Too much live rock

Remmers · 10/17/2014, 11:25 AM

Can you ever have to much rock in your reef, or is it a personal preference as to the lay out/appearance?

DivingTheWorld · 10/17/2014, 11:28 AM

I would say possibly if it impedes flow. But really I think it's just personal preference on the look of your tank. More liverock is generally better than less.

Colorfulreefaqu · 10/17/2014, 11:54 AM

Yes, it can kill ur flow. People think they need tons of LR in their DT. Personally I think it looks horrible.

Check out Marine Pure Bio Media. I can run two boxes of balls in my sump with good skimming, and put to shame every tank stacked full of LR without one single rock in my DT. The surface area is just insane. The rock currently in my DT is for viewing pleasure and coral placement only basically. Sure, everything helps...but it's just not needed in my system. I have the big block and 2 lbs of balls. :-)

phillrodrigo · 10/17/2014, 12:03 PM

It also traps more derititus. I think the 1 lb per gallon is the way to go I have a little bit more maybe 80 to 90 in a 75.

wildman926 · 10/17/2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillrodrigo

It also traps more derititus. I think the 1 lb per gallon is the way to go I have a little bit more maybe 80 to 90 in a 75.

To overcome this issue, use a turkey baster to blast the rocks one in a while. Watch everything go nuts wanting to absorb what was released in the water column.

inetmug · 10/17/2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorfulreefaqu

Yes, it can kill ur flow. People think they need tons of LR in their DT. Personally I think it looks horrible.

Check out Marine Pure Bio Media. I can run two boxes of balls in my sump with good skimming, and put to shame every tank stacked full of LR without one single rock in my DT. The surface area is just insane. The rock currently in my DT is for viewing pleasure and coral placement only basically. Sure, everything helps...but it's just not needed in my system. I have the big block and 2 lbs of balls. :-)

My balls weight 10# I think

Seriously, you gotta scrub your balls over time to keep them clean

With the right CUC, things should be just peachy for the heavy rockers out there...

reefgeezer · 10/17/2014, 02:05 PM

I might have 60-65 lbs total in my 110 gallon system. I also dose a small amount of vinegar and have a decent skimmer. Ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate are always 0 (Salifert). I think even 1 lb. per gallon is overkill if you are using reasonably porous rock.

codyreed29 · 10/17/2014, 02:46 PM

I have too much in my ten gallon only could clean half the front glass but am now reducing it into a new tank. I plan for about 40 or more lbs plus 1000 grams of marineland biomedia and a gallon of coralife bioballs. I can remove the top and rinse the biomedia or remove and clean them out replace. In a 29 gallon aquarium.

Rob6311 · 10/17/2014, 05:19 PM

Of course you can if there's so much rock that you can't put water into the tank lol. But to be serious you should do around a pound per gallon

Remmers · 10/17/2014, 05:55 PM

I guess my question was more about appearance then what live rock does.

My tank is fine and all is good, I just have been looking at pictures of other tanks and some have hardly any and some are packed.

With a reef tank and adding corals is it better to have a bigger base of live rock to allow the corals to attach to?

Rob6311 · 10/17/2014, 08:46 PM

As long as the rocks are not taking over the tank then you should be fine, you should just make the tank look how you want it to look.

AntiSatan · 10/18/2014, 01:49 AM

Its really a personal preference on how much rock is in your tank. Some like the minimal look some like a more full looking tank. the lb per gallon thing is kind of hard to judge as rock can vary quite bit in density.
Go with what makes you happy in aquascaping and work with it.

Retromagnolia · 10/18/2014, 10:36 PM

I agree with everyone. It's definately a matter of personal preference. I've tried both ways and ended up with less rock stacked into small islands. This is because I'm more interested in sps/lps corals. In my eyes I can't afford any "dead spots" in the tank that could cause nitrate spikes. Now on the other hand, if I was more interested in fish then I would want to make sure there is enough rock in in there for them to find hiding spots. But maybe just keep in mind that in the ocean, a natural reef almost always gets water flow from all angles. It's not really natural for any rock structure to only receive flow from one side. (Nitrate trap) Just food for thought

10/17/2014, 11:25 AM	#1
Remmers Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 332	Too much live rock Can you ever have to much rock in your reef, or is it a personal preference as to the lay out/appearance?

10/17/2014, 02:05 PM	#7
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	I might have 60-65 lbs total in my 110 gallon system. I also dose a small amount of vinegar and have a decent skimmer. Ammonia, nitrite, & nitrate are always 0 (Salifert). I think even 1 lb. per gallon is overkill if you are using reasonably porous rock. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef

10/17/2014, 02:46 PM	#8
codyreed29 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 892	I have too much in my ten gallon only could clean half the front glass but am now reducing it into a new tank. I plan for about 40 or more lbs plus 1000 grams of marineland biomedia and a gallon of coralife bioballs. I can remove the top and rinse the biomedia or remove and clean them out replace. In a 29 gallon aquarium. __________________ 27 Rimless cube DIY lights and sump mag 5 cad lights pls 100 jeabo rw4 jeabo dp4

10/18/2014, 01:49 AM	#12
AntiSatan Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Awatukee, Arizona Posts: 428	Its really a personal preference on how much rock is in your tank. Some like the minimal look some like a more full looking tank. the lb per gallon thing is kind of hard to judge as rock can vary quite bit in density. Go with what makes you happy in aquascaping and work with it. __________________ TNPer Sheepdog Fear No Evil Current Tank Info: DSA Neo 105, 2 AI Hydra 52's,Bubble Magnus Curve 7 skimmer,Eshopps Gen 3 R100 Refugium supmp ,VorTech MP40wQD and Maxspect Gyre XF130

10/17/2014, 11:28 AM	#2
DivingTheWorld Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 1,963	I would say possibly if it impedes flow. But really I think it's just personal preference on the look of your tank. More liverock is generally better than less.

10/17/2014, 11:54 AM	#3
Colorfulreefaqu Moved On Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 51	Yes, it can kill ur flow. People think they need tons of LR in their DT. Personally I think it looks horrible. Check out Marine Pure Bio Media. I can run two boxes of balls in my sump with good skimming, and put to shame every tank stacked full of LR without one single rock in my DT. The surface area is just insane. The rock currently in my DT is for viewing pleasure and coral placement only basically. Sure, everything helps...but it's just not needed in my system. I have the big block and 2 lbs of balls. :-)

10/17/2014, 12:03 PM	#4
phillrodrigo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: quaker hill ct Posts: 2,433	It also traps more derititus. I think the 1 lb per gallon is the way to go I have a little bit more maybe 80 to 90 in a 75.

10/17/2014, 05:19 PM	#9
Rob6311 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 704	Of course you can if there's so much rock that you can't put water into the tank lol. But to be serious you should do around a pound per gallon

10/17/2014, 05:55 PM	#10
Remmers Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 332	I guess my question was more about appearance then what live rock does. My tank is fine and all is good, I just have been looking at pictures of other tanks and some have hardly any and some are packed. With a reef tank and adding corals is it better to have a bigger base of live rock to allow the corals to attach to?

10/17/2014, 08:46 PM	#11
Rob6311 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 704	As long as the rocks are not taking over the tank then you should be fine, you should just make the tank look how you want it to look.

10/18/2014, 10:36 PM	#13
Retromagnolia Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Venice, fl Posts: 20	I agree with everyone. It's definately a matter of personal preference. I've tried both ways and ended up with less rock stacked into small islands. This is because I'm more interested in sps/lps corals. In my eyes I can't afford any "dead spots" in the tank that could cause nitrate spikes. Now on the other hand, if I was more interested in fish then I would want to make sure there is enough rock in in there for them to find hiding spots. But maybe just keep in mind that in the ocean, a natural reef almost always gets water flow from all angles. It's not really natural for any rock structure to only receive flow from one side. (Nitrate trap) Just food for thought