Need sand and rock in SA

[GSH]

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.

[Chris]

Hi GSH, welcome to MAAST!

Check with Tim Marvin for live rock. He always has good stuff... he's out in the Austin area though but he does come down here occasionally.

As for the fauna of your sand bed. Generous feedings have always been my key to success for growing out the pod population in any tank. Watch out with what type of predators you add. Certain sandstars and other critters will completely decimate your pod population.

You could always order a detrivore kit from www.IPSF.com as well to reseed your tank, but you can do the exact same thing by adding 20 lbs of good live rock.

If you give us more details as to some of the inhabitants and the feeding regime of your setup we might be able to help solve your problem.

8)

[Tim Marvin]

I usually have tons of pods and mysid shrimp in the caulerpa. Along with the micro stars. I will have some freebies in a week or two. Unfortunately I just harvested and dumped a bunch. I run mostly grape and saw blade.

[DeletedAccount]

I have a little sand and macro I can throw your way, if you can come and get it. My large tank is doing excellent for the copepods.

[Tim Marvin]

I have a little sand and macro I can throw your way, if you can come and get it. My large tank is doing excellent for the copepods.

There you go.. Pods with out the drive.

[Richard]

We carry pretty nice Fiji rock at my store. It is price depending on how much you buy, starting at $4.50/lb down to $3.25/lb for 40+ lbs. I also do $3.10/lb for a 45lb box if you pick it up in the box. Of course this is a pre pay deal since I may not have anywhere to put it if you didn't show. So far my supplier has only sent very nice rock (lots of coralline, featherworms, etc.). I have been told by customers that it is nicer than the stuff from FFEXPRESS but I wouldn't swear to that since I have never seen the Fiji rock from FFEXPRESS.

I also carry dry petrified coral base rock at $1.50/lb. This is pretty nice stuff.

Richard
CB Pets

[z28pwr]

We carry pretty nice Fiji rock at my store. It is price depending on how much you buy, starting at $4.50/lb down to $3.25/lb for 40+ lbs. I also do $3.10/lb for a 45lb box if you pick it up in the box. Of course this is a pre pay deal since I may not have anywhere to put it if you didn't show. So far my supplier has only sent very nice rock (lots of coralline, featherworms, etc.). I have been told by customers that it is nicer than the stuff from FFEXPRESS but I wouldn't swear to that since I have never seen the Fiji rock from FFEXPRESS.

I also carry dry petrified coral base rock at $1.50/lb. This is pretty nice stuff.

Richard
CB Pets

$3.10 a lb locally that is not bad at all.

Also don't you charge $40~ for the Instant Ocean Salt buckets ?

[Reefdude]

where is CB Pets??

[Richard]

I think we only have 1 bucket left at that price. And last I checked marineland had jacked the price considerably so I may not be able to get it at that price again until they have another sale. We have the 50 gal bags at $12.99 - don't know how that compares to the SA stores.

We are out in Bulverde about 12-15 min north of 1604 at HWY 281 and HWY 46. We don't do much in the way of coral right now. Mainly fish and some stuff like shrimps, crabs etc. I am planning on setting up for more inverts hopefully in a few months - just need more time and money (like everyone else I suppose). Right now I'm working on setting up quarantine tanks for all our incoming SW fish and will start on the invert thing when I finish the QT tanks.

Richard
CB Pets