Tampa Bay Live Rock

[KodiakBear]

Has anyone here ever purchased "the package" from Tampa Bay Saltwater? If so, how was the experience?
I just bought a 125 gal on e-bay and am looking to start setting it up as soon as I get down to FL to pick it up.
Their prices seem reasonable, I was just hoping someone who has purchased from them before would be able to put in their opinion.
Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock - The Package Contents

For those that don't know, their package includes:
1 pound per gallon Live Sand.
1 Serpent or Brittle star per 50 gal.
2 pounds per gallon Live Rock.
2 Tiger Tail Cucumbers per 50 gal.
1 Blue Leg Hermits per gal.
1 Peppermint shrimp per 50 gal.
1/2 Turbo Snail per gal.

They ship everything in two shipments to allow for the initial cycle.

[Dentoid]

I purchased the package for my 90 gallon back in Nov. '06. 180lbs LR and 90lbs LS and the clean-up crew that came with it. I am 100% satisfied and would do it again. The whole experience was very good. From picking it up at the airport to the short cycle. It was all good. Of course there are some undesirable hitch hikers, but a lot of LR have them. The life on this rock right out of the ocean is astounding! You will be amazed at the diversity and variety that comes on this rock. I would highly recommend Tampabay Saltwater without reservation!

[boozeman]

Tampa bay is a well rated source
but, with any florida rock source, there is always a mantis hiding in there somewhere

[KodiakBear]

Anyone know what their harvesting practices are? I'd like to play the reef-conscious addict if possible.

[panmanmatt]

All of their rock is cultured. They take dry rock from land and deposit it in a part of the Gulf that they rent from the state. Rock sits out there for a pre-determined amount of time( can't remember the time frame) before it is collected for shipping.

If you look on their site, it shows how their operation works.

[KodiakBear]

Wow... Totally missed that part of their site somehow. They sound pretty decent about everything.
Unless anyone has a better alternative, it looks like I've found my source. Still a little peeved that my LFS closed just when I decided to upgrade!

[bluespotjawfish]

I got something like the 30 gallon package to start my fuge and supplement my display. You just need to remember he is a one-man shop, so communication can be good or poor (depending on if he is in the office or underwater collecting rock). He collects the rock underwater, and packs it underwater when it is shipped. The schedule of your delivery is kinda like island time ~ you get it when he can get it collected and shipped. You may not get it the day you expect or plan for. Getting it is two shipments makes that concept even more difficult (but you need it in two shipments because the second shipment will contain delicate stuff that won't handle a cycle). I got lots of extras (good and bad) and I'm still picking out the bad. For me some of the cool stuff I got was tough to find a place for since I hadn't planned on getting it and my tank was already stocked. I have a beautiful orange tree sponge that lives in the fuge where it can't even be seen, along with a mantis that I have never seen but that I every night. I know I have a BIG gorilla crab in the display. I think that gorilla crab injured one of my Bluespots!

Would I order from him again? Well, not without understanding all of this first.