WTB: Live rock/corals south FL.
Rob Darmanin
best place to buy live rock to get my reef up and running again.
Thanks,
Rob
SkorpyO666
minutes from fort lauderdale
Tim Birthisel
TerraSubAqua, specializes in live rock. We have some nice coquina substrate,
coralline algae, bryozoans, sponge and other inverts. Rock has been down for
2-3 years, lots of large flat pieces for wall building. It's really fairly
light, coquina is the clam/shrimp shell sedimentary rock, it's like a
sponge. You can easily drill holes or even hammer-crush it into live sand
additive.
Since we live in Ohio, we do drop-offs anywhere along I-75, I-26 and Rt. 40
in the Carolinas, I-95, and most of Florida. Four runs to the Keys and back
per year.
This is clean rock, we are four miles out, in the Federal Waters. We are the
first to operate under new gov't permitting rules for the Atlantic side.
Totally legal and sanctioned by the Marine Sanctuary, where we operate. Our
operation is oriented to education, assisting researchers, and innovation.
Also we love to dive. Look for our article in the Jan. ed. of FAMA
(Freshwater and Marine Aquarium) magazine.
Our M.O.; ground delivery is best, minimize jarring vibrations, keep cool,
well aereated and SUBMERGED at all times beginning with harvest. This is
very difficult, virtually no one else does it, but it maximizes survival,
espc. for the sponges.
Price is $4.00 per pound delivered, 50 lbs minimum order, COD. Let me know
what size you prefer so I can select an order for you accordingly.
If you are SCUBA certified, and qualified by my crusty dive boat operator,
you can pick your own and save 25%.
Also have arrow crabs, banded coral shrimp, coral snails, flame scallops,
etc. if you want to make a "Caribbean Reef Tank," some critters always stow
away on the rock anyway.
Let me know if you are interested, send address so we can locate you as we
make up our route, heading down next in late August, returning early
September.
By request we will email some sample photos.
Best Regards,
o
o
~~~ o
(OIO) Tim from TerraSubAqua
<o>
Rob Darmanin wrote in message <3911D145...@ix.netcom.com>...
Rob Darmanin
Sounds interesting. However, I have heard from several experts in the past that
it is sometimes unsafe to use rock or coral (some even say fish) from the
carribean/atlantic because of the parasites that can infest your aquarium.
Also, they are more difficult to keep (corals) because of the lack of tolerance
to the higher temeratures as opposed to pacific.
Lastly...the price seems kind of high (unless like you say it is extremely light
weight).
Any comments?
Rob
BrianPAlex1
Tim Birthisel
container loads (semi's) full of coral and live rock out every week, most
bound for the US. The indigenous people are so poor that their government
allows four operators there to strip the reefs of life to generate revenues.
Pretty soon the reefs will be barren, the operators are looking to move on
to Tonga next.
If you can sleep well feeding this industry have fun!
The water temps are in the low 80's all summer in the Keys, I keep a
Carribean Reef tank at about 82 degrees, no problem.
Parasites, worms and excessive algae come from shallower, near shore waters,
we are four miles out in 56 foot, not picking by the road side or in the
canals. Wild live rock from FL reefs was huge in the US LR industry until
it was made illegal for conservation reasons.
Who are your experts, do they sell the imported stuff by chance? Do they
worry about the exotic species introductions their trade is causing in US
waters? Do they tell you about the die off that happens shipping these rocks
wrapped in wet newspaper?
You can save money from me, just get certified and come out to pick your
own! The Bragging Rights alone are worth it.
Let me know,
Tim from TerraSubAqua
Rob Darmanin wrote in message <3912C073...@ix.netcom.com>...
Steve Wolfe
> best place to buy live rock to get my reef up and running again.
As long as you're in Florida, there's no reason not to use the rock from
Tampa Bay Saltwater. You'll get the rock right out of the ocean (as opposed
to what you get if it's shipped from fiji), so it's loaded with life, and
you get the warm, squishy feeling of having used aquacultured rock, knowing
that you didn't harm any wild reefs. : )
steve
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Domain for replies is "codon"
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Tom
environmental friendly as your LR. As for reef creatures you're talking about.
It's SUCK. I don't stick my hand into one. My wholesaler won't deal with them.
My distributor don't want to mess with them. They're very sensitive and may
require different salinity level to keep them alive. Cyano bacteria and dreaded
parasites can create a catastrophic to reef tank if live specimens were collect
during and after hurricane season.
You're right about FL reefs "was" a huge industry in U.S....How couldn't it be?
With so much restriction on Pacific reef's back in the 80's, American citizen
have very little choice but to get it from your guy - now that's a shame.
PS: I do sell imported stuff, especially Fiji LR but I'm no expert.
Tim Birthisel wrote:
> >> >Just moved to So. Florida (Ft Lauderdale area) and am looking for the
> >> >best place to buy live rock to get my reef up and running again.
> >> >Thanks,
> >> >Rob
> >> >
> >
--
Located in S. California. We specialized in captive bred cichlid, especially
tropheus, tank set up ,and services. Information, pictures and large selection
of aquarium supply can also be found here. Tropheus Fanatic http://paps2000.com
Tom
Charles J DeVito
news:3916DE33...@hotmail.com...
> I beg the different. Fiji LR is an aqua-cultured rock.
It most assuredly is not. No rock coming out of the pacific is aquacultured.
>It's just as environmental friendly as FL variety.
Not in your wildest dreams.
I won't otherwise comment here on the relative merits of carribean vs
pacific rock, but thinking fiji rock is aquacultured is absolutely in error.
--
Charles J DeVito
Ravenheart Enterprises
rh...@gte.net
Tim Birthisel
they doing besides making a buck?
Are they working with the research/conservation community to try to assist
the beleagured few who dare to study and assist the dwindling domestic reef
environment?
Do they offer internship and outreach programs to encourage students to take
up study of same in order to favor understanding and long-term protection?
Are they pioneering methods which may some day enable large-scale reef
restoration projects?
I personally challenge any of these other companies to produce any sort of
endorsement from educators, regulators, or conservation groups. Do you think
it's important? We hope they take us up on it.
Meantime, why settle for a mere warm, squishy feeling from using what is
legally termed "aquacultured" when you can have true long-term environmental
gratification? Doesn't where the product comes from add or detract form your
enjoyment?
Vote with your hard-earned bucks, and if you need more excuses to do the
right thing, try these;
-Only deeper water offers protection from excess algae and worms
-Deeper water more closely mimics the lighting in home aquaria
-Only one company keeps the rock immersed at all times from harvest to
delivery, which those "in the know" realize is critical to maximum survival
of all critters, especially sponges!
-Only the Keys offer the best water quality so as to minimize risk of
pollution-related problems.
Let your aquarium bucks should make a statement about your value system.
Photos, article, and references available on request.
Tim from TSA
Steve Wolfe wrote in message ...
>> Just moved to So. Florida (Ft Lauderdale area) and am looking for the
>> best place to buy live rock to get my reef up and running again.
>