Copper and Live Rock question??

[hondaboi2000]

I am getting ready to setup a 75 gallon fish only salt tank and was wondering if Live rock is essential and if so, how much should I add? I had thought of just adding aragonite and big pieces of the "Fake" coral in for decoration to keep some of the cost down...also, if there is live rock in a tank and its treated with copper, will it kill the live rock? I guess what I am trying to get at is with people just having Fish only tanks and they break out with Ich and treat with copper, does it kill your live rock and if it does then wouldn't it be better to use those "fake" corals as decorations rather than live rock...Please any and all comments would be great...thank you

 

[10k]

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think Copper will effect the bacteria in the live rock. It will however kill off the invertebrate population living within it. IMO live rock is absolutely nessesary in any type of saltwater setup. It is the backbone of the boilogical filtration....I think the rule of thumb for LR lbsgal is 2-3lbs. per gallon tank + sump ( if so equipped)...Good Luck

 

[krusk]

should not use any copper product with your main tank
Live lock and live sand will die

 

[nm reef]

I'll try to answer you in 3 ways....
1) Live rock will greatly benefit your filtering ... plus there will be numerous benficial life forms that will diversify your system. Pods and worms ... assorted types of micro fauna that are a benefit to a mature/stable reef...so LR would be a positive.
2) Fake decorations will need to be removed and cleaned from time to time(I've seen them looking green no matter the origional color)...algaes will attract to them and they ..in my opinion..just look nasty if not kept clean. Plus the fake stuff offers no filtering benefits that I'm aware of.
3) If copper is present in a system that has LR...yes the copper will do damage...the bacteria and life that aids in filtering will be seriously damaged ... possible even result in "dead rock"...not to mention that most inverts will be seriously damaged by copper...but there are other ways to deal with situations as they arise other than treating with copper.
Personally I would suggest a system with 1-2 lbs LR per gal...3"-6" DSB(with as much diversity as possible)...and a refugium or sump/refugium...circulation that turns over the systems approximately 8-10 times per hour...and lighting intense enough to keep the life that you plan to keep. Anything artificial would take away from the natural type environment I'm looking for. If you could ever call a 55 gal glass container natural.....

 

[hondaboi2000]

Many thanks all you guys for your suggestions....Now if I decide not to use any live rock then what type of filtration should I use for a fish only tank and how many fish can be kept in a 75...I currently have a clown trigger and stars and stripes that a friend is keeping till I get this tank up...thanks to you all