Adding live rock from ocean to established reef tank

[s.katyarmal]

I am running 100 gallons reef tank for past six months with no issues. I started with pukani dry rocks with various bottled bacteria. While I am in my Hawaii lazing on beach I am thinking of adding small pieces of live rocks to this tank to increase biodiversity of beneficial bacteria. All of my major params are with in normal range.
Ph 8.3
Alkalinity 8.4
Nitrates 0
Ammonia 0
Calcium 470
Magnesium 1300
Phosphate?? Don’t have current measurement

Do you think this is good idea or leave it alone as there is no problems to solve I don’t want to create one....

 

[cristata.reef]

Nope! Collection of live rock and corals in Hawaii is illegal and can land you a hefty fine and possibly even some jail time. Not worth it

 

[s.katyarmal]

Thanks for quick response!!!

 

[cristata.reef]

No problem! In the long run, you're much better off purchasing things anyways since you have a lower risk of pests and diseases. And trust me, Hawaiian reefs have lots of mantis shrimps

 

[Subsea]

I see little reason to add diver collected live rock for bacteria diversity,when you can get bacteria cultures in a bottle. I embrace real live rock for diversity of micro fana & fauna as well as higher life forms:


http://www.gulfliverock.com/premium-decorative-rock.html

Premium Decorative Live Rock is our most popular rock. This rock will have thick coralline algae on it and a mixed variety of plants, animals, hard and soft corals, sponges and so much more. This type of rock has an enormous variety of animal and encrusting marine life.The shapes and sizes are extremely unique. This rock could contain multi-colored christmas tree worms, cup and tube corals, feather dusters, gorgonians, serpulid worms and encrusting clams.

This rock is fully blanketed with colorful coralline algae's, these algae's come in multitudes of fascinating shades of purple, reds, oranges, peaches and yellows. Most rocks contain bryzoans,orange leather sponge,gracilaria algae,halimeda, sea grapes, cluster corals, and cup corals. All of our premium decorative live rocks contain seeded plant life,both macro and micro algae.All pieces are hand collected fresh from our gulf lease site by our diving staff and shipped directly to our customers.We do not use any chemicals in our process. The rocks pictured are for example only. All of our premium decorative live rock is as good or better than the rocks pictured. This is Florida Aquacultured live rock.

All of our live rock comes from our personal Federal Aquaculture Lease site located 10 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. All of our rock was planted on the ocean floor in 1994. So you can image how much marine life has grown on it in over the last 15 years. We have live rock in all different sizes and we can custom fit your order. Our premium decorative live rock starts at $5 a pound. We offer wholesale prices on larger volume orders.

 

[s.katyarmal]

Thanks Subsea. I will definitely try this on my new dream build.