Bottom line - I don't have any sign of 'pods of any kind in my reef tank. I started to write a big long history of the tank, but I decided it wasn't really necessary. It is far from my first reef tank, and I know what I am looking for. The tank has been up for something approaching a year and is doing fine - just no "bugs". I would like to get some small bags of sand from one or more established and active tanks, hopefully with some 'pods and/or worms. I don't have much suitable for trade yet except for some very happy xenia on rock, but I would be happy to offer cash.

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I also bought an Oceanic 54 corner off of E-bay a few weeks ago (at a very good price, I might add), that I am currently cycling. My plan is for it to be a FOWLR tank w/only a couple of fish, and I've been trying to find some rock to put in it. The problem is finding rock here in SA. I can't even find any decent pieces of base rock - just some crumbs. (A couple of the stores acted like I was from another planet when I asked if they had base rock.) And the stuff they are selling as live rock is shameful - big solid boulders, with nothing that even resembles life on-board. I don't mind paying the price for good rock. This stuff would not be a bargain at any price.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I try to support the LFS's whenever possible. I will pay a few bucks more from them, rather than mail-ordering, just to do my part to keep the local resource alive. It's really easy to bash the LFS, and it's just as easy to forget all those times when you have to have someplace to drop in and buy something "right now". Is there someplace here in SA that keeps decent pieces of rock? If not, is there someplace that you would recommend ordering from? I think I'll pass on the Florida sources, given the aiptasia, mantis shrimp, and flatworm problems people seem to have. I'm open to nearly anything else, though. Any suggestions would be appreciated.