new to this

After reading about how cycling is a big part of SW tanks
I was wondering if buying live sand and live rock from someone on craigslist is a good idea? they are taking down their tank and selling their stuff. what do you guys think about this?

 

It can be good if you get it and immediately get it in your tank. If they have pulled it out and had it sitting around for a while not so good.

 

depends on whats growing on the rock, I would leave the sand alone, no telling what its got built up in it.

 

the drive is probably close to 1 hour. he said the tank has been established for close to 1 year now
and the tank is still together, sand still in the water, rocks too

 

Even if you get live rocks and live sand from an establish tank, it is a good idea to cycle your tank but will be much faster. Make sure the live rocks have no unwanted pests and try to get rid of them before getting live stocks.

 

i know i cant bypass the cycling process, but how do i know if the sand and the rocks are in good shape? how can i tell? and how do i "get rid of them"?

 

Ask the seller if he/she have any pest on live rocks. Hopefully the seller will tell you the truth. Even if you have them in your tank and found pest, treat them during the cycling. Good live rocks contain pink coraline algae, feather dusters, tiny brittle stars, small snails and bristle worms.

 

Check for green algae and avoid rock that has any. There are some types which are tough to get rid of. Check out briopsis online so you know what it looks like. Also look for green algae that looks like golf course grass.

 

thanks for the heads up