Formula for Live Rock?

[sprieto]

Is there a mathamatical formula to know how much live rock to add in a new tank?
Pounds per gallon or something?
I am starting a 60 gallon and am debating the live rock issue.

 

[trainfever]

Most people say 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of rock per gallon of water.

 

[snipe]

But thats a bunch of well I wont say it here. You may get 1 pound or 3/4 pounds of rock per gallon and like it that way.

 

[mudplayerx]

I'd say anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds for a reef tank. Any less and I don't think it is technically a "reef" tank. Make sure you get adequate water flow. 20 to 25 times your tank's volume should be pumping per hour in order for the live rock to do its thang.

 

[mudplayerx]

Oh, I forgot: here is my FAQ on buying and preparing live rock. I hope it helps.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/show...hreadid=157354

 

[snipe]

I have 1.5 pounds of rock as of right now and I plan on getting a few more "there part of the corals im getting" It really depends on what you like like I said you might get to 3/4 of rock per gallon and say you like it and call it quites but you never know till you get there.

 

[sprieto]

Thanks for the reponse, great info.
Damn, Live Rock is a little expensive.
Even at 1 pound per gallon, that would put me at 60 pounds!
Anywhere from $350 to $750.............(if my math is right, around $10 to $12 a pound).
I am looking at adding LR for cycle and better tank chemistry purposes.
I eventually want a fish only tank, but maybe a few inverts (anemones).
I think I might start low and maybe work me way up later.
As for circulation, I have a canister filter (350gph) and 2 PH (274gph), I hope thats good!
Thanks again.

 

[snipe]

Buy it offline you can get it for $4 a pound with shipping included.
And your math is alittle off it would be from $5.8 to $12.5 per pound.

 

[sprieto]

Thank you, your right.
I have been calling around the LFS and found it as low as $6 a pound.
Still searching.....

 

[evilbob22]

You can also use part base rock and part live rock to cut down on the expense.

 

[sprieto]

Sorry for the newbir lack of knowledge,
What's base rock?

 

[evilbob22]

NP... it's basically the same kind of rock as live rock, except that it is completely dead. It either was never in the water or has been out of it for a long time. Eventually the live stuff will colonize the base rock and turn it into live rock (in about 6 months to a year).

 

[sprieto]

Cool, do most LFS carry base rock, what is the average cost?
Thanks again for the responses.........

 

[evilbob22]

Some do, but I think most don't... You can find it by searching online. The first site I found by Googling "base rock" sells it for about $1.60/lb plus shipping as long as you are buying 20lbs or more.