pros and cons of getting wild live rock and sand

[matt_wahoo]

I have a friend who has wanted a tank for years. Two months ago I gave him my old 40 gallon tank. A couple of days ago he called me up to look at the sand and live rock he got. When I got over there I saw this execelent looking live rock. Come to find out he went snorkeling and got all the rocks he could get. Then he filled up a bunch of buckets of sand from the beach and put it all in the tank. I know this is highly illegal but are there any problems that could come from this. He has offered to give me some for my tank, but I first off I only believe in aquacultured corals and such. Second, I am worrried about putting this stuff in my tank. I know this is wrong and I have been explaining this to him but can it hurt anything in his tank?

[salt-rookie]

The cons will out wiegh the pros by a good bit.

Pros: It was free, unless someone saw him and they show up at the door.


Cons: Hitch hikers, he was not deep enough to have gotten the good stuff. Especially the sand! The sand will likely have many heavy metals, possibly some petroleus distillates, and myriad of other possible contaminates. None of it would go in MY tank! You do what you like! That's my 2 cents!

[matt_wahoo]

Thanks thats what I was afraid of. All my rock is recycled rock that I have bought from other people breaking down their tanks.

[friday_14]

what are the pro's and con's of live rock????

[charlie]

Friday, here read this:
What is Live Rock, Anyway?

[friday_14]

thanks