Where to buy live rock in the East Bay - California?

I'm trying to start my 30 gallon cube and I need live rock. I don't have a ton of money right now, but I would like maybe 25-30 pounds to get me started. Does anyone know where I can buy some in the East Bay? I know a place in SF but wanted to know if there is somewhere closer. Also is 20 lbs of sand enough for a 30 gallon cube? Thanks for any help. I'm just getting started.

 

i found some live rock on craigslist. This guy is selling 35# of fiji that was in his tank for a couple of years plus 30# of oolite live sand for $100. I think i will just buy that. Would this not take as long to cycle since it was already in an active tank?

 

If it has been out of the water for any length of time, the bacteria and other organisms will have died. You will have to "seed" your tank with some live rock or live sand and this will take just as long or longer to cycle your tank.


Jim

 

In the East Bay off the top of my head... Octopus' Garden off of Ashby on Shattuck. Lucky Goldfish on Broadway in Oakland.

 

I've seen that octopus garden place before but never been inside. I want to try to go there sometime. I think this liverock was directly from this guys tank into a bucket full of tank water and he kept a heater and powerhead in it until i got there to pick it up. So hopefully there isn't much die off from me driving it home in a liquid packed bucket.

 

That sounds like it will be fine, depending on how long it sat in that bucket waiting for you. Here's the thing: take the time and prepare for the longest cycle time. If it takes shorter, then bonus, know what I am saying? If you read some of the threads on here under the new to 3reef section you will see the benefit of taking the time to do things the right way. Test your water often and record the values. You should be able to tell when your tank is ready. GL to you and
GLTA