How much live rock per gallon in QT tank?

xenon · 03/01/2008, 08:44 AM

I know, I knowâ€¦. I am not supposed to use LR in a QT tank.

The problem is that I donâ€™t have an established sponge to use in my HOB filter.

I have some cured LR that I keep in my sump that I never use.

How much LR would I need for a 40g QT tank?

kar93 · 03/01/2008, 08:55 AM

instead of putting LR in there you could just take a cup of sand out of the display and then put that in there.

tufacody · 03/01/2008, 09:00 AM

There is no problem putting LR in a QT tank so long as it always stays there and NEVER gets mixed up with the LR in your main tank. If you're using it as a bio filter, I dont see why the standard 1-2 lbs per gallon would be any different. Just keep in mind many treatments will kill the bacteria in the LR anyway.

DrBDC · 03/01/2008, 09:13 AM

And depending on what comes in with the fish, you may need to dry the rock out and kill it after even if you remove it for medication. i.e. ich

discocarp · 03/01/2008, 09:23 AM

Live rock in QT is fine just don't run hyposalinity or copper or other meds with it. Not a great idea only because you can't treat stuff with it in the tank, but its great in a pinch.

You don't need much. I ran a 58g reef tank for over a year with 15lbs of rock and medium fish load.

xenon · 03/01/2008, 09:45 AM

Why would it be harmful to use LR in hyposalinity?

If the bacteria dies at that salt level then the bacteria would die on the sponge in the HOB filter anyways.

bureau13 · 03/01/2008, 10:38 AM

I don't know if its so much a bacterial problem as an "other critters in the rock" problem. The die-off could also cause a cycle, which would defeat the purpose of having it in there in the first place.

jds

~SIRENA~ · 03/01/2008, 11:18 AM

I'm interested in this too, tagging along>>>

JoeMomma · 03/01/2008, 11:30 AM

I've have about 15 lbs of live rock in my 33 gallon QT for months now. Only treated it with hyposalinity. Initial die off is substantial and you really have to clean it up. Afterwards there are no problems. My ammonia is unnoticeable.

discocarp · 03/01/2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

I don't know if its so much a bacterial problem as an "other critters in the rock" problem.

That's the issue in a nutshell. If its cooked rock or similar with no life but bacteria it'd be no problem with hypo. Copper is a huge no-no either way.

03/01/2008, 08:44 AM	#1
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	How much live rock per gallon in QT tank? I know, I knowâ€¦. I am not supposed to use LR in a QT tank. The problem is that I donâ€™t have an established sponge to use in my HOB filter. I have some cured LR that I keep in my sump that I never use. How much LR would I need for a 40g QT tank?

03/01/2008, 09:13 AM	#4
DrBDC Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ballwin, Missouri Posts: 10,358	And depending on what comes in with the fish, you may need to dry the rock out and kill it after even if you remove it for medication. i.e. ich __________________ Some drink at the fountain of knowledge, some just gargle, but most are rabid. Current Tank Info: 180g sps+75 softy/lps on one system tunze's, seio's, mjmods, aquacontroller w/add ons, 2X400 XM10000 and 3X160 vho actinic, 110g sump, 110 frag tank, Geo Beckett and other stuff

03/01/2008, 11:18 AM	#8
~SIRENA~ Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 379	I'm interested in this too, tagging along>>> __________________ -Adi 2 picasso clowns, 3 chromis, yellow tang; hippo tang, sunburst anthias, starry blenny, and green mandarin. 29g sump/fuge w/chaeto & LR 104g 1x400wmh 2 96 actinics 2 Koralia #3 2 Koralia #4 Current Tank Info: 104 gallon cubish 36x24x28

03/01/2008, 08:55 AM	#2
kar93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lincoln Posts: 5,521	instead of putting LR in there you could just take a cup of sand out of the display and then put that in there.

03/01/2008, 09:00 AM	#3
tufacody Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,890	There is no problem putting LR in a QT tank so long as it always stays there and NEVER gets mixed up with the LR in your main tank. If you're using it as a bio filter, I dont see why the standard 1-2 lbs per gallon would be any different. Just keep in mind many treatments will kill the bacteria in the LR anyway.

03/01/2008, 09:23 AM	#5
discocarp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 2,707	Live rock in QT is fine just don't run hyposalinity or copper or other meds with it. Not a great idea only because you can't treat stuff with it in the tank, but its great in a pinch. You don't need much. I ran a 58g reef tank for over a year with 15lbs of rock and medium fish load.

03/01/2008, 09:45 AM	#6
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	Why would it be harmful to use LR in hyposalinity? If the bacteria dies at that salt level then the bacteria would die on the sponge in the HOB filter anyways.

03/01/2008, 10:38 AM	#7
bureau13 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,936	I don't know if its so much a bacterial problem as an "other critters in the rock" problem. The die-off could also cause a cycle, which would defeat the purpose of having it in there in the first place. jds

03/01/2008, 11:30 AM	#9
JoeMomma Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 619	I've have about 15 lbs of live rock in my 33 gallon QT for months now. Only treated it with hyposalinity. Initial die off is substantial and you really have to clean it up. Afterwards there are no problems. My ammonia is unnoticeable.