Live rock in NJ

[Talonstorm]

I hate to ask this question as it is location dependent, but can someone PLEASE recommend a place to buy live rock in/around NJ, even within 2-3 hours drive from here (I am near North Brunswick, NJ). I have been to a lot of local fish stores and have been unable to find any decent live rock (one place wanted 10.99/lb for rock that looked to be infested with hair algae). I really don't want to have to buy online and deal with shipping and such, plus I have heard such horror stories. Any place in Philly, NYC area, etc? Anyone local who wants to sell me some of their rock? I am looking for 30-45 lbs depending on density of the rock. It is for a 30 gallon Oceanic cube.

Thanks so much!
Tina

 

[Anonymous]

Absolutely Fish, Clifton NJ... 8 bucks a pound. Ask for it, they have it in the back.

~wings~

 

[FragMaster]

http://www.absolutelyfish.com/HomePage.htm

Heres the adress and phone number.
1080 US Route 46 West Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone Number: (973)-365-0200

NICE STORE TOO!!!
I was there last year on my way back from a seminar.

 

[yukon11]

I second Absolutely Fish! Great guys who work there! Buy most of my stuff from them. Not only in the back do they have LR but there is some rock in there main tanks for sale with lots of coral etc. Some more pricey then others but nice coralline coated and all.

I do have to say the ordering online for me was awesome!!!!

Go to.... http://www.premiumaquatics.com/

Call them up and see what they have in stock and describe the size, color you want and they come through. The price is right and the cured stuff I ordered I had NO problem with..... Check out the Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show - Fully Cured and the Marshall Cured!

Looks great in my tank.... A bit older pic but gives ya an idea!

 

[Anonymous]

yukon11, do you have a current pic of your setup? Looks like a nice start!

~wings~

 

[minibowmatt]

That Fish Place in Lncaster County Pa, There are several places in Philly where the rock runs 3.50-5.99$ p/pound. 8.99 per pound is waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced.. it better be spectacular rock IMO.

 

[Talonstorm]

I finally did buy from That Fish place. I am not at all impressed with the rock, I for a mix of Solomon Island and Figi, no life seen so far (except a tad of coraline algae, and it has been about 10 days since I added it to the tank. It will get better in time, but I didn't get any hitch-hikers that I can see. But, the price wasn't terrible, it ranged from 4.99/lb to 5.99/lb depending on the type. And at least I didn't get any bad guys (I didn't order Florida rock for fear of the cirolanid isopods).

Tina

 

[quilty]

I did buy from that fish place... I drove out there from NYC (its around 2 hours...) It's.. ok. I admit I am new to the hobby, but it seems rather bare compared to what everyone has. No hitchhikers, the peices were not very easy to work with, but maybe it's just me.

I'm jealous of yukon's aquascaping

 

[johns120]

I recommend the following online. Even after paying the $1.29 per pound shipping cost it is still cheaper and better quality-especially if you buy the more expensive rock.
http://liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=393
Besides, with todays gas prices, driving a distance must be factored into cost.

 

[Talonstorm]

The one thing I did like about buying it at That Fish Place was that I got to pick out my own pieces. Here is a picture of the tank with just the rock from That Fish Place in it:

There was not a lot of life on it, some pods (no evil isopods though) and a few tiny tube coral (that I have lost since rearranging the rock). After adding a clean-up crew though, it looks like some coralline algae is starting to make a comeback.

Tina

PS - Here is a picture of the tank 1 month later, I added some caribbean live rock purchased online, it was horribly packed and shipped and stank, but I learned a valuable lesson from it.

The tank has gone through its cycle, a diatom outbreak and a grean algae outbreak. The clean-up crew was added 1 week ago and is doing an awesome job. :lol: