Cincinnati Live Rock Source

JRBaker · 12/14/2017, 01:08 PM

Hey everyone! I'm setting up a 20 gallon long reef and need some recommendations on where to get some decent live rock in the Cincinnati area. I know Monfort's has it, but it's pretty expensive at $9 a pound. Anyone know of a decent lfs in the Cincinnati area with cheaper live rock? Thanks everyone!

hijinks · 12/14/2017, 08:52 PM

If I were you, I'd buy dead rock and cure it and then bring it alive. Every LFS I've ever been to that sells a lot of live rock has aiptasia in the rock tank.

You are better off taking things very slow and start a tank pest free. The color will come in time.

rocsec1 · 12/14/2017, 09:02 PM

Look at reefcleaners. I bought my rock from them and it has worked well for me.

Dmorty217 · 12/15/2017, 05:42 AM

I have 300lbs or so left of dry rock I'm selling. $1 per pound

JRBaker · 12/15/2017, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone! @Dmorty217 are you in the Cincinnati area by any chance? I might be interested. I'm really looking for some unique shapes (arches, shelves, etc)

KRBNSOL · 12/15/2017, 01:15 PM

go with the dry rock. learn from others. yes, getting the live rock from wherever with whatever on it is cool. what isnt cool is chasing aiptasia and whatever else bs that comes along with it.

JRBaker · 12/15/2017, 03:12 PM

I like the idea of dry rock due to the price and because it will be easier to aquascape with. My only concern is that I've read several posts from people on this forum and others say dry rock leaches a lot of phosphates. Anyone ever dealt with this?

JRBaker · 12/16/2017, 07:35 AM

I think I'm going to buy the rock from reefcleaners. It looks like they soak the rock before shipping it so it has already leached any phosphates it may have contained. Thanks for the help everyone!

Mdj · 12/16/2017, 08:36 AM

Got mine from world of pets in Florence 2 small pieces to seed dead rock and well aiptasia came with been chasing it ever since. Good luck

flawedexistence · 12/16/2017, 11:14 AM

Fellow Cincy reefer here! After much thought I decided to go the dry rock way. I got mine from BRS. I cured it for three months to leach out the phosphates and have just now started my initial cycle. I would definitely recommend this method.

Dmorty217 · 12/17/2017, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRBaker

Thanks for the replies everyone! @Dmorty217 are you in the Cincinnati area by any chance? I might be interested. I'm really looking for some unique shapes (arches, shelves, etc)

Very close to the Dayton Airport so about 50 mins from Cincinnati

crankbait09 · 12/18/2017, 12:07 PM

jrbaker - I started my whole tank with dry rock It's been up and running for 2 years now. I never had any major Nitrate issues due to the dry rock. But from a cost stand point, I'd go dry.

I believe Gerber's (Dayton) has some dry rock available, but I do not recall the cost per pound

JRBaker · 12/21/2017, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crankbait09

jrbaker - I started my whole tank with dry rock It's been up and running for 2 years now. I never had any major Nitrate issues due to the dry rock. But from a cost stand point, I'd go dry.

I believe Gerber's (Dayton) has some dry rock available, but I do not recall the cost per pound

I ended up ordering dry rock from reefcleaners. It seems like people have good luck with that rock. I'm still considering adding some live rock to seed the tank. I'm going to call around to see if I can find a better price than what Monfort's offers. Unfortunately, I live on the east side of Cincinnati where there aren't very many fish stores. All the good stuff seems to be on the west side, which puts me driving at least 45 minutes. I have a petco around the corner from me that has cultured live rock (says it's from the Indian Ocean on the tag), but I'm skeptical about buying from them.

JordanM · 02/13/2018, 11:00 AM

Im not to far away from you guys in Cincinnati and noticed this craigslist post. Do any of you know who is selling this live rock?
https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/fo...449820789.html

Indymann99 · 02/17/2018, 03:23 PM

You might try Premium Aquatics (south of Indianapolis). They generally have really good LR.

12/14/2017, 01:08 PM	#1
JRBaker Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 33	Cincinnati Live Rock Source Hey everyone! I'm setting up a 20 gallon long reef and need some recommendations on where to get some decent live rock in the Cincinnati area. I know Monfort's has it, but it's pretty expensive at $9 a pound. Anyone know of a decent lfs in the Cincinnati area with cheaper live rock? Thanks everyone!

12/15/2017, 05:42 AM	#4
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	I have 300lbs or so left of dry rock I'm selling. $1 per pound __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

12/15/2017, 01:15 PM	#6
KRBNSOL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 111	go with the dry rock. learn from others. yes, getting the live rock from wherever with whatever on it is cool. what isnt cool is chasing aiptasia and whatever else bs that comes along with it. __________________ "Never time to do it right - but there's always time to do it over" Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef/30g sump

02/17/2018, 03:23 PM	#15
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	You might try Premium Aquatics (south of Indianapolis). They generally have really good LR. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

12/14/2017, 08:52 PM	#2
hijinks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 505	If I were you, I'd buy dead rock and cure it and then bring it alive. Every LFS I've ever been to that sells a lot of live rock has aiptasia in the rock tank. You are better off taking things very slow and start a tank pest free. The color will come in time.

12/14/2017, 09:02 PM	#3
rocsec1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Medina oh Posts: 1,782	Look at reefcleaners. I bought my rock from them and it has worked well for me.

12/15/2017, 09:32 AM	#5
JRBaker Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 33	Thanks for the replies everyone! @Dmorty217 are you in the Cincinnati area by any chance? I might be interested. I'm really looking for some unique shapes (arches, shelves, etc)

12/15/2017, 03:12 PM	#7
JRBaker Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 33	I like the idea of dry rock due to the price and because it will be easier to aquascape with. My only concern is that I've read several posts from people on this forum and others say dry rock leaches a lot of phosphates. Anyone ever dealt with this?

12/16/2017, 07:35 AM	#8
JRBaker Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 33	I think I'm going to buy the rock from reefcleaners. It looks like they soak the rock before shipping it so it has already leached any phosphates it may have contained. Thanks for the help everyone!

12/16/2017, 08:36 AM	#9
Mdj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 56	Got mine from world of pets in Florence 2 small pieces to seed dead rock and well aiptasia came with been chasing it ever since. Good luck

12/16/2017, 11:14 AM	#10
flawedexistence Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 46	Fellow Cincy reefer here! After much thought I decided to go the dry rock way. I got mine from BRS. I cured it for three months to leach out the phosphates and have just now started my initial cycle. I would definitely recommend this method.

12/18/2017, 12:07 PM	#12
crankbait09 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 932	jrbaker - I started my whole tank with dry rock It's been up and running for 2 years now. I never had any major Nitrate issues due to the dry rock. But from a cost stand point, I'd go dry. I believe Gerber's (Dayton) has some dry rock available, but I do not recall the cost per pound

02/13/2018, 11:00 AM	#14
JordanM Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 22	Im not to far away from you guys in Cincinnati and noticed this craigslist post. Do any of you know who is selling this live rock? https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/fo...449820789.html