saltwater live rock?

Question

i started a 72 gal tank... will i be able to get a good bio system with only 40 lbs of LR and 3 inches of LS?.. are there any alternative beside stacking so many LR?... I perhap a less rock aqurium....

Answer 1

It's usually recommended that if your using the Berlin method of filtration(live rock, sand, crabs, snails, etc) that you use 1 to 1.5 lbs of live rock per gallon. If you want less rock in the tank itself you can use more live rock in the sump if you have one. If you don't have a sump or the means to add in some more rock, either live or dead, a biowheel type filter may come in handy to increase your biological filtration. You could also look into using a wet/dry filter and using live rock rubble in there instead of the bioballs. It will accomplish the same thing as a sump system. Copperhead is completely right in tht you can use less expensive base rock and just seed it with live rock by stacking it on top of it. Dead rock will become live rock in a matter of months.

Answer 2

Well, if you consider the number of bacteria you get depends on the amount of surface area available for them to colonize, the more live rock you have, the better the biological filter. My saltwaer references recommend 1 lb of Pacific or 1 1/2-2 lbs of Atlantic/Carribean live rock per gallon of tank water. (Atlantic is less porous, so you need more to get the same amount of surface area)

All that rock does take up room in the tank, plus it can get expensive, so I can understand wanting to limit the amount you use. But when you stack the rock so there are plenty of "caves" your fish will make use of these, and the water will flow through better so you get much better filtration. If you don't want to buy all high quality live rock, buy about half as dry base rock and stack the good quality stuff on the top and in the front. I will look just as good, the live rock and sand will colonize the other rock with bacteria in no time, and you'll keep the cost lower.

If you're keeping only fish, no live rock is actually required, but any amount you use will increase the capability of your system to remove ammonia and nitrite.

Answer 3

Good response....we put dry rock in the base and built up from there with the appropriate amount of live rock. It does save a few dollars and the tank is beautiful. Many of our polyps, etc have spread around and made "home" on this rock, so it all worked out fine!
Off the subject....in a few months, you will start to see so many little creatures that came with your live rock! It is neat! We have about 10 little starfish!!!