So, what's the best, most economical way to buy live rock?

[jloLC]

I will need to fill a 29 gal with rock within the next few weeks. My local store has som nice rock but it's very spendy. I've heard good things about Tampa Bay Saltwater's "packages" but I prefer sand (not crushed coral) as my substrate and would be concerned about having to pick out the bad hitchikers that come in the packages. Need your expert input!

 

[mojoreef]

Well lots of ways. If you are part of a club you could ask for a bit of seed rock from other members and then just by dry or dead rock. Lots of stuff in the classifieds here on RF. Lots of time if a sponsor or a store knows your just getting into the hobby they will give you a good deal because they know you will come back. Lots of ways you just got to be creative!

Welcome to Reef Frontiers to!!!

Mojo

 

[jloLC]

Oops! Didn't mean to post tis thread here!

 

[jloLC]

Thanks!

 

[akunochi]

Also look for people tearing tanks down. That's how I always get my dry/live rock on the cheap!

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF!!! :welcome:. Most economical would be to go with base rock and seed it with rock from another tank, but with a 29 gal, you really wouldn't need a whole lot of rock so if you wanted to go 50/50 with base and liverock, that is pretty good option. Save a few bucks on not buying the expensive liverock, but have some liverock to help speed up the cycle. Pro's and con's against all types of rock though going from price, to having/not having beneficial bacteria to start out with, to nuicance algae and pests/ or cool hitcvhhikers like feather dusters etc, to shorter cycle time, to a longer cycle so it's all what you are really after. Most economically friendly way or something else. Some people start out scratch with purely base rock and seed it themselves which will take a bit longer to build up the necessary beneficial bacteria, but you don't risk the chance of trasferring something bad to your tank and it is the cheapest route. For me, I always went with 100% liverock and no base which I've been fortunate with. We actually have a poll going on right now on live rock. Here is the link if you want to check it out. http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/f36/poll-what-type-rock-61415/

 

[YamahaF934]

I dont have much to spare but I could find a seed rock to give you. and also a cup of sand to get yours going. All of which are pest FREE. I am in Lewiston fishing all the time, so we can work out something out.

 

[jloLC]

I dont have much to spare but I could find a seed rock to give you. and also a cup of sand to get yours going. All of which are pest FREE. I am in Lewiston fishing all the time, so we can work out something out.

Thanks! That's very kind of you but it's not the seeding I'm worried about, it's the quantity of new rock I have to purchase to aquascape my new 29 gallon. I've decided to keep my 12 gal FOWLR going for now so I could certainly steal a little sand or rock from that. Thanks though! :cheer2:

 

[YamahaF934]

Well a 29 gallon will not need a lot of rock. But what we are trying to say and what I did was order dead rock online which is considerably cheaper and add some live rock to seed the dead rock. Which in a month or so will be come live.

Check out Bulkreefsupply.com and reefcleaners.org for some rock. I am looking to add some more rock to my tank so let me know if you are going to place an order and I will go in with you.

You may also check out Aquatic Dreams up in Spokane. He has a lot of live rock at good prices.

 

[jloLC]

Well a 29 gallon will not need a lot of rock. But what we are trying to say and what I did was order dead rock online which is considerably cheaper and add some live rock to seed the dead rock. Which in a month or so will be come live.

Check out Bulkreefsupply.com and reefcleaners.org for some rock. I am looking to add some more rock to my tank so let me know if you are going to place an order and I will go in with you.


You may also check out Aquatic Dreams up in Spokane. He has a lot of live rock at good prices.

Oh yes, I completely understand what you are suggesting. I just love the idea of buying pretty rock with coralline already covering it. Blame that on my love of pink and purple. So, the question I should ask now then is how long does it take for coralline to begin spread to the dead rock? I don't have any new growth in my current FOWLR because my lighting sucks, at least I think that's the reason. Will I get better spread/growth with higher quality lighting?