Live rock vs dry rock

Jrid1997 · 04/09/2016, 03:10 PM

I am going to be setting up a 75 gallon reef tang and I am going to use dry rock but I know live rock weighs more then dry rock. I know the rule of thumb is like 1 pound a gallon but how much is it for dry rock since it weighs less would 40 or 50 pounds be enough.

Reef Frog · 04/09/2016, 03:25 PM

Lots of variables here. Some rock is filled with holes and weighs considerably more then the dense stuff. Lighter is generally more desirable. I would not worry about weight too much and just go with the amount that allows you to create the aquascaoe thet you find visually appealing and offers good hiding places for fish and mobile inverts, and enough room to mount the kind of corals you want.

Grey Legion · 04/09/2016, 05:18 PM

If going dryrock, check out Pukani it is very light, easy to aquascape with and looks amazing at least IMHO..

Check our bulk reef supply on YT they have some great video's on it.

Turbosreef · 04/09/2016, 06:53 PM

Pukani is awesome for this best I have used. Got mine from Tampa bay saltwater

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

crocogator106 · 04/09/2016, 07:07 PM

I'm using 50lbs of Pukani in my 75g. Like other posts say check out Bulk Reef Supply's videos. BTW I also got my rock from them, looks awesome but just keep an eye on the phosphates.

Reef Frog · 04/09/2016, 07:43 PM

Meant to say live rock with holes can say considerably LESS than the dense stuff. Pukani is a good example.

TheAquatect · 04/09/2016, 07:53 PM

Not all rock is equal, as you are pointing out but you can have a successful tank with any of them. 1 pound per gallon is a general guide, I would not over think it. Many of us grow to appreciate minimalist rockscapes where the ratio is closer to 1/2 lb or less per gallon; In my latest build, I am using about 150 pounds for a 300 gallon tank.

A.Astore · 04/10/2016, 07:59 AM

I went with dry Pukani from BRS for my 150 gallon display and bought 80 pounds. I ended up putting some in the sump because there was so much. I think BRS even suggests 3/4 pound per gallon for dry Pukani which gives you the ability to have pieces to pick from. The other nice thing about BRS is you can put notes asking for specific things if you want (softball size or all large pieces) and they will try to pick the best pieces.

snorvich · 04/10/2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAquatect

Many of us grow to appreciate minimalist rockscapes where the ratio is closer to 1/2 lb or less per gallon; In my latest build, I am using about 150 pounds for a 300 gallon tank.

I agree. Much more visually appealing.

bashment · 04/10/2016, 01:22 PM

minimal landscape is what I aim for. I always use dry rock

Reef Frog · 04/10/2016, 02:04 PM

I too like some of the "minimalist" or "bonsai" scapes I see on this site. As a grower of a actual bonsai trees, I have never understood that word as applied to a reef aquarium however.

But sometimes I come across one that looks nice but I have to ask myself "where will they mount the coral?" Some don't have much room. I want lots of coral and room for them to grow without going to war on each other. So for me the trick is to create something that is elegant (which I think many mean when they say minimalistic), will provide good flow & micro environments, but has enough mounting space to allow me to spend large amounts of money on the coral. Combining elegance, a believably naturalistic look, enough room for lots of coral to grow based on their needs is what I'm after and is what I think is the pinnacle of the art of aquascaping. And that can be done in many different ways. Just another opinion!

HammerLover · 04/10/2016, 05:17 PM

I always prefer Liverock though, even there is some risks like hitchhikers (aiptasia, majanos or caulerpa). But Liverock made my tank during cycling stage kinda beautiful. A few small fanworms here and there, some small white sponges growing in low light spots, got also some pods, red macroalgae and a small blue hermit as a hitchhiker plus a bonus of purple and pink coralline.

Although liverock can be a bit more expensive, I prefer it for its natural beauty plus the freebie hitchikers

Volcmreefer · 04/10/2016, 05:31 PM

+1 for Pukani. Just ordered 50 lbs and 10 lbs of shelf (2 pieces) for my 75. Going to acid bath and then dose Lanthanum Chloride to attempt to remove phosphates prior to cycling them. We shall see how it goes....

04/09/2016, 03:10 PM	#1
Jrid1997 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 41	Live rock vs dry rock I am going to be setting up a 75 gallon reef tang and I am going to use dry rock but I know live rock weighs more then dry rock. I know the rule of thumb is like 1 pound a gallon but how much is it for dry rock since it weighs less would 40 or 50 pounds be enough.

04/09/2016, 05:18 PM	#3
Grey Legion Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 25	If going dryrock, check out Pukani it is very light, easy to aquascape with and looks amazing at least IMHO.. Check our bulk reef supply on YT they have some great video's on it. __________________ Just keep Swimming

04/09/2016, 07:53 PM	#7
TheAquatect I Could Stop If I Wanted Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wesley Chapel, Fl Posts: 518	Not all rock is equal, as you are pointing out but you can have a successful tank with any of them. 1 pound per gallon is a general guide, I would not over think it. Many of us grow to appreciate minimalist rockscapes where the ratio is closer to 1/2 lb or less per gallon; In my latest build, I am using about 150 pounds for a 300 gallon tank. __________________ Tank: 300 Gallon 96"x24"x30", 20" Ghost overflow Lighting: 4 Kessil A360WE, 8 T5 (4 B+, 4 Coral+) Circulation: 2 1" Sea Swirls, 2 Gyre 250, Vectra L1 return Filtration: NYOS Quantum 220

04/10/2016, 05:17 PM	#12
HammerLover Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Philippines, Manila Posts: 437	I always prefer Liverock though, even there is some risks like hitchhikers (aiptasia, majanos or caulerpa). But Liverock made my tank during cycling stage kinda beautiful. A few small fanworms here and there, some small white sponges growing in low light spots, got also some pods, red macroalgae and a small blue hermit as a hitchhiker plus a bonus of purple and pink coralline. Although liverock can be a bit more expensive, I prefer it for its natural beauty plus the freebie hitchikers __________________ Broke college student lol Current Tank Info: 10 gallon reef tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2558717

04/09/2016, 03:25 PM	#2
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Lots of variables here. Some rock is filled with holes and weighs considerably more then the dense stuff. Lighter is generally more desirable. I would not worry about weight too much and just go with the amount that allows you to create the aquascaoe thet you find visually appealing and offers good hiding places for fish and mobile inverts, and enough room to mount the kind of corals you want.

04/09/2016, 06:53 PM	#4
Turbosreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 122	Pukani is awesome for this best I have used. Got mine from Tampa bay saltwater Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

04/09/2016, 07:07 PM	#5
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	I'm using 50lbs of Pukani in my 75g. Like other posts say check out Bulk Reef Supply's videos. BTW I also got my rock from them, looks awesome but just keep an eye on the phosphates.

04/09/2016, 07:43 PM	#6
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Meant to say live rock with holes can say considerably LESS than the dense stuff. Pukani is a good example.

04/10/2016, 07:59 AM	#8
A.Astore Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Waynesboro, VA Posts: 418	I went with dry Pukani from BRS for my 150 gallon display and bought 80 pounds. I ended up putting some in the sump because there was so much. I think BRS even suggests 3/4 pound per gallon for dry Pukani which gives you the ability to have pieces to pick from. The other nice thing about BRS is you can put notes asking for specific things if you want (softball size or all large pieces) and they will try to pick the best pieces.

04/10/2016, 01:22 PM	#10
bashment Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 183	minimal landscape is what I aim for. I always use dry rock

04/10/2016, 02:04 PM	#11
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	I too like some of the "minimalist" or "bonsai" scapes I see on this site. As a grower of a actual bonsai trees, I have never understood that word as applied to a reef aquarium however. But sometimes I come across one that looks nice but I have to ask myself "where will they mount the coral?" Some don't have much room. I want lots of coral and room for them to grow without going to war on each other. So for me the trick is to create something that is elegant (which I think many mean when they say minimalistic), will provide good flow & micro environments, but has enough mounting space to allow me to spend large amounts of money on the coral. Combining elegance, a believably naturalistic look, enough room for lots of coral to grow based on their needs is what I'm after and is what I think is the pinnacle of the art of aquascaping. And that can be done in many different ways. Just another opinion!

04/10/2016, 05:31 PM	#13
Volcmreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 346	+1 for Pukani. Just ordered 50 lbs and 10 lbs of shelf (2 pieces) for my 75. Going to acid bath and then dose Lanthanum Chloride to attempt to remove phosphates prior to cycling them. We shall see how it goes....