Cured live rock question

[Dubge]

I noticed in the local want ad that someone had 400-600 lbs or cured live rock for sale (about 10 mins from me) for 4.50 lb
Now not knowing much about live rock, is this a good deal and can this be added to my tank without causing problems? This is my first salt water tank and it just finished cycling a couple weeks ago.

thanks
Ray

 

[bond007069]

that is a pretty sweet deal, rock is expensive, highest about 10 bucks a # in ohio

 

[Meloco14]

If it is a private seller you would have to look at his setup and find out how long he has had the rock for to know if it is truly cured or not. If he has had the rock in a circulating tank for over a month it is probably fine. You can buy this rock, transport it in buckets of saltwater, and place it directly into your tank without another cycle. You only need to cure rock if there has been die off, usually due to shipping, but if you buy this direct from him and keep it wet it should be fine. If you are skeptical about the seller, just bring an ammonium and nitrate/nitrite test kit with you when you go buy, and test the water the rock is kept in. If all levels are 0, then it is cured. And for that price, it is a very good deal, since you dont pay shipping or tax. If it is not truly cured when you get it, it is still a good price and you can cure it yourself in a clean trash can or spare tank.