live rock assistance

LCDR Noble · 11/04/2013, 05:23 PM

Ok I have about 150lbs of base rock in my 300 gallon and ready to start the cycle so I just ordered 25lbs of live rock from Marco Rocks to seed. I wanted to order 50lbs but the most they would let me buy is 25. Is there a reason for this? I thought the ideal amount was one lb per gallon of tank water to function as the biological filter. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

cloak · 11/04/2013, 05:28 PM

One pound per gallon is a fluke IMO. The beneficial bacteria will pretty much cover anything that's submerged. If you don't clean the back glass on a regular basis, it will function as a biological filter as well. Just as an example, you could replace your rock structure with LEGOS, and still create a happy healthy reef environment.

I hope that made since... GL.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

madweazl · 11/04/2013, 05:50 PM

Hmm, wonder what you could create with the larger Duplo block. Damn, now the gears are turning in my head.

thegrun · 11/04/2013, 08:09 PM

Well, the Lego's would work but not well as they have a basically flat surface, where good reef rock is very porous and all those holes, nooks and crannies provide additional surface space for the bacteria to colonize. The 1 to1.5 pounds of rock isn't an absolute, but experience has shown it to be a safe amount for a medium bio-load stocked tank. If you go much less than one pound per gallon you could run into issues with a heavily stocked tank. The rock can be mostly in either your DT or your refugium, it doesn't matter. As to your original question I have no idea why Marco would limit your live rock to 25 pounds, perhaps they are short on supply or state regulations limit the size. Yu could just make up the difference with more dry rock.

11/04/2013, 05:23 PM	#1
LCDR Noble Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 108	live rock assistance Ok I have about 150lbs of base rock in my 300 gallon and ready to start the cycle so I just ordered 25lbs of live rock from Marco Rocks to seed. I wanted to order 50lbs but the most they would let me buy is 25. Is there a reason for this? I thought the ideal amount was one lb per gallon of tank water to function as the biological filter. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. __________________ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Current Tank Info: custom 300 gallon acrylic build by Aquart

11/04/2013, 05:28 PM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	One pound per gallon is a fluke IMO. The beneficial bacteria will pretty much cover anything that's submerged. If you don't clean the back glass on a regular basis, it will function as a biological filter as well. Just as an example, you could replace your rock structure with LEGOS, and still create a happy healthy reef environment. I hope that made since... GL. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ture/index.php

11/04/2013, 05:50 PM	#3
madweazl Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 774	Hmm, wonder what you could create with the larger Duplo block. Damn, now the gears are turning in my head.

11/04/2013, 08:09 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Well, the Lego's would work but not well as they have a basically flat surface, where good reef rock is very porous and all those holes, nooks and crannies provide additional surface space for the bacteria to colonize. The 1 to1.5 pounds of rock isn't an absolute, but experience has shown it to be a safe amount for a medium bio-load stocked tank. If you go much less than one pound per gallon you could run into issues with a heavily stocked tank. The rock can be mostly in either your DT or your refugium, it doesn't matter. As to your original question I have no idea why Marco would limit your live rock to 25 pounds, perhaps they are short on supply or state regulations limit the size. Yu could just make up the difference with more dry rock.