How much live rock

[txharley]

Ok, I haven't had a salt tank in a couple of years, and it seems that alot of the common practices have changed! My tank is 135 gallons with a wet/dry rated for up to 250g's with a Kent Nautilus T/E skimmer. 3 powerheads in tank as well as an emperor 400. I have 90lbs of aragonite sand plus about 40lbs of live sound used to seed. My question is, How much live rock is necessary for a Fish only set up with possible inhabitants being Porc. puffer, lionfish, yellow tang, emperor angel etc? (This is not a definite list, just an idea of what I want to end up with.) I've been told that denitrification will take place in the sand bed and take care of nitrates by some and that without 125lbs plus of live rock, that I will have constant nitrate problems by others. What do you guys suggest? Thanks.

 

[goldpuffer]

For your tank I suggest a half pound per gallon for fish only systems. If you don't have the money try using base rock and adding your live rock on top. I have a 75g fowlr and I have 46lbs in my tank. Remember that the live rock helps alot with your filtration.

 

[lion_crazz]

If you are planning to add delicate species like angels, tangs, and butterflies, I definitely would not skimp on the live rock. Get at least 100-130 lbs. of live rock in the tank.

 

[txharley]

So does the live sand bed perform any of the denitrification? If it does, what is the live rock doing differently? Thanks for your help.