Live Rock Questions!! Need help!!

[adam6883]

I have done a back search on all the Live rock posts on this website in the past year and read a majority of them. From everyones testimonials I now know that it is a great idea and a fun one to add the live rock. I currently have a 45 gallon tank and 5 damsels. Im running a amiracle wet dry filter with a rio 2100 pump and a single strip light. My question is what other things do I need before I can add the rock? How much more lighting? Do I need a protein skimmer? How much live rock do I add at a time? Should I definately not buy online like many have suggested in previous posts? How much should I start off adding and how much should I add total? I really need some help here guys. I don't know what to do. Please elaborate on all answers.
Thanks!!
-ad

 

[oceanblue]

there's an old rule of thumb 1lb/gal. or the tank size in weight of rock. This is still loosely followed, considered to be the minimum these days. I think it's based on the tank size and what you want to do with the tank. Your amiracle should be a typical wet/dry with trickle built in. for that kind of system I would definitely supplement with a skimmer, or consider changing the filtration to a different method like dsb/algae scrubber/refugium. The answer to first questions is you can add rock right now, you don't necessarily have to light the rock, unless there's something on the rock that you want to keep alive. As to how much you add at once, that depends on personal preference, some do it lump sum and get the cycle out of the way at once, others prefer to add it slowly..just a few lbs a week. for brand new setups I tend to add 3/4 of it, and then add in some choice pieces I find at the lfs as I find them. As to the comment to buying online, I've seen nothing but praise for ordering from this site, and it's cheaper typically than your lfs. but, the one advantage in buying it from your lfs is that you get to see it and pick the pieces you want. that's it man, you might do some more reading on filtration and figure out which method you want to follow or hybrid therein. research and learn my friend! HTH Dave