Received Live Rock: Is It Dead or Alive?

Kongo

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I have just received some live rock from a supplier by mail, and several people have claimed that it's dead or nearly so. They say it won't count as live rock until it has been cured for about a year or so.

The supplier responds:
"It’s clear that some of the bacteria on the surface of the rock may have died during transport. However, the bacteria inside the rock typically survive. In an aquarium under light, live rock eventually develops coralline algae, but in the shop without lights, this algae doesn’t have a chance to grow."

What do you think? 20240821_141604.jpg 20240821_131935.jpg 20240821_141615.jpg 20240821_141613.jpg 20240821_141607.jpg
 

Dburr1014

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I have just received some live rock from a supplier by mail, and several people have claimed that it's dead or nearly so. They say it won't count as live rock until it has been cured for about a year or so.

The supplier responds:
"It’s clear that some of the bacteria on the surface of the rock may have died during transport. However, the bacteria inside the rock typically survive. In an aquarium under light, live rock eventually develops coralline algae, but in the shop without lights, this algae doesn’t have a chance to grow."

What do you think? 20240821_141604.jpg 20240821_131935.jpg 20240821_141615.jpg 20240821_141613.jpg 20240821_141607.jpg
Was it wet when you got it?
 

twentyleagues

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From the supplier's answer it is from stock tanks without light and without much life. Possibly bacteria, algal spores, aiptasia, worms/pods within the rock. I have currently and in the past had large quantities of dry rock held in my sump or in previous sumps that looked like that after years in the water so no idea how long its been in water. It is "live" to a point but is not live ocean rock with multiple life forms. Hopefully you didnt pay too much for it. Standard tank live rock at one of my lfs is $9/lb, premium with coralline algae is $14/lb but there is very little avail. I will probably never buy lfs live rock again while it allows insta tanking you get all the bad and very little good or cool of actual ocean live rock.
 

jackson6745

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My Australian rock turned white while I was curing it. It turned purple again with Coraline 3 months later. It's possible that your rock didn't see light for a long time and or it was kept poorly. That is low quality rock IMO and the price should reflect it. Otherwise, I think it will work fine.
 

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twentyleagues

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You can add it to your tank and add some ammonia and test to see how fast it processes it. I would also test phosphates after a couple days as it may have "absorbed" quite a bit while curing.
 
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Well there is live rock and then there is ocean rock in my opinion. Live rock is aqua cultured in a tank. Its gone through the motions. Its got bacteria and ready to go. But unless its a few dollars more than dry rock. Its not worth it.

Ocean rock should have all sorts of life on it with some coralline . Doesn't have to be covered in it. But should have some thick crusts.

I have an overflow 20 gallon long tank filled with mainly rock as its ready to go for any new tanks I do lol. I started this about 2 months ago. And it looks way more biodiverse that those rocks.
 

Cichlid Dad

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I have just received some live rock from a supplier by mail, and several people have claimed that it's dead or nearly so. They say it won't count as live rock until it has been cured for about a year or so.

The supplier responds:
"It’s clear that some of the bacteria on the surface of the rock may have died during transport. However, the bacteria inside the rock typically survive. In an aquarium under light, live rock eventually develops coralline algae, but in the shop without lights, this algae doesn’t have a chance to grow."

What do you think? 20240821_141604.jpg 20240821_131935.jpg 20240821_141615.jpg 20240821_141613.jpg 20240821_141607.jpg
Please provide link to supplier so we have a better idea of what this is. We will be able to help further.

This is live rock

 
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