Random guy in LFS gave me this guy's number, he's a wholesaler of fish stuff here in Phoenix and he sells live rock (all kinds, cured and uncured) for $3/lb (vs the 5.59 and up everywhere else). I don't want to be cheap at the expense of my tank, but this would save me some money (always a good thing) AND he takes credit cards. I emailed him and in his reply he says this:
The utmost care is taken with each piece, placing the rock in our 3000 gallon rock curing/holding system. It is at this point that each rock is gone over, examining it for loose sponge/dead debris. The rock is scrubbed to remove this debris, and rinsed with fresh saltwater. All rock is held for 6 weeks before considering it "cured" rock. At which point it is again rinsed and moved to our "Cured" rock holding vats. The cured rock systems have Metal Halide lamps on them to ensure that the Koraline algae doesn't die off. Most rock suppliers do not light their rock tanks, as it can grow nuisance algae.
Does this sound cool and on the up-and-up, or does it sound wierd? I don't get a shady vibe from this guy, but I'm a noob and could benefit from you experienced guys' radar to pick up on a scam or crappy rock. Theres absolutely nothin' but sand in my tank, so nothing will be immediately affected by crappy rock, but I don't know if new crappy rock makes a crappy tank later....argh, help!
The utmost care is taken with each piece, placing the rock in our 3000 gallon rock curing/holding system. It is at this point that each rock is gone over, examining it for loose sponge/dead debris. The rock is scrubbed to remove this debris, and rinsed with fresh saltwater. All rock is held for 6 weeks before considering it "cured" rock. At which point it is again rinsed and moved to our "Cured" rock holding vats. The cured rock systems have Metal Halide lamps on them to ensure that the Koraline algae doesn't die off. Most rock suppliers do not light their rock tanks, as it can grow nuisance algae.
Does this sound cool and on the up-and-up, or does it sound wierd? I don't get a shady vibe from this guy, but I'm a noob and could benefit from you experienced guys' radar to pick up on a scam or crappy rock. Theres absolutely nothin' but sand in my tank, so nothing will be immediately affected by crappy rock, but I don't know if new crappy rock makes a crappy tank later....argh, help!
