How Much Live Rock Do I Need?

Uncle Boo · 05/29/2007, 08:03 PM

I have read 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon. Using that theory I added about 70 lbs of base rock to my tank. It doesn't look like I have room for another 75 lbs of live rock. Here is a shot of the tank with the base rock in it.

Lights off...

Lights on...

Unless the live rock is a lot heavier per piece than the base it doesn't look like I have a lot of room left. The base rock was very light and porous. How much live rock do you think I need to add?

szwab · 05/29/2007, 08:10 PM

a lot depends on the type and quality (health) of it. the pound/gallon is a guideline. are you doing a bare bottom tank? also depends on how stocked the tank will be and what livestock you'll have. I'd say go with what you have IMO another 75 lbs would lead to other problems i.e. circulation isssues. Once the tank has been up for a while you may decide to add more. or you may need to. was the base rock purchased dry? if so it woldn't be a bad idea to get a piece or 2 of "live rock" to seed the tank.

Saltwater_Dog · 05/29/2007, 08:40 PM

It doesnt look like you have room for much more. That is some nice base rock, I must say!

szwab · 05/29/2007, 08:48 PM

also don't forget some corals you get will come attached to rock as well

drummereef · 05/29/2007, 08:49 PM

Base rock, pound for pound, will be much lighter than 'live rock' which is full of water. If you were to remove the rock now that it's been sitting in your tank I'd bet you'd find you have a lot more than 1-1.5lb/gallon in there right now. You only need a couple of pieces of live rock to seed it.

You're going to love your ACjr btw. Best investment I made for my reef besides glass a water.

Uncle Boo · 05/29/2007, 09:32 PM

The base rock was added dry. Guess I goofed on the amount I needed, but it was really nice stuff. I am going to add subtrate. The book I read said to add it after the cycle. Maybe I should ring the author and have him show me how to get it under the rock .

Do you think 30lbs is enough to seed and get a cycle started?

szwab · 05/29/2007, 10:11 PM

all you really need to seed is a couple of pieces of good quality rock be selective and don't skimp sometimes paying the extra $$ pays off in the end . IMO I'd go ahead and siphon what detritus is on the bottom. Doesn't look like much (nice clean tank) and go ahead and add your sand. If you are doing a DSB and are hapy with your rocks layout. Don't worry too much about getting the sand under it will find it's way. Having too much under the rock could case the rock to shift if a critter digs it out and undercuts the rock. Adding thhe sand will also populate it with bacteria and help with your cycle. Seems as though you are well on your way to a well planned out reef. Keep reading and researching!

Impala1964 · 05/29/2007, 10:27 PM

Nice looking base rock wish more people would use it

demonsp · 05/29/2007, 10:32 PM

That much base rock will take forever to look anything like good LR. 1.5 lbs per gallon is maxed out and this is a total of live and base. I say look around theres very cool LR out there , www.reefscience.com

http://www.coralreeffarm.com/store.p...=crf_combo_box

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=876

Ect....

drummereef · 05/29/2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Uncle Boo
The base rock was added dry. Guess I goofed on the amount I needed, but it was really nice stuff. I am going to add subtrate. The book I read said to add it after the cycle. Maybe I should ring the author and have him show me how to get it under the rock .

Do you think 30lbs is enough to seed and get a cycle started?

You just need a couple pieces to seed it. It's possible you will have an extended cycle since most of it is base rock. There tends to be a lot of organic matter in rock like yours. You'll just have to keep testing. I love it personally, and will be using it in my next tank. If you aquascape some more while the tank is cycling you might find some more swimming space for your fish. Just looks like you hav a lot on the left side.

joejoe519 · 05/29/2007, 10:38 PM

your tank is gonna look awesome man. Give it some time. I wish I could get some LR like that around here. I have to order over the net for high quality LR.

Uncle Boo · 05/30/2007, 06:43 AM

The left side is my first attempt at building a pillar. I have a single piece of 3/4" pvc about 20" long set on a base in a U shape. The big rock on the bottom is sitting on the U to hold it in place. The middle section is 2 rocks zip tied to the pvc post. The top is 2 pieces of Tonga shelf. One had a hole in that fit over the pvc with a little help and the other I have zip tied. I thought having different heights would help in placing corals depending on their light requirement.

Shagsbeard · 05/30/2007, 06:56 AM

It will not take "for ever" to culture that rock, but I'd say six months to a year is reasonable. I've never heard the one about adding the sand after the "cycle". I guess the theory is that an ammonia spike would harm the bacteria growing in the sand. Makes sense. I doubt you will see much of an ammonia spike though. Get 5-10 lbs of quality live rock in there and let the tank run for a couple months. It should be very interesting to watch the life colonize the base rock.

dc · 05/30/2007, 08:00 AM

If you like it then that's enough. You can always get detrivore kits from http://inlandaquatics.com/prod/prod_refu.html or http://www.reefnutrition.com/ I'm sure there are others also.

sruiz · 05/30/2007, 09:01 AM

good looking tank. In my opinion you can fit easy another 25-50 pounds of live rock. It really depends on how you stack it. I have 75-80 pounds in my 55 gallon. I always move my rock around and some times people ask if I took some rock out. If you are really trying to fit more mabye you can break up some of the rock you already have. The way I have it set up now is stacked in the middle with enought room to clean the glass all the way around 360 degrees. It looks really cool. Try something new, just like a puzzle and I guarantee you wont get tired of re-arranging your rock. Have Fun.

szwab · 05/30/2007, 09:55 AM

another thing about the sand is no matter how much you clean it there will always be really fine particles that can create a "dust storm" in the tank that will then settle on your rock. Take care when adding it. Get a 3" or larger tube to act as a funnel to guide the sand to the bottom rather than just dropping it in, that should help out.

05/29/2007, 08:03 PM	#1
Uncle Boo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South New Jersey Shore Posts: 139	How Much Live Rock Do I Need? I have read 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon. Using that theory I added about 70 lbs of base rock to my tank. It doesn't look like I have room for another 75 lbs of live rock. Here is a shot of the tank with the base rock in it. Lights off... Lights on... Unless the live rock is a lot heavier per piece than the base it doesn't look like I have a lot of room left. The base rock was very light and porous. How much live rock do you think I need to add?

05/29/2007, 08:10 PM	#2
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	a lot depends on the type and quality (health) of it. the pound/gallon is a guideline. are you doing a bare bottom tank? also depends on how stocked the tank will be and what livestock you'll have. I'd say go with what you have IMO another 75 lbs would lead to other problems i.e. circulation isssues. Once the tank has been up for a while you may decide to add more. or you may need to. was the base rock purchased dry? if so it woldn't be a bad idea to get a piece or 2 of "live rock" to seed the tank. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

05/29/2007, 08:40 PM	#3
Saltwater_Dog Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Grand Isle, Louisiana Posts: 375	It doesnt look like you have room for much more. That is some nice base rock, I must say! __________________ GO TIGERS!!!!! Current Tank Info: 100 gal, 160 lbs Live Rock, 120 lbs Live Sand, Octopus HOB Skimmer, PC Lighting, 2-Koralia 3's, 2-Max Jett 900's, Filter Guys Ocean Wave + RO/DI 75gpd

05/29/2007, 08:48 PM	#4
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	also don't forget some corals you get will come attached to rock as well __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

05/29/2007, 08:49 PM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Base rock, pound for pound, will be much lighter than 'live rock' which is full of water. If you were to remove the rock now that it's been sitting in your tank I'd bet you'd find you have a lot more than 1-1.5lb/gallon in there right now. You only need a couple of pieces of live rock to seed it. You're going to love your ACjr btw. Best investment I made for my reef besides glass a water. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

05/29/2007, 09:32 PM	#6
Uncle Boo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South New Jersey Shore Posts: 139	The base rock was added dry. Guess I goofed on the amount I needed, but it was really nice stuff. I am going to add subtrate. The book I read said to add it after the cycle. Maybe I should ring the author and have him show me how to get it under the rock . Do you think 30lbs is enough to seed and get a cycle started?

05/29/2007, 10:11 PM	#7
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	all you really need to seed is a couple of pieces of good quality rock be selective and don't skimp sometimes paying the extra $$ pays off in the end . IMO I'd go ahead and siphon what detritus is on the bottom. Doesn't look like much (nice clean tank) and go ahead and add your sand. If you are doing a DSB and are hapy with your rocks layout. Don't worry too much about getting the sand under it will find it's way. Having too much under the rock could case the rock to shift if a critter digs it out and undercuts the rock. Adding thhe sand will also populate it with bacteria and help with your cycle. Seems as though you are well on your way to a well planned out reef. Keep reading and researching! __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

05/29/2007, 10:27 PM	#8
Impala1964 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Modesto Ca Posts: 126	Nice looking base rock wish more people would use it

05/29/2007, 10:32 PM	#9
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	That much base rock will take forever to look anything like good LR. 1.5 lbs per gallon is maxed out and this is a total of live and base. I say look around theres very cool LR out there , www.reefscience.com http://www.coralreeffarm.com/store.p...=crf_combo_box http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=876 Ect....

05/29/2007, 10:38 PM	#11
joejoe519 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada Posts: 3	your tank is gonna look awesome man. Give it some time. I wish I could get some LR like that around here. I have to order over the net for high quality LR. __________________ Friends help you move, Real friends help you move bodies.

05/30/2007, 06:43 AM	#12
Uncle Boo Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South New Jersey Shore Posts: 139	The left side is my first attempt at building a pillar. I have a single piece of 3/4" pvc about 20" long set on a base in a U shape. The big rock on the bottom is sitting on the U to hold it in place. The middle section is 2 rocks zip tied to the pvc post. The top is 2 pieces of Tonga shelf. One had a hole in that fit over the pvc with a little help and the other I have zip tied. I thought having different heights would help in placing corals depending on their light requirement.

05/30/2007, 06:56 AM	#13
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	It will not take "for ever" to culture that rock, but I'd say six months to a year is reasonable. I've never heard the one about adding the sand after the "cycle". I guess the theory is that an ammonia spike would harm the bacteria growing in the sand. Makes sense. I doubt you will see much of an ammonia spike though. Get 5-10 lbs of quality live rock in there and let the tank run for a couple months. It should be very interesting to watch the life colonize the base rock.

05/30/2007, 08:00 AM	#14
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	If you like it then that's enough. You can always get detrivore kits from http://inlandaquatics.com/prod/prod_refu.html or http://www.reefnutrition.com/ I'm sure there are others also. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

05/30/2007, 09:01 AM	#15
sruiz Reef'R Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Searching... Posts: 1,381	good looking tank. In my opinion you can fit easy another 25-50 pounds of live rock. It really depends on how you stack it. I have 75-80 pounds in my 55 gallon. I always move my rock around and some times people ask if I took some rock out. If you are really trying to fit more mabye you can break up some of the rock you already have. The way I have it set up now is stacked in the middle with enought room to clean the glass all the way around 360 degrees. It looks really cool. Try something new, just like a puzzle and I guarantee you wont get tired of re-arranging your rock. Have Fun. __________________ Don't forget your water change.

05/30/2007, 09:55 AM	#16
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	another thing about the sand is no matter how much you clean it there will always be really fine particles that can create a "dust storm" in the tank that will then settle on your rock. Take care when adding it. Get a 3" or larger tube to act as a funnel to guide the sand to the bottom rather than just dropping it in, that should help out. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex