Ready for some live rock

Hi all. Okay, I'm ready to get some live rock. What should I look for when picking out and where are some good places to get some good pieces?

 

You looking localy or on line ? I myslef would not buy any with anything live on the rock's what you want is good clean rock with bacteria not algae or plants or sponges or growths and any meaty looing what evers and look into any hole and crannies to see if there are any killer tank eating crabs then after you get it take it lay it out lay it on a plastic sheet hose it off and let it set to drive out any unwanted hitch hickers dep inside any holes .

 

Thanks, Tangster. I am open to buying online but will probably look some locally as well. Also, how much should I use in a new 55 g setup?

 

When I first started my tank (back in Feb) I thought that it was essential to pay the extra for live rock. Looking back though, if I was start again, I would save money and opt for regular dead rock. Live rock costs a lot more and sometimes comes with the added fun of hitchhikers. Whilst some of these can be beneficial for your tank, most are not (especially the crabs).

With regards to how much rock that is mainly down to personnel choice on asthetics and what sort of tank you wish to keep. ie mainly fish and a few corals or mainly corals and a few fish?

If you look through the tank pics here you will some tanks with token amounts of rock work and some with vast amounts. All look great and all are designed according to slightly different preferences.

I would buy less rock than you need, put it in the tank and then see if you want some more.

 

I totally agree about Live rock , I always used dead base rock myself and Used to tell people this but there was always the wounders of Biodiversity guy lurking to counter what ever was said so . I myseld would never add a rock with anything living on it . It started out as a fast shot of needed bacteria then like with everything else in this hobby it was thought to death then it was about the critters on it beats me how people think Let me buy some problems Now days I just say hey wash , inspect , then wash it again . There is a on line place that sells base rick cheap and shipping is not bad really . If I can recall its name I'll post it for you..or if I forget just P/M me to remember

 

Live Rock and Live Sand: Live Saltwater Aquarium Rock and Sand
Here is where I bought mine and it was pretty good, had a lot of coralline and the price was reasonable considering the weight, there is others here that can address you better, you can see the pics of mine under photos r34dawn

 

Marco Rocks The finest aquarium rock available, base rock, live rock, reef rock, marco rock, reef tank saltwater fish, live corals, Marco rocks, Fiji live rock, Tonga Live rock