Help with live rock

Jeremy Smith · May 27, 2016

I recently got back into the hobby after several years and just had my tank setup. Before I had a couple of tanks, but they were all Fish only, setup with dry base rock and sand. This time I wanted to try some coral in the tank. When I had my tank setup I went with Live Rock this time and that's where my problem is. I know whenever you go with Live Rock you run the risk of a few hitchhikers, I get that. Problem is the rock I got has more than just a couple. Don't get me wrong most are okay, but I've already pulled over a dozen mantis and pistol shrimp and at least half that in crabs. I got most of them by pulling all 150 pounds of rock and doing a freshwater dip. I kept the rock in bins out of the tank, so I could listen for any signs of more and today when I was pulling some of the rock to get ready to start putting it back in the tank, I noticed another crab right away. I really like the rock and it has a lot of nice growth on it, clams, oysters, coralline, halimeda, dragon's breath, among other things. Does anyone know of a way to get rid of the pests without killing everything else, or at least minimize it?

Tahoe61 · May 27, 2016

Welcome. :-)

Have you tried any traps? Sounds like cool rock.

twilliard · May 27, 2016

Welcome to the R2R community!
What you are doing is imo the best way to get them out.
Fresh water dips.
Now you have to disclose where you got the rock ;)

Jeremy Smith · May 27, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
Welcome. :)

Have you tried any traps? Sounds like cool rock.

I tried the inverted coke bottle thing, with no luck.

Jeremy Smith · May 27, 2016

Okay so how long do I "dip" the rock in freshwater? Any idea what's long enough to force them out without killing everything? I got the rock from the local fish store when I purchased everything else.