How much live rock?

zeblisik · 05/16/2006, 08:07 PM

Is the calculation for the amount of live rock based upon total system volume?

I read most people discussing how much live rock based upon the volume of their main tank... but if a person has a 200 gallon tank and 100 gallons in their sump, wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t this effect the calculations?

scrmbld33 · 05/16/2006, 08:10 PM

really it depends on bioload, id go for the 1-2 pounds per gallon of the display,if it will be a heavily stocked tank you could add some to the sump/fuge

zeblisik · 05/16/2006, 08:27 PM

I have 90 gal total system volume w/ 2 inline fuges.
The main is 30 gal only.

One fuge will have a DSB and zooplankton. the other will be seagrass and/or alge with perhaps some seahorses.

At 2 times the volume of the main I'd have 60 lbs. But I guess it wouldnt be feasable to physically put more than that in a 30 gal aquarium.

jdm01 · 05/16/2006, 08:33 PM

I have a 30g and a 90g. The 90g is a little over 1x system volume. It will grow over time. I am at the picky design stage now. The 30g is around 1x system volume. They both work fine.

sunfishh · 05/16/2006, 09:13 PM

What your goal? Why are you using live rock? Will it act as your bio filter, are you setting up a reef or is it just for decoration? These factors will all affect the amount of live rock you use.

zeblisik · 05/17/2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sunfishh
What your goal? Why are you using live rock? Will it act as your bio filter, are you setting up a reef or is it just for decoration? These factors will all affect the amount of live rock you use.

To be used as bio filtration.

zeblisik · 05/17/2006, 11:15 AM

So when using LR for bio filtration how much should I use?

fsa · 05/17/2006, 08:11 PM

zeb, most people say between 1 to 2 pounds per gallon depending on the kind of rock you get. If it is very porous, then one pound is the suggestion. If not porous, but very dense, then people suggest 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per gallon of water.

I would not stick strictly to these parameters, but also base it on aesthetics/landscaping. I personally like quite a bit of swimming room for the fish which means less rock.

Frank

Pete1399 · 05/17/2006, 09:05 PM

1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon for your display tank. You can only put so much LR in the display before it is too crowded.

sunfishh · 05/20/2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete1399
1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon for your display tank. You can only put so much LR in the display before it is too crowded.

If it looks too crowded then I would put some in the sump.

zeblisik · 05/20/2006, 06:42 AM

Pete and sunfish,

That makes perfect sense,
thanks.

05/16/2006, 08:07 PM	#1
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	How much live rock? Is the calculation for the amount of live rock based upon total system volume? I read most people discussing how much live rock based upon the volume of their main tank... but if a person has a 200 gallon tank and 100 gallons in their sump, wouldnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t this effect the calculations?

05/16/2006, 08:10 PM	#2
scrmbld33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: south jersey 08050 Posts: 2,394	really it depends on bioload, id go for the 1-2 pounds per gallon of the display,if it will be a heavily stocked tank you could add some to the sump/fuge __________________ a left over shrimp shedding is not "a sicilian message meaning luca brasi sleeps with the fishes" fish are friends, not food Current Tank Info: 90gal salt, 2 250mh 14k hamiltons 2 110 actinic, 127lbs LR,50lbs tonga 70lbs indonesia 7lbs tonga branch asm g3

05/16/2006, 08:33 PM	#4
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 904	I have a 30g and a 90g. The 90g is a little over 1x system volume. It will grow over time. I am at the picky design stage now. The 30g is around 1x system volume. They both work fine. __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon BioCube

05/16/2006, 09:13 PM	#5
sunfishh Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fullerton, Ca Posts: 1,875	What your goal? Why are you using live rock? Will it act as your bio filter, are you setting up a reef or is it just for decoration? These factors will all affect the amount of live rock you use. __________________ It's nice to be important, but important to be nice

05/17/2006, 09:05 PM	#9
Pete1399 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Im right here Posts: 369	1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon for your display tank. You can only put so much LR in the display before it is too crowded. __________________ Pete Current Tank Info: 75g, CSS220 Skimmer, DIY CREE LEDs, DIY Canopy, DIY Stand, 29g sump/fuge, Tunze nanostreams

05/16/2006, 08:27 PM	#3
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	I have 90 gal total system volume w/ 2 inline fuges. The main is 30 gal only. One fuge will have a DSB and zooplankton. the other will be seagrass and/or alge with perhaps some seahorses. At 2 times the volume of the main I'd have 60 lbs. But I guess it wouldnt be feasable to physically put more than that in a 30 gal aquarium.

05/17/2006, 11:15 AM	#7
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	So when using LR for bio filtration how much should I use?

05/17/2006, 08:11 PM	#8
fsa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 412	zeb, most people say between 1 to 2 pounds per gallon depending on the kind of rock you get. If it is very porous, then one pound is the suggestion. If not porous, but very dense, then people suggest 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per gallon of water. I would not stick strictly to these parameters, but also base it on aesthetics/landscaping. I personally like quite a bit of swimming room for the fish which means less rock. Frank

05/20/2006, 06:42 AM	#11
zeblisik Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 393	Pete and sunfish, That makes perfect sense, thanks.