liverock for purchase online

kurt · Mar 11, 2012

I'm not sure if this is the right category to post this thread in. But I was wondering if anyone had ever purchase liverock and other things from saltysupply.com and if the customer service was good along with quality of the liverock. I live in Alberta, Canada so would it even be worth my time to order liverock in case it dies?

Thanks in advance

kurt · Mar 11, 2012

Their offices are located in Florida, so I'm assuming they ship from Florida as well.

Glenn · Mar 11, 2012

I claim no knowledge about importing rock from the USA to Canada - you're on your own for that.

IMO, the disadvantage to getting live rock via delivery is not being able to pick out the shapes that you want. You'll get LARGE or small pieces based on what the distributor has available. Aside from that, you can generally get some good prices (even with shipping) from internet companies.

As for 'die off', YES - you will have some but this is easily accounted for by not putting the rock into a tank with any creatures. If you are using it to cycle your Display Tank (DT), then unbox it, scrape the rock with a toothbrush and some premixed salt water, then place into the tank with a good protein skimmer for a 'few weeks.' If you want the rock to supplement an existing tank, due the same thing but in a bucket/trash can (clean !!!)/other tank and let it cycle for a few weeks.

Rockadile · Mar 11, 2012

I do not recommend it. You will get a multitude of unwanted pests such as pistol shrimp, mantis shrimp, and all kinds of algae. Just not a good idea.

A guy in my area got some recently and found 4 mantis shrimp in it. Spent hours trying to get it all cleaned up before he ended up just saying screw it and ditching it all.

IMO your best bet is to get a couple pieces of live rock from your lfs and then adding dry rock for the rest.