Buying a used tank green live rock?

[Johnae]

Hey guys I’m getting back into the hobby and found someone locally selling their entire tank. He sent me a picture and it seems to be doing well except the live rock is green. Is that normal? here is the picture. Does the tank look healthy?

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Tank looks great, the rocks will go through different colors, green is one of them. Get itttttttt

 

[Ramdude4G]

Tank looks great, the rocks will go through different colors, green is one of them. Get itttttttt

I agree. My white rock is doing the same thing. It’s covered with a green coralline type algae. And has the purple coming in as well. It’s not like other green algae. Does not wipe or scrub off and the snails don’t phase it.

 

[Johnae]

Tank looks great, the rocks will go through different colors, green is one of them. Get itttttttt

Thanks

 

[Johnae]

I agree. My white rock is doing the same thing. It’s covered with a green coralline type algae. And has the purple coming in as well. It’s not like other green algae. Does not wipe or scrub off and the snails don’t phase it.

Thanks guys For the help

 

[Ramdude4G]

Thanks guys For the help

No problem and good luck with the new tank. Keep the rock in the tank water you drain from the tank when moving to keep it live.

 

[Johnae]

Any tips on transporting everything. It’s about a 15-20 minute distance

 

[Robinski]

I just bought a 2nd hand tank and didn't keep the rock in water during transit. Coraline algae are all starting to bleach now.

 

[adittam]

Any tips on transporting everything. It’s about a 15-20 minute distance

Purchase new sand and make or purchase enough saltwater to do a 50% water change from your LFS ahead of time and have it ready to go at your house.

Pick a warm day to do it, hopefully around 75-80 degrees F. Get enough Rubbermaid totes and lids (5 gallon buckets with lids will work on too, but you’re going to need more of them) to fit all of the rock and livestock in. Siphon tank water into each tote until they are each about half full. Transfer rocks to totes, making sure to only fill them as heavy as you’ll be able to carry, because you’ll want the water level to cover the rocks completely. Do the same with a tote for the livestock. Once all of the rocks and livestock are in totes with lids on them, finish emptying the tank, the remainder of the water and sand can be thrown away. Load everything up and transport to your house. Put an air stone and heater in the bin with the livestock in it, because it’s going in last.

When setting up tank, MAKE SURE IT IS COMPLETELY LEVEL, this is your one shot to do this without having to do all of this again. Once the tank is set up, start by placing the rock in the tank. Then add the new substrate around the rock. Then transfer each bin of old tank water into the tank. Then add the new saltwater. Put a heater and powerheads in the tank to get it up to temp. Once up to temp, transfer livestock over.