Mail Order Show Quality Live Rock?

[SanDiegoBryan]

I'd like to order some live rock. I don't care about the shape, or size, I would just like to get some with a lot of developed coralline algae, maybe some cool worms, and other small organisms.

Where can I buy safely on the web?
San Diego Secrets?
Los Angeles Secrets?

I need only like 50 lbs to replace the lava rock I have as base rock - it doesn't work well.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[neurotech]

I have never bought from, bought love the web site at Gulf-view.com. (Florida though).

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there, just wanted to let you know in the event you order show rock from somewhere. Show quality rock is not prettier rock, it's bigger rock. Show is a size, not a gauge of how good it looks.

Didn't want you to order show rock from somewhere and then blast them cause it looks like regular fiji premium only bigger.

HTH,
JP

 

[VkeSu]

FFExpress has good sale $ right now on tonga . Will be getting some in for new tank in a week or so.

Exoticfish. is where I purchased years ago. Had lots of life and looked good also.

 

[stevescg]

The stuff (100+ lbs) I got from FFexpress was crap

 

[morepunkthanewe]

The rock I have gotten from Sea Critters has always been top quality. Lots of coralline algae, macro algae, bryazoans, tunicates, and corals. Not much dies off so it cycles extremely fast. Theresa at Sea Critters is a big help. www.sea-critters.com

 

[GMH320]

Try Gulf-view. They have some call Deco, I believe, which is the best I've ever seen. The pieces I got had clams, tube worms, Halmedia, lace coral and some othe type of SPS that I can't identify. Call Dale and let him know exactly what size and shape pieces you want.

 

[naesco]

Go for aquacultured rock. Get 30% of what you need. Than, buy piece by piece.
If you fill your tank too full at the start as most do, you can't get those beautiful pieces you see at the LFS from time to time.
In addition the latest rage is that reefers really only need half of what they are presently using anyway so why waste the money.

 

[jussmeac]

I have had my 50lbs of LR rock Dale at gluf-view.com for about 2 weeks now and have been VERY happy. Cycle took less then 2 weeks and every day I discover new stuff growing.

Highly Recommended!!

 

[amber]

I ordered from Jeff's and while I can't say it was lousy, I wasn't happy either. I've heard that other places actually put the rock in a plastic bag to keep it moist. This was just all together in in styrofoam box. HTH

 

[desktopsilver]

i ordered from marine depot,and the rock has just finnished curing and i am extreemly happy,,,coraline and low die off,,just the normal fiji cured at 99 a box,,,great walt smith stuff

 

[newreefman1]

Bryan,

Why not go locally and avoid shipping. I know that Ron at octopuss gardens sells whole boxes(straight from LA) 45 lbs.....for a very reasonable price. Forget exactly but it beats anything mail order. Its right off convoy. Call em up if you havent been there as they are hard to find your 1st time. Thats your best bet. Buy Local and avoid the mail.

Jason.

 

[samurai9]

Yes, Bryan , South Cal is, besides, Florida, the heart of the reef community! Everything is down there, especially in the Los Angeles area. Lucky you

 

[KanUCme]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by newreefman1:
<strong>I know that Ron at octopuss gardens sells...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I go there to buy my corals and I have never been dissapointed in the quality, sometimes, especially now with the lack of buying and power prices, they are a little pricey on somethings, but it is worth it. Octopus Gardens is located on Raytheon Rd. off of convoy, he is in a business complex that is painted a pink/brown color on the right hand side in the back of the complex. HTH

 

[SanDiegoBryan]

Thanks Guys!! I try to visit Ron at least once a month - I just bought my Bubble Tip from him..

There is also Aquatic Warehouse, but its way too retail for me..


Thanks for the suggestions!!

 

[massattack]

I had 45lbs. delivered to my door from anchofish for $149. The stuff was awsome.(fiji transhipped) Would buy again.

 

[a novice]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by naesco:
<strong>Go for aquacultured rock. Get 30% of what you need. Than, buy piece by piece.
If you fill your tank too full at the start as most do, you can't get those beautiful pieces you see at the LFS from time to time.
In addition the latest rage is that reefers really only need half of what they are presently using anyway so why waste the money.</strong><hr></blockquote>

The question is : Where can it be bought online?

 

[neurotech]

both gulf-view.com and tampabaysaltwater.com have aquacultured rock.

 

[Derek]

You might consider Jeff's Exotic fish. The first box I got a box of Savini(?) had great coraline, several SPSs spots that have gotten larger and a leather which is now about the size of a quarter across when closed.

The rock was in great shape and had the best variety of coraline - red, oranges, greens and that blue that Marshal Island roch used to have. I have had Florida, Marshal Island, Figi and some kind of Somoan and this rock has the largest variety of coraline I have seen.

Obviously YMMV.

Derek

 

[HARRISON]

Hey There,

I shop most of the places in and around San Diego regularly. Most of the places here have the same old live rock without much growing on it. Alot of it is white too. If you want to get good rock with lots growing on it you will have to buy from someone breaking down a system or mail order. If you want a specific size then go to Ron's. I was in there tonight. He gets a fresh load every Friday. AW gets there stuff on Mondays as does Jungles and Oceans in El Cajon. Not sure about Clairemont or Fountains since the service is so crappy I stopped going in...

Bryan, Drop me an e-mail sometime. Would like to hear about what your building.

HARRISON