Rocks - any good places in Seattle area?

[seachaz]

Looking for rocks to put in an Iwagumi style tank, striking out at LFS and the few garden centers I've been to - any suggestions?

[Seattle_Aquarist]

maybe!

[seachaz]

Originally Posted by Seattle_Aquarist

maybe!

Nice rocks! There a secret password or something I need to give to get your source?

[Seattle_Aquarist]

actually two words

[seachaz]

hmm, Seattle Aquarist or Aquarist World? You selling just those or you have other varieties. I see from a previous post of yours those in your picture aren't inert?

[Da Plant Man]

Yes please.

DID I GET IT!?!?

[Seattle_Aquarist]

lol

How about "GSAS Member"!

[alfalfa]

I've been meaning to join!

I'm interested in the rocks but only if you have more after seachaz and Da Plant Man get theirs. What kind are they?

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi alfalfa,

I will make it easy for everyone! Meet me at a GSAS meeting, show me your GSAS Membership Card, and I will tell you exactly where I purchase them and you can go and pick out the ones that meet your size and shape criteria!

-Roy

[seachaz]

Wow that's kind of an elitist approach to things - if that's representative of how the club runs not sure I want to be part of it.

[Seattle_Aquarist]

hi seachaz,

No problems; it took me months to find a local source for these stones. I have given the name out to only two individuals; both GSAS members.

You can find a lot of different varieties at Marenako's Rock Center in Fall City, nice drive this time of year. Open Sat. 8:30 - 3:30 closed on Sundays.

[seachaz]

Great thanks Roy! And I will keep the society in mind - just setting up my first tank since I was a kid. Just wish I was a bit further along so I could have taken part in the auction you guys had.

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi Seachaz,

Our next meeting is May 8th on the SPU campus (see gsas.org for info); you are welcome to attend as my guest. It is our annual Home Show presentation where a group of 'judges' (very loosely defined) visit member's homes and photograph and video their aquariums. It is a great source of ideas and inspiration. We have a 'mini-auction' after each meeting; typically with unusual fish, plants, and invertebrates.

I too re-entered the hobby after a long absence; primarily due to planted aquariums. Our members range from sub-teen to retired; just a bunch of crazy fish (and plant) nuts!

-Roy

[alfalfa]

I went to the February and April auctions. It is a blast and addicting. I learned a lot. Just getting to see everything I read about, and then to buy it for a few bucks, is great. I probably spent 6 to 8 hours total over those two events. There are a lot of opportunities because a few items are auctioned off every minute that whole time.

Roy: I asked someone (who shall remain nameless hah!) if you were there. I was not communicating very clearly (TPT? and I couldn't remember your real name) but I know the name they said wasn't right. Regardless, I didn't go over and introduce myself.

seachaz: It's a very cool group of people. I understand why you might have thought it sounded otherwise and I might have thought so too if I hadn't been to an event. When I read the post about bringing the ID I chuckled a little bit. There's a friendly vibe among everyone there. Nobody ever asked me for anything... except to pay for what I won!

[SeattleFishGuy]

seachaz - I went to a GSAS meeting for the first time in March and just last weekend to the big auction and alfalfa is right a great group of friendly people. I even took my father-in-law as a guest to listen to Dick Au speak and he loved it!

Anyway I was looking for rocks too at on point and found some great ones at The Fish Store but I think there are even better options at Midway Pets. Someone on Airstone the GSAS email/blog posted some pictures from Midway Pets and they had at least three boxes of different kinds of Japanesse Style rocks...so give them a call and they can tell you exactly what they have.

Here are the pics the member posted: