Need some live rock help

kenyacat · 02/06/2008, 12:17 PM

I am researching live rock.

My LFS (a) has some baserock he calls moonrock that I plan on getting for the base. He also has some dense looking rock in his tanks that he sells as live rock. I have seen antipasia on them.

LFS (b) has some figi live rock. Much more porous with small to large holes. Much nicer looking too.

This is for a 55 gallon tank with fish and corals (at least someday).

Which would be better the figi rock or denser live rock? Figi probably doesn't weigh as much. How do I get to my 55 lbs per gallon if figi is so light?

Thanks

phenom5 · 02/06/2008, 12:20 PM

Well, you want less dense more porous rock for your live rock. Less dense, lighter rock=bigger rocks/ more rock per pound, so it's actually more cost effective. GL

dileggi · 02/06/2008, 12:26 PM

I agree, more porous and less dense is the way to go. As you mentioned, it will take more rock to hit the 1.5-2 lbs of rock per gallon. I have a much smaller tank, but I used a combo of figi and some tonga branch. You want porous, but you also want to get what you like as well.

Most likely, when you're done with the rock, it will probably cover most of the back wall of the tank, depending on how you aquascape.

jehudson · 02/06/2008, 12:46 PM

More porus rock is better for your tank. More surface area for good bacteria.

kenyacat · 02/06/2008, 01:02 PM

So I want to go with figi. Good I like that better anyway. Looks a lot more interesting than a slab of rock the other LFS sells as live.

"Most likely, when you're done with the rock, it will probably cover most of the back wall of the tank, depending on how you aquascape." -- messed up the quote thing.

Anyway do I need to worry about flow along the back wall or can I just stack against the glass and forget about it?

Thanks.

02/06/2008, 12:17 PM	#1
kenyacat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 273	Need some live rock help I am researching live rock. My LFS (a) has some baserock he calls moonrock that I plan on getting for the base. He also has some dense looking rock in his tanks that he sells as live rock. I have seen antipasia on them. LFS (b) has some figi live rock. Much more porous with small to large holes. Much nicer looking too. This is for a 55 gallon tank with fish and corals (at least someday). Which would be better the figi rock or denser live rock? Figi probably doesn't weigh as much. How do I get to my 55 lbs per gallon if figi is so light? Thanks

02/06/2008, 12:20 PM	#2
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	Well, you want less dense more porous rock for your live rock. Less dense, lighter rock=bigger rocks/ more rock per pound, so it's actually more cost effective. GL __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

02/06/2008, 12:26 PM	#3
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	I agree, more porous and less dense is the way to go. As you mentioned, it will take more rock to hit the 1.5-2 lbs of rock per gallon. I have a much smaller tank, but I used a combo of figi and some tonga branch. You want porous, but you also want to get what you like as well. Most likely, when you're done with the rock, it will probably cover most of the back wall of the tank, depending on how you aquascape. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

02/06/2008, 12:46 PM	#4
jehudson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Antonio Tx Posts: 28	More porus rock is better for your tank. More surface area for good bacteria.

02/06/2008, 01:02 PM	#5
kenyacat Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 273	So I want to go with figi. Good I like that better anyway. Looks a lot more interesting than a slab of rock the other LFS sells as live. "Most likely, when you're done with the rock, it will probably cover most of the back wall of the tank, depending on how you aquascape." -- messed up the quote thing. Anyway do I need to worry about flow along the back wall or can I just stack against the glass and forget about it? Thanks.