question about live rock...

[Ceph fan]

I am trying to set up a marine aquarium (my first, usually do freshwater) with the eventual goal of octos but since imin school and moving every 4-8 months they mighyt have to wait anyway, i have been doing som reading on these forums and had some questions about live rock (any help is much appreciated):

1. how is it "live"? i assume there is stuff living on it but what kinds of stuff (this is for interest only) like, just bacteria etc. or are thetre actually litte worms/crabs and stuff?

2. how much is needed? i have read that it is usually 1-1.5 pounds per gallon, but was wondering if this is just foroctos or if this goes for any aquarium.

3. where's a good place to get the stuff? do most aquarium specialists have it or are there any preferred webistes to get it from and which is cheaper/better quality?

i think that's about it... any help would be great!

 

[Thales]

1. how is it "live"? i assume there is stuff living on it but what kinds of stuff (this is for interest only) like, just bacteria etc. or are thetre actually litte worms/crabs and stuff?

Live generally refers to the bacteria on/in the rock. Although most fresh/cured LR will have worms crabs and stuff.

2. how much is needed? i have read that it is usually 1-1.5 pounds per gallon, but was wondering if this is just foroctos or if this goes for any aquarium.

Thats a hard question. I think that people use more LR than is needed. I suggest making your tank look nice instead of chasing numbers.

3. where's a good place to get the stuff? do most aquarium specialists have it or are there any preferred webistes to get it from and which is cheaper/better quality?

i think that's about it... any help would be great!

I recommend getting LR locally, preferably from an LFS that has had it long enough for it to cure - otherwise you will be dealing with the die off in your tank. I notice that with shipping, mail ordered rock comes out to about the same price of what you can get in a good LFS.

 

[cthulhu77]

Righty is spot-on...live rock is a great way to introduce a myriad of little critters to your tank (I have found octopus, jellyfish, mantis shrimps, and juvenile gobies in rock purchased ) and certainly makes the tank look very natural...I tend to put in about a pound or so per gallon, but like R. said, make it look good and don't worry about the weight so much...
I would only mail/internet order Live Rock if your local shop just won't carry it...the curing can be a real bugger...it is worth the extra $$$ to buy rock that has been around for a little bit.
greg

 

[Nancy]

If money is no object, you might consider mail ordering from Tampa bay Saltwater. Check out their website. I keep reading messages from people who are very happy with their liverock. They have a special procedure for harvesting it and getting it to you quickly with little dieoff.

Also, many individuals sell off their liverock when they are making changes in their tanks, moving or other reasons. They will advertise on the Marine Aquarium Society's website under the Buy/Sell forums. Worth checking out, if you have one in your area.

Nancy

 

[Ceph fan]

First off, thanks for you help, much appreciated. jus one last question about your reply thoug...

I recommend getting LR locally, preferably from an LFS that has had it long enough for it to cure - otherwise you will be dealing with the die off in your tank. I notice that with shipping, mail ordered rock comes out to about the same price of what you can get in a good LFS.

what do you mean by LFS? it is probably just some acronym i have never heard of but better to clarify...

 

[Nancy]

Oops, everyone asks this question at first! An LFS is a local fish store, that is, your local aquarium store.

Nancy

 

[Ceph fan]

ahh thanks.... i had an idea but not totally sure. thanks!

 

[Thales]

Thanks Nancy! I was sleeping!

 

[flash02161]

I bought all my live rock at the lfs......I wasn't concerned with the lbs/gallon ratio, and i just tried to make it look right, and it ended up being almost exactly 1 lb. per gallon so i guess i just lucked out.....in addition, a friend of mine who is cycling his reef tank had a chocolate chip starfish crawl out the other day.....so far nothin has crept out of mine though....