Live rock?
- Thread starter blj1234
- Start date
kris walker
Active Member
LR is rock enrusted with live stuff like bacteria, algae, inverts, corals, etc. It is used for bio filteration (something not needed in fresh), decoration, and for places corals can adhere to.
A good rule of thumb is 1-2 lbs per gallon, depending on what type of fish you want in your tank (swimming space is precious for some fish).
The best substrate to get is sand, and I still recommend arragonite over silica, although some are saying silica is not bad. Do a search to learn more.
Tips? I would suggest a good book. It will prove invaluable if it is a good one. I would also do a search on somethign like "Good book".
Best wishes and welcome to the addiction,
sam
A good rule of thumb is 1-2 lbs per gallon, depending on what type of fish you want in your tank (swimming space is precious for some fish).
The best substrate to get is sand, and I still recommend arragonite over silica, although some are saying silica is not bad. Do a search to learn more.
Tips? I would suggest a good book. It will prove invaluable if it is a good one. I would also do a search on somethign like "Good book".
Best wishes and welcome to the addiction,
sam
cyn
Member
Live rock can be almost any size. The term 'live' comes from the living things in and on the rock. On good live rock there is a multitude of living things, micro and macro alge, bacteria, pods and assorted hitch hikers.
I am not sure of the amount reccomended, but I think is is around 1-2 lbs per gallon. I have about 80lbs total in my 55.
I do not use gravel, My substrate or floor is argonite sand. It is 5 inches deep or what is called a deep sand bed DSB for short. The depth creates an anerobic zone for bacteria to grow.
Best advice I can offer is to read, read, read and then read some more. This is nothing like fresh water! Keep asking questions here too, there are alot of very knowledgeable people here that are more than willing to help. Remember when you post questions to give lots of information and descriptions when possible, it helps us all to give better answers!
HTH,
cyn
I am not sure of the amount reccomended, but I think is is around 1-2 lbs per gallon. I have about 80lbs total in my 55.
I do not use gravel, My substrate or floor is argonite sand. It is 5 inches deep or what is called a deep sand bed DSB for short. The depth creates an anerobic zone for bacteria to grow.
Best advice I can offer is to read, read, read and then read some more. This is nothing like fresh water! Keep asking questions here too, there are alot of very knowledgeable people here that are more than willing to help. Remember when you post questions to give lots of information and descriptions when possible, it helps us all to give better answers!
HTH,
cyn
chevron tang
Member
Welcome to the board. Saltwater tanks are a very wonderful hobby. For starters its better to either use crushed coral(cc) or live sand (ls). I think everyone who has saltwater tanks uses ls.
Live rock is basically the big and the small. What makes it live is the bacteria and critters living in and on it. There is really no limit as to how much rock you can put in your tank. It really depends on personal preference as to how high you want your rock to be stacked and how dense you want to make it.
Live rock is basically the big and the small. What makes it live is the bacteria and critters living in and on it. There is really no limit as to how much rock you can put in your tank. It really depends on personal preference as to how high you want your rock to be stacked and how dense you want to make it.
ren
Member
Start with the base I think that the best is a DSB (deep sand bed). Buy prolly about 60lbs of live sand - ya want about 4" in bottom. Have pumps n all hooked up and throw in about 3-4 grocery shrimp (the eddible ones lol) and let em bake. this will cycle the tank. Do frequent tests and watch for the tell-tale spikes- amm/nitrate/nitrite.
Live Rock (LR) is chunks. various sizes and shapes- some might be fragments others 15lb chunks. I believe its safe to add after amm has spiked and drops back.
Live Rock (LR) is chunks. various sizes and shapes- some might be fragments others 15lb chunks. I believe its safe to add after amm has spiked and drops back.
blj1234
Member
Originally posted by blj1234:
<strong>is live rock like big chunks of rock or a bunch of rubble or? How much would be needed for a 55 gallon tank? What do you use for gravel? I am a freshwater trying to figure out this saltwater thing. Any tips?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I here it is realy hard to keep a saltwater tank going without spending 1000's of$. Is it really that hard?
<strong>is live rock like big chunks of rock or a bunch of rubble or? How much would be needed for a 55 gallon tank? What do you use for gravel? I am a freshwater trying to figure out this saltwater thing. Any tips?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I here it is realy hard to keep a saltwater tank going without spending 1000's of$. Is it really that hard?
kris walker
Active Member
YOu will at least double the expense if you want corals. If you mostly like the fish, a fish-only tank will be much cheaper, and you don't need LR (although it looks nicer with).
sam
sam
cyn
Member
Yes, it is expensive to do it 'right'. As far as hard, I don't think so. You have to be committed to spending the time to maintain your tank. The hard things are in my opinion, Deciding what kind of SW tank you want, this will lead you to what you really need. Mostly being patient! Waiting for the tank to cycle, slowly adding new life, etc. Keep an open mind and never stop asking questions!
cyn
cyn
info_sponge
Member
I'm a freshwater guy myself, but LOVE the setups these guys have. OMG they are amazing. Anywho, I read just about EVERY post on here, as well as went to the library. I read saltwater tanks for dummies. Not too bad. It even touches on reefs, but there is a lot of good info there. some of the sites I have run across are
<a href="http://www.garf.org/algae2/janitor.html" target="_blank">http://www.garf.org/algae2/janitor.html</a>
<a href="http://www.berlinmethod.com" target="_blank">http://www.berlinmethod.com</a>
<a href="http://www.janetsreef.com" target="_blank">http://www.janetsreef.com</a>
<a href="http://www.foad.org/fish/50gallon-setup.html" target="_blank">http://www.foad.org/fish/50gallon-setup.html</a>
these are just ideas and people who have setups with pics. you can learn by looking, reading, and seeing what they have done. I also recommend clicking on anylink that a user here has and seeing what they've done. The more you see, learn, read, the more you know. This hobby is expensive, but from what I've seen, if you do it right... the rewards are well worth it. good luck
<a href="http://www.garf.org/algae2/janitor.html" target="_blank">http://www.garf.org/algae2/janitor.html</a>
<a href="http://www.berlinmethod.com" target="_blank">http://www.berlinmethod.com</a>
<a href="http://www.janetsreef.com" target="_blank">http://www.janetsreef.com</a>
<a href="http://www.foad.org/fish/50gallon-setup.html" target="_blank">http://www.foad.org/fish/50gallon-setup.html</a>
these are just ideas and people who have setups with pics. you can learn by looking, reading, and seeing what they have done. I also recommend clicking on anylink that a user here has and seeing what they've done. The more you see, learn, read, the more you know. This hobby is expensive, but from what I've seen, if you do it right... the rewards are well worth it. good luck