler in his garage with a pump circulating it. He as been topping off the evaporated water every day or 2 days.

He has no light or HEATER in there. We live in the Washington DC area so it hasn't been freezing but it also hasn't been 70-80 degrees. I am wondering if this live rock would still be considered live rock or would it be dead since he moved it to the garage 2 months ago?

He has the temperature is around 68 degrees and hasn't gone below that and the salinity is 1.022, would this still be considered live? The pictures look good and it looks like it has coralline but I just wanted to make sure.

[figuerres]

well let's put it this way, no rock is ever "live" what we really want to know is about the bacteria and micro-fauna that are good for a reef tank.

from what you said I would expect that while some of the bacteria and such are there they are not in the prime condition of being in a running reef tank.
so I guess I would call this "half alive" :-)

but local fish stores rock I think is not much better ....

but I am biased I will admit to using rock from tampabaysaltwater.com -- now that is as "Live" as you will ever find.

[codydemmel4]

well let's put it this way, no rock is ever "live" what we really want to know is about the bacteria and micro-fauna that are good for a reef tank.

from what you said I would expect that while some of the bacteria and such are there they are not in the prime condition of being in a running reef tank.
so I guess I would call this "half alive" :-)

but local fish stores rock I think is not much better ....

but I am biased I will admit to using rock from tampabaysaltwater.com -- now that is as "Live" as you will ever find.

Thank you. I know the rock isnt live haha. I just meant do you think it would still be considered live rock like with the bacteria and etc in those conditions. I greatly appreciate all opinions

[Bent]

I doubt much is still living in it. But after seeing mysis shrimp hatch out of frozen eggs, I wouldn't be shocked if in a few months you still find hitch hikers. Life is pretty resilient.

[nuttyd]

I recently broke down a tank and stored the live rock in a bucket with saltwater without flow for a month. Placed in a new sump and ran pump from end to front for recirculating before connecting to tank. Took less than a week to cycle fully. Connected to tank with sump light and chaeto the week after. Mini bloom of diatoms and thats it. Has balanced again in two weeks. So, would imagine the rock is fine. would expect there to be some cycling when you reintroduce new water and light. Definately be hesitant in adding straight into running tank with corals. Fish only, less concerned.

[nuttyd]

if you can run in seperate cooler with new water and light, would be worth it