Can I collect algae/bloom covered rock from the ocean and put it in my new saltwater tank? Will this work?

Question

I'm trying to set up my first saltwater tank as low-budgetly as possible (I'm a student). I live right near the ocean and have access to all sorts of things (saltwater, sand, rock, fish, crabs, etc) and was hoping to use as much live stuff as I can. I was wondering if the rock and sand from the ocean would work like store-bought live rock and sand. Or will these work at all?

Answer 1

More or less. I mean, that's what live rock is. They go to the ocean, take out pieces, and put them in fishtanks.
It would advise you to give it a shot. Fill your tank and get some nice pieces of LR, and let your tank cycle and the LR cure (the process of some of the organisms on the rock dying, and new ones taking their place - all LR goes through his when it enters your tank, even if it was already cured) and see how it goes. You'll know if it worked, trust me, either it'll foul up and be gross, or it'll look like proper LR should.

Oh, it also depends on which ocean. You'll notice that all LR tends to come from warmer regions because your tank will be warm, not cold. So if you're near a cold ocean, like in Cali, it may not be succesful.

Answer 2

I would think any life that is growing on the rock will die as there wont be the natural temperature fluctuations and movement / circulation that it would be accustomed to in the ocean environment. I suppose you could try though.

Answer 3

i think it will...i bought live rock from fiji for my saltwater aquarium and they simply went out, got some rock from the ocean, boxed it up, and gave it to me. It boosted up my aquariums bacterial growth and i found that little crabs, featherdusters, worms, and other life started coming out of the rock up to months after i got it.

Answer 4

make sure they are cured first....
look on the message boards at www.saltwaterfish.com
There is alot of info on them, and even classifieds.