live rock

Tony44 · 07/15/2007, 01:04 AM

How much live rock do you guys think I could fit into a 72 bow?

reefnetworth · 07/15/2007, 01:17 AM

it depends if you want a reef tank or fish with live rock. reef is considered 1.75 lbs. per gallon.
fish only with live rock (FOWLR) you add what ever appeals to you, as long as you have a good filtration system.

JDM

Tony44 · 07/15/2007, 01:26 AM

This tank is going to be a reef. Thing is, I have a 125 right now, with about 200 lbs in it, and I have another 100 lbs in a rubbermaid in the garage. I want this 72 to be a very nice SPS tank, I want it to be awesome. I am really considering breaking down the 125, and hopefully taking most of the rock from that tank (about 200lbs), and putting that, along with the 100 lbs in the garage, into the 72. Like I said, the 72 is gonna be a beautiful SPS tank, and the more rock the better.

Just dont know if I could fit close to 300 lbs into a 72 gallon? And still have it look nice.

Anyone ever done something like this before?

Thanks

sophia101 · 07/15/2007, 05:47 AM

Wow I dont honestly think that would work...IDT there would be any swimming space. If you are getting fish than there would be no swimming space. I would say 1-2 lbs per gallon is just fine. I wouldnt do less than like 50 lbs (IMO) and no more than maybe I'd say 100 lbs. It does also depend on what you want your tank to look like. I dont even think 300 lbs would fit. Anyone else have a say on it? I have a 12g NC with 15 lbs ( maybe a little more than that) and I wouldn't add any more, but its totally up to you. Good Luck

rbtwo4 · 07/15/2007, 06:06 AM

That tank might go thru the floor! 300lbs? Sounds excessive to me.

laserjim · 07/15/2007, 06:30 AM

I would put 100 in it and go from there.If it looks like you could add A LITTLE more go for it. You dont want to much because you will get to many dead spots and have problems with flow.300lbs no way!

Davidb6 · 07/15/2007, 08:39 AM

Sounds like the rock may be pretty dense; otherwise I donâ€™t think you could fit that much rock in a 72 bow. Ideally I think you should have nice light rock at about 1.25 to 1.5 lbs per gal.

Tony44 · 07/15/2007, 10:14 AM

Most of my rock is very porous actually. Have about 150lbs of Fiji in my 125, and 65lbs of very porous Marshall island in there as well. In the garage I have another 100lbs of Kaelini, which is pretty porous as well.

The reason I want to do this is because my 125 looks nice and all, but I only have PCs on it, and I do not plan to buy MHs, or T5s for it, cause the 72" fixture just costs way to much. Its never going to be a great tank, unlike the 72 which I have great plans for. If I were to bring down the 125, I would hate to sell all this rock that I paid so much for.

After thinking about it, it may not be a great idea, I totally forgot about dead spots, and that right there wouldnt really be a good thing.

WDWDen · 07/15/2007, 10:33 AM

What does SPS stand for??

Tony44 · 07/15/2007, 10:41 AM

Small polyp stony.

Sk8r · 07/15/2007, 10:45 AM

small polyp stony [actually there's another name besides stony, but it boils down to that and I can't remember the other term.]

Re the rock: if you populate your reef with blennies and gobies which go in and out of the rocks and nest there, you can fare very well. A sandsifter or rocksucker doesn't increase the bioload much---more helps to keep the tank clean, and as long as you uptake the phosphate they excrete [from eaten algae] you're ahead of the game. What you need is big holes for flowthrough, and some sandsifters, like pistol/goby combos---set your rock on eggcrate so they can't undermine it and get some sanddwellers like jawfish---just don't pack it clear to the glass, because you've got to clean. Give it room for a magfloat or your hand with a razor.

My tank is pretty rock-dense for a 54, and I have an Iwaki 100 with 2 sea swirls throwing so much current in there my fish develop muscles.

Stuff moves, and debris doesn't collect. For the first month I had trouble keeping my sand nailed down. Now that it's got a lot of bacteria it's staying put, and I'm pretty happy with it. [I'll have pix when I get my camera fixed.]

loosecannon · 07/15/2007, 01:36 PM

Tony44: With that much rock, thier would not not be much room for water. Sk8r, The word you are thinking of is S.P. Scleractinia.

07/15/2007, 01:04 AM	#1
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	live rock How much live rock do you guys think I could fit into a 72 bow?

07/15/2007, 01:17 AM	#2
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	it depends if you want a reef tank or fish with live rock. reef is considered 1.75 lbs. per gallon. fish only with live rock (FOWLR) you add what ever appeals to you, as long as you have a good filtration system. JDM __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

07/15/2007, 06:06 AM	#5
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	That tank might go thru the floor! 300lbs? Sounds excessive to me. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/15/2007, 06:30 AM	#6
laserjim Another Day In Paradise Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,956	I would put 100 in it and go from there.If it looks like you could add A LITTLE more go for it. You dont want to much because you will get to many dead spots and have problems with flow.300lbs no way! __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 430 gallon, 4 radion gen 3pro, 4 T5 bulbs, 60 inch Life Reef skimmer, Apex gold, 2 Dos dosers, ,80 gallon sump. 2 Cor pumps. 2 Ecotech MP 60 powerheads

07/15/2007, 10:45 AM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	small polyp stony [actually there's another name besides stony, but it boils down to that and I can't remember the other term.] Re the rock: if you populate your reef with blennies and gobies which go in and out of the rocks and nest there, you can fare very well. A sandsifter or rocksucker doesn't increase the bioload much---more helps to keep the tank clean, and as long as you uptake the phosphate they excrete [from eaten algae] you're ahead of the game. What you need is big holes for flowthrough, and some sandsifters, like pistol/goby combos---set your rock on eggcrate so they can't undermine it and get some sanddwellers like jawfish---just don't pack it clear to the glass, because you've got to clean. Give it room for a magfloat or your hand with a razor. My tank is pretty rock-dense for a 54, and I have an Iwaki 100 with 2 sea swirls throwing so much current in there my fish develop muscles. Stuff moves, and debris doesn't collect. For the first month I had trouble keeping my sand nailed down. Now that it's got a lot of bacteria it's staying put, and I'm pretty happy with it. [I'll have pix when I get my camera fixed.] __________________ 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%.

07/15/2007, 01:26 AM	#3
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	This tank is going to be a reef. Thing is, I have a 125 right now, with about 200 lbs in it, and I have another 100 lbs in a rubbermaid in the garage. I want this 72 to be a very nice SPS tank, I want it to be awesome. I am really considering breaking down the 125, and hopefully taking most of the rock from that tank (about 200lbs), and putting that, along with the 100 lbs in the garage, into the 72. Like I said, the 72 is gonna be a beautiful SPS tank, and the more rock the better. Just dont know if I could fit close to 300 lbs into a 72 gallon? And still have it look nice. Anyone ever done something like this before? Thanks

07/15/2007, 05:47 AM	#4
sophia101 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 318	Wow I dont honestly think that would work...IDT there would be any swimming space. If you are getting fish than there would be no swimming space. I would say 1-2 lbs per gallon is just fine. I wouldnt do less than like 50 lbs (IMO) and no more than maybe I'd say 100 lbs. It does also depend on what you want your tank to look like. I dont even think 300 lbs would fit. Anyone else have a say on it? I have a 12g NC with 15 lbs ( maybe a little more than that) and I wouldn't add any more, but its totally up to you. Good Luck

07/15/2007, 08:39 AM	#7
Davidb6 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Savanah Ga Posts: 770	Sounds like the rock may be pretty dense; otherwise I donâ€™t think you could fit that much rock in a 72 bow. Ideally I think you should have nice light rock at about 1.25 to 1.5 lbs per gal.

07/15/2007, 10:14 AM	#8
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Most of my rock is very porous actually. Have about 150lbs of Fiji in my 125, and 65lbs of very porous Marshall island in there as well. In the garage I have another 100lbs of Kaelini, which is pretty porous as well. The reason I want to do this is because my 125 looks nice and all, but I only have PCs on it, and I do not plan to buy MHs, or T5s for it, cause the 72" fixture just costs way to much. Its never going to be a great tank, unlike the 72 which I have great plans for. If I were to bring down the 125, I would hate to sell all this rock that I paid so much for. After thinking about it, it may not be a great idea, I totally forgot about dead spots, and that right there wouldnt really be a good thing.

07/15/2007, 10:33 AM	#9
WDWDen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 243	What does SPS stand for??

07/15/2007, 10:41 AM	#10
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Small polyp stony.

07/15/2007, 01:36 PM	#12
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	Tony44: With that much rock, thier would not not be much room for water. Sk8r, The word you are thinking of is S.P. Scleractinia. __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt