Live Rock...is this good??

Adam_T · Jan 1, 2010

So I am getting 85# of Live Rock from a guy on another forum tomorrow, and he just sent over some pics and I was wondering what you guys thought. He is selling all 85# to me for $100 since he is dropping to a real small tank (couldn't pass up this price). The picture quality isn't good but meh...

The rock is Fiji Premium and has been in his 90gal tank for 2 years now with no problems. I am just curious about all the green plant life on it and wondering if that is a good thing or a bad thing? And how to get rid of it. (cleaner crew? tangs? haha) Here are the pics...

ilovereef · Jan 1, 2010

plants are good for marine tank, is this a fish only tank? tangs and some other fish will eat it eventually. perfect for a reef though.

Azurel · Jan 1, 2010

Some macro is a pain, but that kind growing on it isn't so bad and grows slow......Good live rock has life on it that is why it is called live rock( not being a smart butt). It is a shame that Live rock to day has very little life on it but bactria, back 20 years go all lie rock had macro corals and life on it.....I wouldn't worry unless it has like grape caulerpa or other caulerpa macro. That is a pain to get rid of and can keep coming back even after you think you got rid of it.

Adam_T · Jan 1, 2010

I am going to be putting in my first reef tank. Got everything I need setup and ready to go and now I just need to add rock, and eventually fish and corals. Cleaner crew will thrive on that stuff too right?

JNye · Jan 1, 2010

to me its worth the same as dry rock. so whatever that costs locally. I can get dry rock for about $2 a LB maybe less if I wait long enough.

Adam_T · Jan 1, 2010

PTR said:
to me its worth the same as dry rock. so whatever that costs locally. I can get dry rock for about $2 a LB maybe less if I wait long enough.

What do you mean? Rock with as much coralline algae as this rock has (in other pics) costs like $8.99 per pound and higher at my LFS's.

Adam_T · Jan 1, 2010

Azurel said:
Some macro is a pain, but that kind growing on it isn't so bad and grows slow......Good live rock has life on it that is why it is called live rock( not being a smart butt). It is a shame that Live rock to day has very little life on it but bactria, back 20 years go all lie rock had macro corals and life on it.....I wouldn't worry unless it has like grape caulerpa or other caulerpa macro. That is a pain to get rid of and can keep coming back even after you think you got rid of it.

So is this something I should KEEP on the rock or get rid of?

Azurel · Jan 1, 2010

I would keep it if you have algea eaters they will eventually eat it anyway......That kind there is a Halimeda sp. Google that and you should gt all the info you need to make a decision.

Ike · Jan 2, 2010

I see some bubble algae, which is something to consider...

amore169 · Jan 2, 2010

Ike said:
I see some bubble algae, which is something to consider...

+1 I would try to get rid of that bubble algae before adding it to the tank.

JNye · Jan 2, 2010

Adam_T said:
What do you mean? Rock with as much coralline algae as this rock has (in other pics) costs like $8.99 per pound and higher at my LFS's.

i'm not much of a fan of live rock. dry rock is just as good without the pest hitchikers. and with that rock being covered in algeas basically, if I bought it I would just dry it out.

sprinklerdudes · Jan 2, 2010

I am tight when it comes to purchasing anything for my hobbies, but I'd gladly give 100 for 85 # that had that much life on it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, It just depends on what plans you have for your aquarium, if you want a "sterile " environment, buy dead dry rock go bare bottom etc, I like the life, I like the sand, I like all the little critters. it adds interest and depth. I am always looking for interesting pieces of live rock. But I don't have thousands of dollars in special fish, and I don't buy $1800.+ frags either. So I can afford to deal with the occasional pest. Just my 2 cents. welcome 2 R2R.

J. Montgomery · Jan 2, 2010

IMO, that rock looks funky. I wouldn't want to start a reef tank with rock that already has an algae problem.

Ike · Jan 2, 2010

I see some caulerpa as well... I'd look elsewhere for rock.

Lazys Coral House · Jan 2, 2010

That is a great price and I would jump on it. If you are concerned about the algae you could put it in a 1-3 ratio of Muratic Acid and Water mix for a few hours. Then rinse a few times and let dry out before adding to your tank.

Adam_T · Jan 2, 2010

Picked up the rock earlier today, brought it home and picked, plucked and used an algae scrubber and got all of it off. And besides the Algae, this rock had a lotttt of life on it. There are Zoas and Shrooms covering this stuff!

Also, it was more around 110# when I brought it home and weighed it. Yes, it is all in the tank for now but I will be needing to get rid of some of it soon b/c it is WAY too much for a 55gal in my opinion. I want more room for my fishies to swim. Any takers?

sprinklerdudes · Jan 3, 2010

heading to alabama any time soon?

BayCorals · Jan 3, 2010

PTR said:
i'm not much of a fan of live rock. dry rock is just as good without the pest hitchikers. and with that rock being covered in algeas basically, if I bought it I would just dry it out.

+1

Great deal. I would buy it and dry it out, bake it.

Ike · Jan 3, 2010

Adam_T said:
Picked up the rock earlier today, brought it home and picked, plucked and used an algae scrubber and got all of it off. And besides the Algae, this rock had a lotttt of life on it. There are Zoas and Shrooms covering this stuff!

Also, it was more around 110# when I brought it home and weighed it. Yes, it is all in the tank for now but I will be needing to get rid of some of it soon b/c it is WAY too much for a 55gal in my opinion. I want more room for my fishies to swim. Any takers?

If you don't already have a good cleanup crew I'd suggest getting one that includes some emerald crabs to help prevent the bubble algae from coming back.