Is one large peice of rock bad? 50lbs

homebrewdude · 10/22/2006, 09:12 AM

I picked up a cheap piece of coral base rock.
It is 50lbs
It has a large hole/cave in the center.

It looks nice, but it is dense and big.

Any problems in my tank? 120gal

Is there a reason why I got it cheap? ($.99 per lb)

Sk8r · 10/22/2006, 09:30 AM

If you're putting it in, I'd recommend putting eggcrate down under it, to keep three or two balance-points from resting 50 lbs of weight on the bottom glass. The eggcrate will spread out the weight.

You might also, with a hammer, reduce it to several pieces, taking care not to create too many raw surfaces, which are not yet colonized by bacteria. The problem with one massive rock is that the useful bacterial colonization is not as deep as that rock is large, so you sort of have to discount much of the mass of it from any calculation of the actual live rock needed for your tank...does that make any sort of sense?

chrisstie · 10/22/2006, 10:13 AM

I would also suggest splitting it into a few more manageable pieces to spread the weight and create more surface area. i don't see why you couldn't break it down into maybe 4-5 pieces if you still enjoy a very large chunky look.

Also you may want to try to preservet he cave in the center- if ind many folks like having a cave to look at and fish enjoy them

homebrewdude · 10/22/2006, 10:28 AM

I like the look of the rock the way it is now.
I just don't want it to crash through the bottom of the tank.

Here is a picture of the rock, on the lower left.

Maybe I could trade someone who would want a large rock for a large tank?

Is this something that people look for?

meche · 10/22/2006, 10:57 AM

IMO, the sand will distribute the weight enough so you don't need to worry. I know I don't need to tell you this because your an engineer but not all 50# are going to the glass through the contact points. There is a boyancy force negating some of the 50#.

I like the look. I'd keep it.

homebrewdude · 10/22/2006, 11:00 AM

There is close to 3" of sand around and under it.

I just wanted to ask the question.
I knew it would be "ok" otherwise I would have not have put it in.

I am making a list of "bad" items that I bought, this will be on that list

meche · 10/22/2006, 11:06 AM

Bad!? How come? I think the only thing they were worried about was that it wouldn't be as efficient a filter as #50 of smaller rocks. I think it looks great and would love to have a rock that big for asthetic purposes.

Sk8r · 10/22/2006, 11:13 AM

It's a very nice rock. You could probably offset its loss of filtration with another inch of sandbed---we're assuming being an engineer you have that bottom glass well supported...

homebrewdude · 10/22/2006, 11:18 AM

There is no support on the bottom glass
I wasn't sure how to do it.
The tank and stand are from the manufacture

N8ster · 10/22/2006, 11:22 AM

If you like the shape, then keep it as one piece. I would rather have a couple huge, interesting pieces, than have to worry about balancing and stacking smaller pieces.

Depending on the livestock in your tank, putting something under the rock besides sand might be a good idea. Some critters like digging under the sand, so while it may start on 3" of sand, it could end up sitting on the glass due to the animals tunneling under it and causing it to shift.

chrisstie · 10/22/2006, 11:29 AM

The pic totally helps us to see what you have - I say keep it and let the sand do its job if its resting on the top! I dont think it would be any different than having a bunch of smaller rocks stacked up like that - save for some of the surface area - but you'll be able to tell how best to handle your tank as you go

nmprisons · 10/22/2006, 12:23 PM

I like the rock ... a lot ... but, um, you gotta do something about that algae

homebrewdude · 10/22/2006, 12:26 PM

The algae is in another thread...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=955150

10/22/2006, 09:12 AM	#1
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	Is one large peice of rock bad? 50lbs I picked up a cheap piece of coral base rock. It is 50lbs It has a large hole/cave in the center. It looks nice, but it is dense and big. Any problems in my tank? 120gal Is there a reason why I got it cheap? ($.99 per lb)

10/22/2006, 09:30 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you're putting it in, I'd recommend putting eggcrate down under it, to keep three or two balance-points from resting 50 lbs of weight on the bottom glass. The eggcrate will spread out the weight. You might also, with a hammer, reduce it to several pieces, taking care not to create too many raw surfaces, which are not yet colonized by bacteria. The problem with one massive rock is that the useful bacterial colonization is not as deep as that rock is large, so you sort of have to discount much of the mass of it from any calculation of the actual live rock needed for your tank...does that make any sort of sense? __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/22/2006, 10:13 AM	#3
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	I would also suggest splitting it into a few more manageable pieces to spread the weight and create more surface area. i don't see why you couldn't break it down into maybe 4-5 pieces if you still enjoy a very large chunky look. Also you may want to try to preservet he cave in the center- if ind many folks like having a cave to look at and fish enjoy them __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

10/22/2006, 11:13 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It's a very nice rock. You could probably offset its loss of filtration with another inch of sandbed---we're assuming being an engineer you have that bottom glass well supported... __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/22/2006, 11:29 AM	#11
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	The pic totally helps us to see what you have - I say keep it and let the sand do its job if its resting on the top! I dont think it would be any different than having a bunch of smaller rocks stacked up like that - save for some of the surface area - but you'll be able to tell how best to handle your tank as you go __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

10/22/2006, 10:28 AM	#4
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	I like the look of the rock the way it is now. I just don't want it to crash through the bottom of the tank. Here is a picture of the rock, on the lower left. Maybe I could trade someone who would want a large rock for a large tank? Is this something that people look for?

10/22/2006, 10:57 AM	#5
meche Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 42	IMO, the sand will distribute the weight enough so you don't need to worry. I know I don't need to tell you this because your an engineer but not all 50# are going to the glass through the contact points. There is a boyancy force negating some of the 50#. I like the look. I'd keep it.

10/22/2006, 11:00 AM	#6
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	There is close to 3" of sand around and under it. I just wanted to ask the question. I knew it would be "ok" otherwise I would have not have put it in. I am making a list of "bad" items that I bought, this will be on that list

10/22/2006, 11:06 AM	#7
meche Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 42	Bad!? How come? I think the only thing they were worried about was that it wouldn't be as efficient a filter as #50 of smaller rocks. I think it looks great and would love to have a rock that big for asthetic purposes.

10/22/2006, 11:18 AM	#9
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	There is no support on the bottom glass I wasn't sure how to do it. The tank and stand are from the manufacture

10/22/2006, 11:22 AM	#10
N8ster Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 306	If you like the shape, then keep it as one piece. I would rather have a couple huge, interesting pieces, than have to worry about balancing and stacking smaller pieces. Depending on the livestock in your tank, putting something under the rock besides sand might be a good idea. Some critters like digging under the sand, so while it may start on 3" of sand, it could end up sitting on the glass due to the animals tunneling under it and causing it to shift.

10/22/2006, 12:23 PM	#12
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	I like the rock ... a lot ... but, um, you gotta do something about that algae __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

10/22/2006, 12:26 PM	#13
homebrewdude Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dyer Posts: 995	The algae is in another thread... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=955150