[Sueet]

I know it's uncured, but does this rock look like a good kind to use in a reef tank? $3/lb seems like a steal (shipping is included)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...314990670&rd=1

Thanks for any opinions.

[Meric]

However I changed my mind after discovering that the rock is a bit more fragile than some of the other types of live rock out there. Also since he is shipping it ground it would take several days to get to my house.

UPS managed to screw up my live rock order (both by losing it and by beating the heck out of it cause it was a heavy box and they didn't want to lift it gently) from a place that was only 5 hours away, I can't imaginge what they would do with an order that takes several days to deliver.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Meric

However I changed my mind after discovering that the rock is a bit more fragile than some of the other types of live rock out there. Also since he is shipping it ground it would take several days to get to my house.

UPS managed to screw up my live rock order (both by losing it and by beating the heck out of it cause it was a heavy box and they didn't want to lift it gently) from a place that was only 5 hours away, I can't imaginge what they would do with an order that takes several days to deliver.

Well, for overnight deliveries, I have no beef with ups... anything ground tho, forget about it... I was thinking of having them deliver it to my local airport,, then I know it would be mishandled less than ups at least... ups ground doesn't deliver to my house til 6:30 pm anyway.. bleh.

I see your point about how fragile it is tho... by the time I get it... air freight OR ups..... it might end up being nothing but rubble. Hmm... Maybe I'll see if my lil bro will pick me up some when he goes down to florida later this year.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Sueet

I know it's uncured, but does this rock look like a good kind to use in a reef tank? $3/lb seems like a steal (shipping is included)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...314990670&rd=1

Thanks for any opinions.

Here are a few things to consider:

First of all, do you like Caribbean rock or not? Some people do, others don't.

Second, do you know whether that is wild collected live rock or not? It doesn't look like it to me. It looks like limestone that was dug up inland and then aged in seawater for a period of months. He pretty much tells you that in his ad copy with his use of the word "ancient" to describe it. That means it could possibly contain impurities and will certainly be much denser than live rock from the South Pacific.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Ninong

Here are a few things to consider:

First of all, do you like Caribbean rock or not? Some people do, others don't.

Second, do you know whether that is wild collected live rock or not? It doesn't look like it to me. It looks like limestone that was dug up inland and then aged in seawater for a period of months. He pretty much tells you that in his ad copy with his use of the word "ancient" to describe it. That means it could possibly contain impurities and will certainly be much denser than live rock from the South Pacific.

Hmm... You know, I honestly don't think I care much about where the rock comes from ..... the most important thing to me is that it be truly "live" ... you know with all the life forms present that make it interesting. Bacteria I can supply myself..... I'm looking for other kewl hitchhikers! If it could be impure then I will just forget about it period, cuz hitchhikers or not, I really don't want any problems..... no matter how cheap they come! Thanks for the input!
... one more question tho.... in this instance, does denser mean heavier, or does it mean less cavernous? Heavier would be bad, I would prefer lighter rock. (if that is possible)

[Ninong]

Denser = much heavier.

Hitchhikers on Caribbean rock = barnacles, mantis shrimp, crabs, etc.

The only thing that I noticed the seller claiming about his live rock is that it is coralline encrusted, so maybe it won't have any nasty hitchhikers. Maybe it is limestone that was dug up inland within sight of the beach in Haiti somewhere (I have seen pics online of that operation) and then shipped to Florida where it is allowed to age in saltwater ponds to become coralline encrusted??? Or maybe it is actually wild-harvested live rock from Haiti. That's certainly something that you would want to know before you order it.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Ninong

Hitchhikers on Caribbean rock = barnacles, mantis shrimp, crabs, etc.

Ok, thank you for the great info Ninong,, I had a feeling it was 'too good to be true' ... I suppose I wouldn't mind the barnacles, but no thank you to the mantis, and I have the only crabs I want already

I think what I'm going to do, is just watch my local bb, and pick up LR from people who for whatever reason have to take their tanks down... it may take longer, but at least I'll know whats on it... and get to see it before I buy to boot.

Also... I guess I now have a 'preference' ... against Caribbean rock... it's good to learn things

[Ninong]

I am not trying to tell you not to buy that live rock, I'm just saying that it wouldn't be something I would be interested in. I have no way of knowing if you would get any "hitchhikers" or not. I suspect that you would not because I don't think it is that kind of live rock.

Didn't you check out the seller's feedback? She has 100% positive feedback from people who were thrilled with the jeans they bought, happy with the comfortable shoes they bought, in love with the "adorable puppy" they bought, thrilled with the snails they bought, happy with the hermit crabs they bought and even some who were very pleased with the live rock they bought.

Sounds like a multi-faceted business plan!

[Sueet]

Yeah actually I did check out her feedback... but I trust your judgement way more than a buncha ebayers that are thrilled to get a 'deal' ..... a deal is not a deal if you get something you didn't bargain for. And I WANT more than just coralline algae.. no point in buying live rock at all if that's all you want, cuz you can grow your own without too much difficulty.

[underseaworld]

Hey look I finally get to answer a question for someone. Instead of me asking all the time.

I have purchased 100lbs of live rock on ebay and had no problems. The rock came in great. It had no smell to it as far as die off. I have real small feather dusters on it. And this is the rock that I have also caught the bristle worms on. If you are interested I may be able to find his email address for you.

Originally Posted by Sueet

Yeah actually I did check out her feedback... but I trust your judgement way more than a buncha ebayers that are thrilled to get a 'deal' ..... a deal is not a deal if you get something you didn't bargain for. And I WANT more than just coralline algae.. no point in buying live rock at all if that's all you want, cuz you can grow your own without too much difficulty.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by underseaworld

Hey look I finally get to answer a question for someone. Instead of me asking all the time.

I have purchased 100lbs of live rock on ebay and had no problems. The rock came in great. It had no smell to it as far as die off. I have real small feather dusters on it. And this is the rock that I have also caught the bristle worms on. If you are interested I may be able to find his email address for you.

Thanks, but actually, I found a local reefer that had 100lbs of live rock, with decent coralline coverage, already cured, and got it for $3/lb ... that's pretty darn good since the only shipping I had to pay was my gas to go get it... and it was less than 10 miles from my house! When I get my 180 up and running, I'm going to hunt down local rock again, cuz I like knowing where it's coming from, and that it's pre-cured for sure too, since it's coming out of established tanks, and I can see it before I buy it.