Newish and question regarding curing live or dead rock

[Aaron Mueller]

Howdy all,
I’m starting a 70 gallon after 10 years removed from reefing. I am wondering if I should cure my rock myself or trust in the rock at my local shop. I have plenty of time due to the fact that I have to wait paycheck to paycheck. I also will be using water from the local water purifing vending machine for lack of a better phrase. Should I go with live or dead. Both sides tend to scare me since I don’t want to be having to scrape off dead things from dead rock and I love seeing the things live rock can bring even though there may be something bad with them. All rock I purchase will be done from the lfs

 

[Big G]

Welcome to R2R, Aaron! The way things are today, I would be very leery of putting anything "wet" from any source. You just don't know what you are going to get: diseases, pests, chemicals, etc. Some diseases like Uronema do not need a fish to stay alive, and is deadly and frequently found these days for example.

I'd consider getting "dry" rock that you seed yourself with some biospira, seachem stability, turbo start, etc. Can let the rock soak in a rubbermaid container with a heater, powerhead(s) and just siphon off the bottom as needed or desired.

But others like to and are willing to take the chance with live rock for the benefits of the critters that can come in with the live rock. The live rock would have to be left "fallow" for 76 days to starve out any potential encysts of Ich, Marine Velvet, etc.

 

[lapin]

Howdy
Rock, rock and more rock. We cant tell you want to do. I think you know the pros and cons of reef rock that's not been dry for thousands of years. Do you what is in your LFS's water curing tanks? If you are not comfortable with dealing with any pest/parasite issues go with dry mined rock. .

 

[Aaron Mueller]

Update.
So I called the 4 or 5 local saltwater stores we have here in El Paso and two of them told me there is no need to cure their live rock and says there are no hitchhikers. I’m guessing I’ll go ahead and go live rock as much as I can afford and supplement with a little dry. Can’t hurt to toss it all in a tub for a few days and inspect them myself first though huh.. Doing a 70 gallon and forgot how much money live rock adds up to lol. I don’t mind the price but when your starting up there’s so many other things to get as well. So yeah I’m going to trust what they said but still look at them for a few days first. Thank you for the replies everyone. I appreciate it.