Biodiversity in Canada

[ataller]

We have pretty good sources of bacteria, I will concede. Better than I had the last time I was at this stage.

Our tanks are lacking worms, feather dusters, star fish, pods, serpents, sponges, tunicates, macro algae’s, snails, barnacles and so many other cryptic organisms that I think really make the best of the best tanks.

A couple cups of junk from the bottom of the ocean, or cultured in someone’s tank would bring some much needed richness and stability.

[WarDog]

Perhaps I don't understand your original inquiry.

Originally Posted by ataller

Our tanks are lacking worms, feather dusters, star fish, pods, serpents, sponges, tunicates, macro algae’s, snails, barnacles and so many other cryptic organisms that I think really make the best of the best tanks.

Not sure about your area, but all of these are available at my LFS.

[ataller]

I’m not taking about ornamental species. I am talking about the cryptic species that go about their business without us every knowing about it.

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by ataller

A couple cups of junk from the bottom of the ocean, or cultured in someone’s tank would bring some much needed richness and stability.

And there's your answer

[ataller]

You guys are really saucy....

Clearly I don't have access to the ocean or someone else's established tank which is why in my original post I was looking for a commercial solution.

I don't think I am going to find any help here.

[darb]

I am currently in the building stage for live rock for my next tank.

Step one involves flushing Marco Rock for many months in FW to minimize phosphates.

Step two will be initial going live which will be a combination of bacteria in a bottle and a starter rock pack based on a small amount of old school live rock from the LFS.

For my final step I was planning on ordering some farmed live rock from Florida, QT it for many months and then finally add it to my main.

I will dig later but I think that one of the farmed rock suppliers was willing to airship to Canada. Just guessing obviously, but hopefully at some point soonish the border will open again, so shipping to just across the border will be an option again.

[ataller]

If you find a source of Florida live rock, please let me know.

Tampa Bay Saltwater used to ship here up to Canada. It is under new management and is no longer shipping up here. Though they aren't shipping anywhere yet.

KP Aquatics does not ship to Canada.

LiveGulfRock.com does say they ship to Canada on their website but they cancelled my order and informed me they do not in fact ship here.

Adam

[darb]

Ok, you have done your homework. I will dig and see if I can find the email about who it was that said they would ship to Canada.

I have always thought that an "ecco reef rock" supplier would make a nice little sideline/garage based business. A bulk shipment of Marco Rock, a bunch of stock tanks, some carefully selected safe and diverse seed rock and a year later you could charge a premium price above the cost of real natural live rock due to the fact that it is sustainable and pest/hitchhiker free.

I vaguely recall seeing a East Coast (Canada) supplier of cultured rock a few years ago, not sure if they are still around.

[Ryan]

Badlands Marine in Lethbridge could probably drop shoft some rock to you guys. Jeff just did an order, not sure how long before he is able to get another. He brought in 2 boxes from Australia.