Received Live Rock: Is It Dead or Alive?

[Kongo]

I would DEFINITELY write to them if I were you. What you paid for, versus what you received is crazy.

I'll give it a try. If the rock is basically dead, I might as well replace it with some Aquaforest rocks from my storage. They have a nice pink colour to them.

 

[Dburr1014]

I'll give it a try. If the rock is basically dead, I might as well replace it with some Aquaforest rocks from my storage. They have a nice pink colour to them.

To reiterate; it's not dead. It has bacteria to process ammonia, should*.

 

[GARRIGA]

To reiterate; it's not dead. It has bacteria to process ammonia, should*.

That’s not akin to saying bacteria in a bottle then live bottle? I think live rock when it comes with more than just bacteria. Bio balls can be soaked and delivered later with bacteria.

Plus value in ocean live rock being it contains diversified bacteria which might explain why in the 80/90s we didn’t experience cyano or dino although that’s mostly anecdotal yet seems to be the mantra with what one considers live rock. Otherwise one could just by dry rock. Soak it with bottled bacteria and sell it as such making a killing since much easier to acquire and farm.

 

[Dburr1014]

That’s not akin to saying bacteria in a bottle then live bottle? I think live rock when it comes with more than just bacteria. Bio balls can be soaked and delivered later with bacteria.

Plus value in ocean live rock being it contains diversified bacteria which might explain why in the 80/90s we didn’t experience cyano or dino although that’s mostly anecdotal yet seems to be the mantra with what one considers live rock. Otherwise one could just by dry rock. Soak it with bottled bacteria and sell it as such making a killing since much easier to acquire and farm.

What I'm saying is... It could very well be seeded with ocean bacteria even though it's not completly encrusted with life.

IMO, I would rather start with OP's "rock" than completly dry rock or the purple painted life rock he said he would use instead just because it's purple.

Yes, I would take a chance that maybe it just does have live bacteria inside it. If it was housed for any amount of time with the rock that's pictured on the site, it has, or should have, bacteria.

Would I pay to dollar hind site, no.

 

[KrisReef]

Well, that would make it the most expensive dry rock I’ve come across..

I don't think anyone can get Indo live rock here in the states. We get Eric's Australian imports at $25/454 grams or more, depending .. https://www.tankstop.com/live-rock/

It was marketed as "Indonesian Live Rock".

Those beautiful thick branches are perfect for building coral habitat in a reef tank.

What I'm saying is... It could very well be seeded with ocean bacteria even though it's not completly encrusted with life.

Totally agree with this, I have barrel rock in the garage and it looks similar to the OP's white rocks. Without light they tend to turn whitish but the ocean bacteria will still hold a "cycle" just fine. It is prone to growing algae when it goes back under the lights and develops the subsequent succession's of surface life.

IMO, I would rather start with OP's "rock" than completly dry rock or the purple painted life rock he said he would use instead just because it's purple.

Amen! Preach it brother. The ocean doesn't come with an applied coat of paint


I think Norway is so far north that the rock transport and storage is going to be significantly different that what we get down lower and nearer the equator. It's beautiful rock from the ocean but it's been in the dark too long to retain all the natural beauty. Put it in the tank, test for phosphates, warm it up and get started. The addition of live corals and fishes in the tank will help the rock recover nicely, ime.

 

[jackson6745]

FWIW marco rock now sells live rock. It’s about $16 per lb shipped to your door for a small amount which isn’t bad these days. I think the price gets better with more weight. I ordered a 10lb seeding package just for the heck of it and the rock was very nice quality with lots of life. I put it right into into my system after inspecting for big worms or crabs (there was none).

 

[maroun.c]

Comparing by price isn't valid in this case as prices I saw in Norway for most aquarium related stuff was more expensive than US.
How quickly ammonia and nitrite will drop and how fast nitrate will rise might give and indication on how live this rock is.
It's still better than starting with any of the artificial rock companies make so I would just go ahead and cure it.
Check if store posts pictures of LR arrival as their rock could be kept in dark sumps causing the discoloration.

 

[Kongo]

When handling the stone, a tingling sensation can be felt, which surely indicates that there is still some life in it. Attached is a video of the rock from the store before shipping.

 

[Garibaldimon]

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?

Make yourself a big tub w power heads and let it sit in there check the water and when the water is good the rock is cured