How much is live rock worth

[ScottR]

I know of only one LFS in my area that sells actual ocean rock. It’s fun picking them out because you can kind of see what types of hitchhikers you’re getting (of course not all).

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Not to sound mean but I wouldn’t trade a bag of gummy bears for that rock. Not to mention ten dollars a pound, ahh that’s a definite nope. I have seen some gorgeous rock that is worth that, and there is a difference. Be careful my lfs has live rock and they say it’s been seeded and has also this purple coraline errrrrrr except they painted them purple. There are places that have painted their live rocks and if you have been in this hobby for some time will know the diffence. Yet, if brand new there is no way I could tell but in all they took dead rock or man made rock and painted it purple with a special paint, and stuck it in water.

Though from the picture you posted sorry but I still wouldn’t trade a bag of gummy bears for it, yet alone buy it. As matter of fact I gave three good rocks away today and have been in my tank for 19 months, and going to do more. My corals and fish need more room so rocks that tucked far in the back etc I’m removing and I still have some in my sump.

 

[James_O]

Sort of an old post, but my KFS sells live rock for $6/lb. That’s fairly good, right?

 

[melonheadorion]

Sort of an old post, but my KFS sells live rock for $6/lb. That’s fairly good, right?

i would think about average. i just bought some at 7$ a pound

 

[James_O]

i would think about average. i just bought some at 7$ a pound

There’s a guy selling some beautiful purple/red ones on Craigslist for only $2/lb, but he is located a long ways away. :/

 

[Pico bam]

I usually sell my my rock for 1-2$ a pound. But its been dried a long time... 8$ is going price for premium live rock up here in Minnesota, at least that's what I've found. Definitely wouldn't pay much more.

 

[Pistondog]

How much is live rock from someone else's, not a stores, tank? They are saying $10/lb, but I think $3 per pound is fair?

I think your $3 price is right on.
You can buy live rock from the ocean, shipped to your door for $5/lb. And it is premium, gorgeous.

 

[James_O]

The 1lb/1 gallon of tank water is complete overkill - I’m not spending $175+ just to get rock for my 29g.

No, I’ll get some limestone and make a foundation, and then put the live rock on top of there.

 

[Ghost25]

I think your $3 price is right on.
You can buy live rock from the ocean, shipped to your door for $5/lb. And it is premium, gorgeous.

From where?!?

 

[Pistondog]

From where?!?

Gulfliverock.com

 

[Ghost25]

Gulfliverock.com

I didn't realize theirs was that cheap. Nonetheless I've read multiple accounts of bad experiences with them. Packages showing up reeking of ammonia etc.

 

[Thereefdoc]

One of my LfS sells bali live rock for 25$/lb (insanely expensive) but the rock is beautiful and pristine with not one bad thing on it. It’s covered in coralline and other colorful things. The other sells for 4$ a pound and the only good thing about it is the bacteria. It doesn’t look as nice and it has tons of annoying hitchhikers. Back when I started my first tank I bought fiji live rock for 1$/lb from a hobbyist.

 

[mdb_talon]

Sort of an old post, but my KFS sells live rock for $6/lb. That’s fairly good, right?

Like most of the other posts no way to know without seeing the rock. If it looks just like dry rock then likely not in my opinion.

 

[Pistondog]

I didn't realize theirs was that cheap. Nonetheless I've read multiple accounts of bad experiences with them. Packages showing up reeking of ammonia etc.

Of course, you must be aware of what you are purchasing and how it is shipped, your choice.
Everyone has different expectations.