Paragon vs Harbor

[Drew]

OK everybody,

I am at the stage (finally) where I can order the live rock for my 90 gal. I plan on getting about 100 lbs or so. At first I planned on getting it from Harbor Aquatics, but I've been reading up on Paragon and they seem like they've got good stuff too. They are both supposed to have quality rock, which one would you recommend? I've also thought about ordering 50 lbs from both, and then doing a comparison. What do you think? TIA

Drew

Something else to add, can somebody who has gulf-view LR please tell me how easy is the rock to aquascape? Thanks.

[lil Anemone]

Drewman: Youll be happy with either, since its a new tank DEMAND the RAW PLANT ROCK, it is transshipped twice a week and costs $120 per 45lb box. It is the only way to get MAXIMUM life and encrusting corals and zooanthids on your live rock. Plus its the cheapest too. I did it, and after recieving and curing the rock in my tank would have paid double the price no questions asked. BOth Harbor and Paragon get the same identical Raw Plant rock from Walt so either way will be fine!

[Doug1]

Drew another thing to consider is the distance and shipping time/cost. All of them PA included get nice stuff and are family business run by actual reefers, Heck try em all and spread the wealth

[Drew]

Thanks guys,

Actually what I'd really like to do is take a drive down to Harbor and pick out my own rock. It seems like it would be a blast!

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Drewman it will be like being in a candy store!----------I mean if your wallet is thick enough!!!LOL Johnny

[JJGeisler]

lil Anenome,
I'm glad for your posts and info. I'm also at the point of ordering live rock (once I find my sand...another story)and was planning on buying raw live rock. Mine is going into a 55g Sump/refugium and will be cured in the tank so I wanted the raw stuff. Macroalgae and critters are a plus. My last order of rock came through AquaDirect but was Walt Smith stuff that arrived 22 hours after phoning in the order. It was the fully cured rock and had NO hithhikers. Glad to hear some good reports for vendors. The internet can be a great thing for saving money but a total gamble if you don't know who your dealing with! Thanks!
JJ

[DaveJ]

I have only ordered snails from Paragon and was very happy with them. I saw their live rock ads and it looked like great stuff. As others mentioned, you can't go wrong either way. However, paragon is closed for moving until the 15th I think. It is posted on their website so go take a look and maybe call them to see if they would handle the live rock order.

[lil Anemone]

Mike at Paragon will do transshipped orders still(Uncured Raw Plant rock)but his regular cured wont be available till his new store front is open, like stated earlier The raw plant rock is the way to go whether u do Mike at Paragon or Harbor Aquatics, either way its a win/win situation.

Also for you folks out there still debating, I got some good news for you. I actually ordered another 45 lb. box of Paragons Raw Plant rock and it will be in at the airport tommarow afternoon. I have a digital camera and will take extensive shots(macro too)of the live rock when I get it home, so that way you all can get a good first hand look at it before placing an order regardless, and see what a $120 45 lb box looks like!

[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: lil Anemone ]

[Doug1]

Drew, lucky you, have a blast
LA, cant wait to see pics,almost as fun as reefing with other peoples money

[Drew]

Once I get the rock, be it shipped to me or picked by me, I will try to get a digital camera and take some pics of it and post them here.
lil anemone: I will be looking forward to your pics, how much were the shipping costs for the 45 lb box?

Thank you all,
Drew

[lil Anemone]

From LAX to my destination(Manchester New Hampshire) was only about $42 dollars for a total of about $160 which ends up being about $3.50 per pound, which is a steal considering ill get to have all the hitchikers,corals,macroalgaes possible! I have now done both "cured" and uncured rock, from many different companies, and all I can say is "uncured" is the way to go by far, it ends up being the cheapest(you use your own labor and time to cure the rock)and by far you get the most life which is why we buy the rock in the first place. The last time I got uncured from paragon I couldnt count how many different kinds of snails,crabs,worms,algaes,sponges that came on the rock, along with quite a few nudibrances which were a big bonus for me. Even though most nudibranches only have about 1 year of natural life expectancy, just their presence and behavior was worth it. I still have some "floating" around from a batch 6 months ago which have seem to have found a food source in the live rock. Another treat I got was a rock that was literally covered with beautiful zooanthids and poorites that were very colorful and have xmas tree worms covering them! I cant say that all batches of rock will have what i got on a batch, but thats half the fun! Every box I have gotten had at least 4 or 5 unexpected treats! And the funny thing is that I actually enjoy getting "surprise" transshipped boxes over picking my own pieces, I have had 5 or 6 pieces of rock surprise me with something that I myself probably wouldnt have picked out myself if I had my own choice, but am now glad to have them! Its a really fun process!

[Creek]

Drewman- I have 30 lbs. of jakarta from Harbor Aqutics that has great shape and really nice pastel coralline. I also have about 80 lbs. of Gulf views Premo Rock. Dale was very good about picking out pieces that fit my needs. I wanted long flat pieces for bridges and he sent just what I needed. His rock has the most life I have ever seen on all my rock. Encrusting corals, sponges and really nice coralline coverage also many extras like worms, snails, and chitons. I found the bottom of the boxes full of life as well so be sure not to overlook the small micro stuff. I have also purchased a 44 lb. box of fiji once that was not as satisfactory as the others but has taken off since and did have a few zoantharia after many months.-Creek

[lil Anemone]

Live Rock shipment came in a few short hours ago! All looks great as usual! Got quite a few hitchhikers this time! Will be loading pics up soon!

[Doug1]

Kewl aint reef tanks fun, no matter what route you take something always comes up to surprise you. Reminds me of the first time I got Live Sand from an online source, I looked at the bag and said Whoa, I paid how much for this, but within a few months I looked in the tank one day and saidd (%&%^%^ look at all them sketti worms patience is the key,hehehe

[lil Anemone]

Here are the late as hell pics I promised!