Too much LR?

lmsmith · 04/21/2009, 05:42 AM

I filled my tank today and added my 1 tiny peice of LR, that's covered in diatoms.

The tank is about 200L. According to the 1 - 1.5lb per gallon rule, I should have around 25 - 35kg of LR.

My tank is only going to have fish right now (2 puffer fish) and they like lots of hidey holes. So, the question is, can I have too much LR? Will it cause major biological issues, or is too much LR mainly an issue for space for growing corals?

kzickovich · 04/21/2009, 06:04 AM

as long as it don't restrict flow your ok. you don't want food getting traped behind rocks flow is the key

GW81 · 04/21/2009, 07:11 AM

the biggest problem with too much LR is it can start to create dead spots in your tank. These are areas where the flow rarely gets and everything starts to settle. A very experienced reefer once told me the rule that i follow today. You want as few rocks touching the bottom as you can. Get a few large ones to be the foundation, and then pile up from there.

thegrun · 04/21/2009, 10:35 AM

For a fish only tank, the other limitation to how much LR is keeping open areas for the fish to swim.

drummereef · 04/21/2009, 11:43 AM

lmsmith,

To Reef Central

firsthesitation · 04/21/2009, 11:44 AM

Best rule of thumb is put as much in as you think looks right. If you feel like you HAVE To put too much in you'll probly end up trying to figure out a way to use it all and won't like your aquascape.

1602reefer · 04/21/2009, 11:56 AM

IMHO, I never think you can have too much live rock as long as you have enough flow to take out the dead/ anoxic zones. You could potentially have live rock all the way up to the surface, but then if you want coral you are limited on space for their growth. More live rock will also help immensely with your water quality but also with a lot you are going to need a good skimmer to take out all the broke down waste from it. It's really up to you, i would just stick to the rule you mentioned, 1-1.5 lbs per gallon but you can always add a little more if you don't like what that gives you.

lmsmith · 04/21/2009, 03:14 PM

Thanks guys. Expect some aquascaping pics to follow, I get my rock this week.

I'm so excited!

04/21/2009, 05:42 AM	#1
lmsmith Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 323	Too much LR? I filled my tank today and added my 1 tiny peice of LR, that's covered in diatoms. The tank is about 200L. According to the 1 - 1.5lb per gallon rule, I should have around 25 - 35kg of LR. My tank is only going to have fish right now (2 puffer fish) and they like lots of hidey holes. So, the question is, can I have too much LR? Will it cause major biological issues, or is too much LR mainly an issue for space for growing corals?

04/21/2009, 06:04 AM	#2
kzickovich Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zion Il Posts: 959	as long as it don't restrict flow your ok. you don't want food getting traped behind rocks flow is the key __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: 90 Gal mixed reef 55 Gallon basement pump up Sump 25 Gal fuge 2 Mp40 DIY led light fixture Bubble King Mini 200 Gen2 skimmer BRS Duel reactor

04/21/2009, 11:43 AM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	lmsmith, *To Reef Central* __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/21/2009, 11:44 AM	#6
firsthesitation Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Winona MN Posts: 165	Best rule of thumb is put as much in as you think looks right. If you feel like you HAVE To put too much in you'll probly end up trying to figure out a way to use it all and won't like your aquascape. __________________ Nick There's a reason why blood, sweat and tears are all salty. I have saltwater coursing through my veins. - Melev Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon RR, SPS dominated, Outer Orbit 2x250 (14k)MH 4x54 T5, Bubble King Mini160, Tunze Ozmolator 3155, Eheim 1262

04/21/2009, 11:56 AM	#7
1602reefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 93	IMHO, I never think you can have too much live rock as long as you have enough flow to take out the dead/ anoxic zones. You could potentially have live rock all the way up to the surface, but then if you want coral you are limited on space for their growth. More live rock will also help immensely with your water quality but also with a lot you are going to need a good skimmer to take out all the broke down waste from it. It's really up to you, i would just stick to the rule you mentioned, 1-1.5 lbs per gallon but you can always add a little more if you don't like what that gives you. __________________ want to learn. Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef tank, 4 x 54 watt t5 light, 60+ lbs of figi live rock, backpack2 skimmer, 2 korallia 3's.

04/21/2009, 07:11 AM	#3
GW81 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 79	the biggest problem with too much LR is it can start to create dead spots in your tank. These are areas where the flow rarely gets and everything starts to settle. A very experienced reefer once told me the rule that i follow today. You want as few rocks touching the bottom as you can. Get a few large ones to be the foundation, and then pile up from there.

04/21/2009, 10:35 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	For a fish only tank, the other limitation to how much LR is keeping open areas for the fish to swim.

04/21/2009, 03:14 PM	#8
lmsmith Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 323	Thanks guys. Expect some aquascaping pics to follow, I get my rock this week. I'm so excited!