How much live/dry rock do i need?

scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
I have a 125 gallon FOWLR tank. What ratio of live rock and dry rock do I need? Would 75# live rock and 75# dry rock be okay?
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
if i use the dead rock as a base, how will the microorganisms get to the dead rock? will my live sand help that?
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
The live rock will reseed the dead rock. I know of many people who have used dead rock for their coral reef set ups and through time algaes and bacteria have grown on them.
Something with live sand the stuff you buy on the shelf isnt live. Its just sand. Everything is dead in there. Its been on a sehlf for who know show long. You get a cup of ture live sand from a coral store or lfs in a few months that sand bed is fully of life.
 
scottnlisa

scottnlisa

Member
100 pounds tonga live rock, 3 years-old. No mantis shrimp, nuisance crabs. Filled with green caulerpa. $350
Is this a good deal? What is green caulerpa?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by scottnlisa
http:///forum/post/3218733
100 pounds tonga live rock, 3 years-old. No mantis shrimp, nuisance crabs. Filled with green caulerpa. $350
Is this a good deal? What is green caulerpa?

It is a plant that can go grow like crazy, and make the tank turn milky or green if it goes asexual. The price isn't bad. Most tang fish clean the caulerpa out real fast.
By it beng 3 years old you know it doesn't have bad hitchickers on it, unless the sellers tank is a mess and full of bad things.
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3218652
ok I always get
for this but. I must ask. what do you hope to accomplish with the LR
yeah you do. why do you always ask? peopl;e use rock for many reasons. natural landscape. filtration. hiding spots.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
how can you give a accurate answer unless you know what the hobbyists is trying to achieve are you saying its a one amount fits all situation ?
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3219089
how can you give a accurate answer unless you know what the hobbyists is trying to achieve are you saying its a one amount fits all situation ?
You cant. I just think you want hear the correct answer in your own head. If there is a correct answer that you feel will be sufficient enough. NOt flaming or being a butthole. I just want to know why you always ask why people use it. I gave a bunch of answers as to why I do.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
I gave a bunch of answers as to why I do.
exactly but we are not talking about you. the OP wants to know how much LR they should use. Are they using it for aesthetics , their bio filtration are they getting fish that need to constantly graze IMO all this goes into how much rock you want or need and it is NOT a one size fit all answer
 
trainfever

trainfever

Active Member
Actually the main reason for live rock is biological filtration. Yes it also serves to decorate the tank and create hiding places for the fish but natural biological filtration is the main reason. Normally the amount of rock used is 1 to 2 pounds of rock per gallon of water. Your tank should have between 125 and 250 pounds of rock. The 75 pounds of live rock will seed the dead rock but just dont overload your tank at first. Keep the bioload low until the dead rock matures, probably in about 6 months.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Actually the main reason for live rock is biological filtration
This is actually not true if one is using a live substratum or advanced mechanical filtration system. in that case the live rock is on the low end of the totem pole when it comes to nitrification. it is then relegated to the role of a source of algae and microorganisms
 
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