How much live rock to add to dry rock for a 93 gallon?

Reefobsession · 01/15/2010, 09:05 PM

I am doing a 30"X30"X24" tall 93 gallon cube, and I want to do most base rock and some partial live rock.
How does this sound.
70#s of base rock
20#s of live
How does this sound?

NasotheHutt · 01/15/2010, 09:26 PM

Why not all live rock? Just curious.

Reeflooker · 01/15/2010, 09:31 PM

Sounds like a great plan. You can use less live rock if you wish, but it will take a little longer for your cube to cycle and season. A little live sand in the sump will work wonders.

AtlantaReefer · 01/15/2010, 09:34 PM

I would suggest using as much "live Rock" as possible. All rock will become live at some point and time. The more live rock the quicker you establish a good biological filter. So there is no hard answer such as 1lb of live rock per 3lbs of base rock. Use as much as you can afford. Because eventually your base rock will be colonized with nitrifying organisms as well as pods and feather dusters and you name it. But if not using live rock, or a lot of it. I would definitely suggest using ALL live sand. Just my oppinion.

pwfish · 01/15/2010, 10:03 PM

I just set up a 90 gal and used 100 lbs of dry rock and cycled the rock in a 30 gal trash can with about 10 lbs of live rock for about a month and then added it to my tank with about 20 lbs of live sand and 20 lbs of non-live sand and my tank is doing fine. So I think any ratio will work. I went with dry rock to get away from unwanted pests that come with the live rock.

Reefobsession · 01/16/2010, 12:26 AM

I am trying to avoid pests as well. I think that I will try it. In no hurry really. I honestly just want to do a cool scape for less cash. I have heard that using live sand is pointless?

upster · 01/16/2010, 12:44 AM

If you have the patience I say go for it. I will be going the dry base route for my next tank. I am right there with you about the pests.

Reefobsession · 01/16/2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upster

If you have the patience I say go for it. I will be going the dry base route for my next tank. I am right there with you about the pests.

How long do you think it takes? I know it always depends on the system. But I really don't see why it would take longer than 3 to 4 months to get a healthy bacteria going. I wont be adding SPS for a while anyway. Probably slowly add fish. Especially after almost going broke on my setup.

JK but it has put a dent in my wallet.

eros · 01/16/2010, 12:56 AM

I would do all dry personally. The rock will become live eventually and you won't have to worry about pests, you will just have to wait for it to cycle. I'm probably a bit biased at the moment since I just finished spending the last hour killing aiptasia.

It should take no more than 8 weeks to cycle, 4-6 in my experience. It depends on where the rock came from and how much dieoff/organics are on it. Well washed rock cycles pretty quick. Raising the temperature helps speed the process and some live sand will help too.

Reefobsession · 01/16/2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eros

I would do all dry personally. The rock will become live eventually and you won't have to worry about pests, you will just have to wait for it to cycle. I'm probably a bit biased at the moment since I just finished spending the last hour killing aiptasia.

It should take no more than 8 weeks to cycle, 4-6 in my experience. It depends on where the rock came from and how much dieoff/organics are on it. Well washed rock cycles pretty quick. Raising the temperature helps speed the process and some live sand will help too.

I would personaly just do all dead rock. But don't you need some "live rocK" in order for it to become live?

eros · 01/16/2010, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefobsession

I would personaly just do all dead rock. But don't you need some "live rocK" in order for it to become live?

No, just bacteria. Live sand will work for that. I'd ask a friend with an established tank if he'll trade you some new sand for a few cups of his live sand.

NasotheHutt · 01/16/2010, 05:49 AM

Makes sense. I'm building a cube the same size, I was thinking about using a few pieces from multiple sources and multiple regions for maximum bio-diversity. Maybe I'll look into adding some base rock, it would save some $$$.

What skimmer you using?

Reefobsession · 01/16/2010, 10:09 PM

USing a vertex Alpha 170

steevareno2002 · 01/16/2010, 10:16 PM

I saved a ton of $$$ using all Marco Key West rock and just seeded it with a friends live sand. I think it's worth it to save cash and have no pests. Plus you can cement/epoxy your rockwork outside the tank and take your time building.

OldNemo · 01/16/2010, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwfish

I just set up a 90 gal and used 100 lbs of dry rock and cycled the rock in a 30 gal trash can with about 10 lbs of live rock for about a month and then added it to my tank with about 20 lbs of live sand and 20 lbs of non-live sand and my tank is doing fine. So I think any ratio will work. I went with dry rock to get away from unwanted pests that come with the live rock.

Heater and powerhead in the trash can? Skimmer?

I am thinking about the same way of seeding dry rock.

Thanks

Reefobsession · 01/17/2010, 10:23 AM

Ok, I am just going to go with 80 #s of dry base rock for now and am going with 80#s of dead sand and 5#s of premiumaquatics aquacultured live sand.

symont · 01/17/2010, 02:36 PM

Please keep us informed on this. And take pictures on the way if you can. I will subscribe to this thread and follow your quest.

Reefobsession · 01/17/2010, 02:44 PM

Hopefully I will getting my tank tom!! I will post the link on this thread for my build. I will going to premium and getting
80#s of dry rock
80#s of dead sand
5#s of live
Sump

And hopefully stopping by my local aquarium store to pick up the tank and stand.

I won't have lighting for a week. I am waiting to get my tax return to buy my lighting.
I am going for a 400 w lumenbright large pendent with a coralvue dimmable ballast with a radium bulb. I can't wait. I have been busy starting up classes this semester.
Thanks all for your interest.

Reefobsession · 01/17/2010, 08:38 PM

Well guys, getting these things tom to get everything up and running:
93 gallon marineland tank
Stand
80#s of dry rock
85#s of sand

I am going to hold off on the sump for a little while. I want to build one eventually and my plastic tote will work fine for a the time being. Looks kinda of jerry rigged, but it will do for now. I will start a build thread tom night with some pics.
Wish me luck!! I'll need it...

Elysia · 01/18/2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eros

No, just bacteria. Live sand will work for that. I'd ask a friend with an established tank if he'll trade you some new sand for a few cups of his live sand.

As long as the only life you want out of your "live" rock is bacteria, than yes, that will work. But if "live" to you means more than just bacteria, then you best get some live rock. In March some of my live rock will have been in my tank for three years, but it is still showing new life all the time. I would have missed out on a lot of interesting things if my rock harbored bacteria only.

Reefobsession · 01/24/2010, 04:28 PM

I just want to thank everyone for their help. I have already started my build here is the thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5#post16447095

01/15/2010, 09:05 PM	#1
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	How much live rock to add to dry rock for a 93 gallon? I am doing a 30"X30"X24" tall 93 gallon cube, and I want to do most base rock and some partial live rock. How does this sound. 70#s of base rock 20#s of live How does this sound?

01/15/2010, 09:26 PM	#2
NasotheHutt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 278	Why not all live rock? Just curious. __________________ Have nothing in your home you do not believe to be beautiful, or know to be functional. - William Morris Current Tank Info: 180 delivered...working on stand

01/16/2010, 12:44 AM	#7
upster Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 143	If you have the patience I say go for it. I will be going the dry base route for my next tank. I am right there with you about the pests. __________________ "I've fixed it, it'll work this time." Just upgraded to a 58g Oceanic and the only thing I broke was the old tank.

01/16/2010, 05:49 AM	#12
NasotheHutt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 278	Makes sense. I'm building a cube the same size, I was thinking about using a few pieces from multiple sources and multiple regions for maximum bio-diversity. Maybe I'll look into adding some base rock, it would save some $$$. What skimmer you using? __________________ Have nothing in your home you do not believe to be beautiful, or know to be functional. - William Morris Current Tank Info: 180 delivered...working on stand

01/15/2010, 09:31 PM	#3
Reeflooker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vero Beach, Florida Posts: 27	Sounds like a great plan. You can use less live rock if you wish, but it will take a little longer for your cube to cycle and season. A little live sand in the sump will work wonders.

01/15/2010, 09:34 PM	#4
AtlantaReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 27	I would suggest using as much "live Rock" as possible. All rock will become live at some point and time. The more live rock the quicker you establish a good biological filter. So there is no hard answer such as 1lb of live rock per 3lbs of base rock. Use as much as you can afford. Because eventually your base rock will be colonized with nitrifying organisms as well as pods and feather dusters and you name it. But if not using live rock, or a lot of it. I would definitely suggest using ALL live sand. Just my oppinion.

01/15/2010, 10:03 PM	#5
pwfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 79	I just set up a 90 gal and used 100 lbs of dry rock and cycled the rock in a 30 gal trash can with about 10 lbs of live rock for about a month and then added it to my tank with about 20 lbs of live sand and 20 lbs of non-live sand and my tank is doing fine. So I think any ratio will work. I went with dry rock to get away from unwanted pests that come with the live rock.

01/16/2010, 12:26 AM	#6
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	I am trying to avoid pests as well. I think that I will try it. In no hurry really. I honestly just want to do a cool scape for less cash. I have heard that using live sand is pointless?

01/16/2010, 12:56 AM	#9
eros Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 878	I would do all dry personally. The rock will become live eventually and you won't have to worry about pests, you will just have to wait for it to cycle. I'm probably a bit biased at the moment since I just finished spending the last hour killing aiptasia. It should take no more than 8 weeks to cycle, 4-6 in my experience. It depends on where the rock came from and how much dieoff/organics are on it. Well washed rock cycles pretty quick. Raising the temperature helps speed the process and some live sand will help too.

01/16/2010, 10:09 PM	#13
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	USing a vertex Alpha 170

01/16/2010, 10:16 PM	#14
steevareno2002 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 508	I saved a ton of $$$ using all Marco Key West rock and just seeded it with a friends live sand. I think it's worth it to save cash and have no pests. Plus you can cement/epoxy your rockwork outside the tank and take your time building.

01/17/2010, 10:23 AM	#16
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	Ok, I am just going to go with 80 #s of dry base rock for now and am going with 80#s of dead sand and 5#s of premiumaquatics aquacultured live sand.

01/17/2010, 02:36 PM	#17
symont Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Blainville, Quebec Posts: 35	Please keep us informed on this. And take pictures on the way if you can. I will subscribe to this thread and follow your quest.

01/17/2010, 02:44 PM	#18
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	Hopefully I will getting my tank tom!! I will post the link on this thread for my build. I will going to premium and getting 80#s of dry rock 80#s of dead sand 5#s of live Sump And hopefully stopping by my local aquarium store to pick up the tank and stand. I won't have lighting for a week. I am waiting to get my tax return to buy my lighting. I am going for a 400 w lumenbright large pendent with a coralvue dimmable ballast with a radium bulb. I can't wait. I have been busy starting up classes this semester. Thanks all for your interest.

01/17/2010, 08:38 PM	#19
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	Well guys, getting these things tom to get everything up and running: 93 gallon marineland tank Stand 80#s of dry rock 85#s of sand I am going to hold off on the sump for a little while. I want to build one eventually and my plastic tote will work fine for a the time being. Looks kinda of jerry rigged, but it will do for now. I will start a build thread tom night with some pics. Wish me luck!! I'll need it...

01/24/2010, 04:28 PM	#21
Reefobsession Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IN Posts: 1,037	I just want to thank everyone for their help. I have already started my build here is the thread. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5#post16447095