best deals on live rock?

[mrbill]

Hi there,
Anyone know where to get the best deals on good live rock? Also thanks for the info on the T5 lighting.

 

[ChrisRD]

What type of live rock are you looking for? Something from the Pacific, or the Florida aquacultured stuff?

 

[SnowManSnow]

If you can find what you're looking for locally it will save you a crapload of shipping (which could be used for MORE LR!)
OR
You may check eBay, I've actaully seen some pretty good deals there, even WITH shipping. Just check out the seller's feedback to make sure he sells stuff that PPL are happy with.

B.

 

[mrbill]

The price of LR at our LFS is $6.99 lb. and it doesn't look as nice as some of the pictures they show you on the web. As far as type Of rock I'm interested in, I've only see pictures of the aquacultured rock ( tampa bay saltwaters web site, etc.) How does it compare to the pacific rock?

 

[shawnz28]

If you are going to purchase online you might want to consider asking your LFS if they would order you fresh uncured rock in. If they will this should be cheaper and will probably look more like what you are seeing online.

 

[Meloco14]

There are so many different variables when picking out live rock, it would be best to decide what kind of look you want, how much stuff you want on it (hitchhikers), how much you want to spend, etc. If you want the best, there are some places with really good looking live rock, in terms of colors of coralline algae and hitchhikers like macro and corals, but it will cost you. This includes places like Tampa Bay Saltwater, and Dr. Mac corals, and anywhere you can find walt smith premium LR. If you want the best "deal" in terms of price, the rock probably wont have much on it, and wont be too colorful. The pacific rock has a much different look than the caribbean stuff, though I don't know what TBS uses as its aquacultured rock, it might be just limestone. But haiti and jamaica LR is basically dead elkhorn coral. With the pacific stuff you can find pieces that look more like actual rock as opposed to dead coral. Then there is also branch rock, and other coral-like shapes available. If you are looking for middle of the road LR in terms of looks and price, I like exoticfish.com, and I have heard mixed reviews about liveaquaria.com. I have ordered caribbean LR from etropicals.com, it was pretty cheap, but pretty plain looking. But if thats all you want it's a good deal. Check out diff sites with pics and once you have a clearer idea of what you want someone might know a good place to order it from. HTH

 

[Kevin Lloyd]

I have 150 lbs. in my 90 gallon that I got from Floridaliverock.com they use to be called Gulfview.com but I think he changed the name so if one doens't work try the other. This rock has a lot of corraline alge on it and is very colorful. I was pleased with it and do recommend it. Plus the guy, Dale, was very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Do dip the rock well when you get it though, as I did have a Mantis shrimp living on the rock.

 

[mrbill]

thanks for all your input. I went back to my LFS where I ordered my tank and he gave me a deal on 60# of bali LR plus I picked up 25# of his base rock all for 20% off. As my last post said I'm cycling now.
thanks again,
Bill

 

[benthos]

something I did to save bunch of money was to buy reef bones off ebay. Basically dry rock to use as your base rock, void of all life. with shipping it comes to less than $2 a lb. Then you can go to your LFS and buy a few peices of Their rock to finish it off.

 

[CaptainDave]

I've heard good things about the live rock from Reefer Madness, anybody have any experience with them?

 

[kusanagiz]

ordered from reefermadness w/ regards to the cleaner crew but not LR. I was pleased w/ the transaction. Was able to save on shipping cost by going directly to the warehouse to pick it up. If you happen to live in the LA area then you'll save a GRIP on LR shipping costs at places like
reefermadness or exoticfish