Do I need more Live Rock?

ChuckNasty · 05/14/2015, 03:57 PM

Hey guys here is a picture of my tank, its 24 gallons and just want some input on if I need more structure or if what I have is good. Any help is appreciated!!

scootshoot · 05/14/2015, 03:59 PM

Some rocks are more porous than others. General rule of thumb seems to be a pound of rock per gallon of water.

heathlindner25 · 05/14/2015, 04:09 PM

If your live rock is going to be your main source of filtration then I would say yes probably twice as much.

CuzzA · 05/14/2015, 04:14 PM

There's too many factors to say exactly. Bioload, density and surface area of rock, etc. I usually just aquascape for aesthetics and find it's usually just the right amount. You can compensate biological filtration in other areas and ways. Like in your sump. Denitrification is usually what's always lacking in tanks. We normally have no problem producing nitrates.

bob1825 · 05/14/2015, 04:17 PM

Take a look at the photos that people posts of their tanks. It will give you a good idea of the ways that different amounts of rock can make the tanks look. Good luck!

ChuckNasty · 05/14/2015, 04:22 PM

Well I have a protein skimmer and 3 big sponges in the back compartment, so no liverock is not my only filtration, I also have livesand and I plan on increasing my cleanup crew.

Dkuhlmann · 05/14/2015, 05:09 PM

Rock is a better filtration than sponges/mechanical filtration. If you keep the mechanical/sponge way then you are creating a nitrate bank in your tank. It's ok if you change the filters/sponges often enough. It's best if you read the sticky's at the top of this forum about setting up a tank. Lots of great info that will help you in the long run.

Dkuhlmann · 05/14/2015, 05:11 PM

So yes IMO you need more live rock. Do you have to have it? No, but then again I don't like mechanical filtration as I was old school years ago and now agree with lot's of rock and a sump with even more is better.

heathlindner25 · 05/14/2015, 05:50 PM

Even though you say you have a skimmer I still think the live rock is going to be your main source of filtration so I would get more.

CuzzA · 05/14/2015, 05:59 PM

Like I said. It depends on your bio load. I see one fish. Are you planning to add more and if so what type of fish? Some fish, like a neon goby can hardly be counted towards your bio load. May as well be considered another snail.

anthonys51 · 05/14/2015, 06:15 PM

you can get more rock if you like. i mean your tank can hold it and yes live rock is an excellent and natural filter, it also provides lots of spots for little critters to live. but like everyone else stated it all depends there really isn't just one way of doing things. if you only plan on keeping a very light bio-load then sure, you have more than enough . also at the end of the day if its working for you don't change it , i am a firm believer your live stock will tell you how your doing

tc2007 · 05/14/2015, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckNasty

Hey guys here is a picture of my tank, its 24 gallons and just want some input on if I need more structure or if what I have is good. Any help is appreciated!!

Do you have a sump? If so you can put CerMedia Ceramic media block. I have a 8X8X4 in mine. Has multiple times surface area compared to live rock.

05/14/2015, 05:09 PM	#7
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	Rock is a better filtration than sponges/mechanical filtration. If you keep the mechanical/sponge way then you are creating a nitrate bank in your tank. It's ok if you change the filters/sponges often enough. It's best if you read the sticky's at the top of this forum about setting up a tank. Lots of great info that will help you in the long run. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

05/14/2015, 05:11 PM	#8
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	So yes IMO you need more live rock. Do you have to have it? No, but then again I don't like mechanical filtration as I was old school years ago and now agree with lot's of rock and a sump with even more is better. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

05/14/2015, 03:59 PM	#2
scootshoot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 95	Some rocks are more porous than others. General rule of thumb seems to be a pound of rock per gallon of water.

05/14/2015, 04:09 PM	#3
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	If your live rock is going to be your main source of filtration then I would say yes probably twice as much.

05/14/2015, 04:14 PM	#4
CuzzA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 2,997	There's too many factors to say exactly. Bioload, density and surface area of rock, etc. I usually just aquascape for aesthetics and find it's usually just the right amount. You can compensate biological filtration in other areas and ways. Like in your sump. Denitrification is usually what's always lacking in tanks. We normally have no problem producing nitrates.

05/14/2015, 04:17 PM	#5
bob1825 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 22	Take a look at the photos that people posts of their tanks. It will give you a good idea of the ways that different amounts of rock can make the tanks look. Good luck!

05/14/2015, 04:22 PM	#6
ChuckNasty Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Spooner, WI. Posts: 105	Well I have a protein skimmer and 3 big sponges in the back compartment, so no liverock is not my only filtration, I also have livesand and I plan on increasing my cleanup crew.

05/14/2015, 05:50 PM	#9
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Even though you say you have a skimmer I still think the live rock is going to be your main source of filtration so I would get more.

05/14/2015, 05:59 PM	#10
CuzzA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 2,997	Like I said. It depends on your bio load. I see one fish. Are you planning to add more and if so what type of fish? Some fish, like a neon goby can hardly be counted towards your bio load. May as well be considered another snail.

05/14/2015, 06:15 PM	#11
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	you can get more rock if you like. i mean your tank can hold it and yes live rock is an excellent and natural filter, it also provides lots of spots for little critters to live. but like everyone else stated it all depends there really isn't just one way of doing things. if you only plan on keeping a very light bio-load then sure, you have more than enough . also at the end of the day if its working for you don't change it , i am a firm believer your live stock will tell you how your doing