Is this live rock worth buying?

[TonyHanke]

There's only one lfs near me, that sells indonesian live rock (I'm outside US so those Tampa Bay Saltwater beauties are beyond my reach). Only alternatives are buying either from different city, or other country, but I'd need to cure those rocks, and I want to save sometime (I know, I know nothing in this hobby comes fast)
The staff said that they had put some corals from tanks they tore down in that tub. I also noticed that when I visited this lfs in the past, that had an apitasia problem, but last time I didn't notice any (fortunately I can buy berghia too, I think). Are you able to identify any good and bad guys on the rocks? I know the photo isn't best. I want to buy a piece and use it to seed and cycle a new tank (ambient lighting for the first month), which would be my first (I've been doing my research for a year now). I see some corraline and I think bubble algae. I'd be thankful for any help.

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

I would be eyeing those sponges, however, those will probably only take off if your tank is already established. People used to pay Steve Tyree a fortune for his cryptic sponges.

There is some nuisance algae I can spot. You may need to do some QT beforehand.

 

[TonyHanke]

Those sponges are what I like about that rock the most, unfortunately I don't have any other tank, except for a bucket, and I'd like to put it right in the tank. If I keep it for a month in not so intense lighting, and then just give it a scrub?

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

Those sponges are what I like about that rock the most, unfortunately I don't have any other tank, except for a bucket, and I'd like to put it right in the tank. If I keep it for a month in not so intense lighting, and then just give it a scrub?

Yes, I would do an observation period and continuously remove anything you find undesirable that pops up. This isn't guaranteed to remove everything, as spores and other things could persist, but it does help a lot.

 

[X-37B]

If the pic is the rock it looks good.
Get a cheap tub from home depot and add a heater and powerhead.
Keep an eye on sg and you can keep it for months.
I use all live rock shipped to my house so its dry. Most of the desired sponge do survive.
Any of that live wiil put you in a good starting position. Use 100% from day one.

 

[TonyHanke]

So tou suggest to cure it first? I don't think I have the time (long story)

 

[X-37B]

So tou suggest to cure it first? I don't think I have the time (long story)

No need to cure. Just put it in and let it cycle if any.
In my 150 I put 150lbs of live delivered to my door.
I had coral in within a couple weeks.
Go to my build for more info from day one of all my starts.

2.5 years later.

 

[fishguy242]

I'd say yes,nice rock is hard to come by, good scrub and good to go...

 

[TonyHanke]

I'd say yes,nice rock is hard to come by, good scrub and good to go...

What about sponges and the air, tho?

 

[Subsea]

There's only one lfs near me, that sells indonesian live rock (I'm outside US so those Tampa Bay Saltwater beauties are beyond my reach). Only alternatives are buying either from different city, or other country, but I'd need to cure those rocks, and I want to save sometime (I know, I know nothing in this hobby comes fast)
The staff said that they had put some corals from tanks they tore down in that tub. I also noticed that when I visited this lfs in the past, that had an apitasia problem, but last time I didn't notice any (fortunately I can buy berghia too, I think). Are you able to identify any good and bad guys on the rocks? I know the photo isn't best. I want to buy a piece and use it to seed and cycle a new tank (ambient lighting for the first month), which would be my first (I've been doing my research for a year now). I see some corraline and I think bubble algae. I'd be thankful for any help.

Gorgeous live rock. Get it while it’s available. I see no reason why it should be srubbed of stuff. Put it straight into display tanks. It will establish biofiltration in your new tank. Just circulate and add light.

 

[fishguy242]

What about sponges and the air, tho?

Most will survive,but if possible transfer in buckets/totes of water,PITA ,but worth it...

 

[Subsea]

What about sponges and the air, tho?

I deal with Yellow Ball & Orange Elephant Ear sponges from the Caribbean and in my experiences with them on diver collected live rock, if kept damp with paper towels they last 24-48 hours without collateral damage.