liverock

[troni]

I have a 20 gallon f/w and I grew up with my dad having a f/w. I'm planning on setting up my 75 gal in a marine system so I'm investigating prices and of course research. I came across jlaquatics to see they're liverock uncured costs about 18 cents a pound, selling at under 9 dollars a box and each box being about 55 lbs. From what I read it makes me puzzled cause I thought live rock varied from about 1.50 to 5 dollars a pound. Or is that for cured rock?
On another note I've read about 1 lbs per gallon of liverock. But what if I buy say fiji rock that's light but same surface area wouldn't it be the same.<conformation?
I'm planning of having a DIY sump and that where ill put most of my rock. But for later on when I get ahang of things and add corrals do I use live rockas a foundation?

[CACAdmin]

I'm a newbie at this, having just set up my first s/w tank.

You were right to wonder about the 18 cents a pound. It definitely didn't sound right, so I checked jlaquatics site for prices (http://www.jlaquatics.com/info/366/Liverock.html). Their prices are listed per pound not per box and range from a minimum of $8.49 lb (for less than 55 lbs.) to $7.35 for amounts greater than 400 lbs.

I bought my live rock at Paul's Aquarium (http://www.paulsaquarium.com/). I can't recall how much he charges per pound but I don't think it's that much (I could be wrong). You can always send him an email and inquire.

However, if I recall correctly, you're in Edmonton. Shipping will be expensive (rock is heavy), so you'd be better to try to find some locally.

I used some rock which I had already from other tanks as base rock (Texas Holey and Tufa) and just used some live rock on top to get the tank cycled. The reason you use live rock is that there is always die-off creating ammonia which gets the tank cycling started.

Hopefully, someone with a little more experience and knowledge of sumps (I don't have one) will drop by with more info. In the meantime, check out this thread (lots of info): Dipping a toe ! (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7354&highlight=Dipping)

[fishykisses]

take a look on craigslist in your area as well. You can find nice live rock for usually $3 per/lb from people tearing down their tanks.

[vince0]

You can get dry rock for $3 a pound just about anywhere. You can also find live rock from people shutting down their tank at around that same price. Canreef.com is a good place to find some, or Albertaaquatica.com. Sorry to advertise other sites jay, let me know if there's something wrong with it. I bought my rock dry at $3/lb, and then seeded by buying a few pounds of live rock and waiting. If you can find live rock rather than dry rock, you will be better off this way.

[troni]

thanks for the info. but i can't find anywhere or im missing do you use live rock to create a coral base?

[vince0]

huh? live rock is there to give bacteria and lower life forms a place to live. It is essentially your filtration.

[troni]

Well what do people make the big coral reefs out of?

[vince0]

live or dry rock

[CACAdmin]

As Vince said, people use one or the other or both. Because live rock is more expensive, people often use an assortment of dry rock for the base and top off with a number of pieces of live rock.