Collecting Live Rock

[Nak]

Hi, im totally new to salt water tanks and was planning on setting up a nano reef tank. I was wondering if the live rocks used in reef tanks need to be treated specially or could i just collect it from the ocean myself.

I live in Australia, and there's a little secluded spot that my friends and i go diving to swim with blue gropers. This small area is home to over half a dozen blue gropers, they're really awesome fish and let us hold on to them as they drag us through the water :

Anyway, i've noticed lots of smaller pieces of porous rocks there and was wondering if this was the same as live rock sold at the LFS. I want to setup a nano reef 15gallon with just a clown fish some inverts and have read that i'll be needing ~15-20pounds of liverock. Liverock here is very expensive so i thought i could save myself some money collecting some when im out diving.

Thing is, im not sure if the rocks here would even be suitable for what im want to setup.

 

[Amphiprion]

I don't see why not, as long as you are in compliance with local collection laws. Please do find these laws in your particular area to avoid the potential for a very steep fine or worse. Personally, I would isolate the rock, first, like in a sump or refugium and see if there are any unpleasant hitchhikers.

 

[pufferfreak]

If you put the rock in super saline water any unwanted hitchhikers will dart out from the rock within minutes or even seconds.

 

[OgreMkV]

Personally, I would not risk it. But I've done an aquarium with that kind of rock, direct from the ocean (aquacultured, but still). It was a very bad experience.

 

[Blown 346]

I agree. Collecting rock yourself is not only a bad idea as if you get caught its jail time. And second, collecting it close to the shore could cause you more issues you dont want.

Pollution, plays a bug part of it. Even tho the water looks clear etc doesnt mean there isnt pollution. Pollution is the most prevelant close to shore.

The safest and omnly way I would collect anything is if you went out a few miles and dove down to get rock. But then again if you dont have a license you go to jail.

 

[DeeSeven]

If you put the rock in super saline water any unwanted hitchhikers will dart out from the rock within minutes or even seconds.

this really doesnt work 100% of the time...some hitchhikers are very durable. Hence how they get shipped in no water and make it all the way up to your lfs or you and into your tank