Live Rock

[fallout]

Setting up my first Reef tank. Just purchased a 65gal tank with overflow and a sump. Got it all setup last night well except for the pump. Having a hard time finding a nozle connector for my pump. Anyway I plan to add water later this week. I also plan to purchase some live rock for a local guy this week in. My question is how much rock do I need? He is selling it for $1.05 a pound. Much cheaper than the lfs base rock. Also are there any dangers in buying second hand rock from a vendor you know nothing about?

 

[noah's nemo]

Wow!Live rock for $1.05 lb.Be sure it is live rock,meaning it should be in water ,have lots of growth on it ,such as algae, green ,hair ,coralline, and maybe some zoas and maybe apastia.I would be cautious however.Live rock at my lfs is 8.50 lb,and base rock(clean, dry and whitish in color) is 1.50.I would get a few lbs of live(fully cured from lfs) and add base(this is how i did it,and still adding more)You can always add fully cured rock right in,as time goes on you'll have what you need.Base rock can go right in also.After you rinse it off ,of course.

 

[chuckcac]

Welcome to the Hobby!
you could always make your own base rock...
its inexpensive and fun but time consuming
then buy a couple of pounds of the expensive 'good stuff' to seed the whole tank...

 

[fallout]

Originally Posted by Noah's Nemo
http:///forum/post/2514509
Wow!Live rock for $1.05 lb.Be sure it is live rock,meaning it should be in water ,have lots of growth on it ,such as algae, green ,hair ,coralline, and maybe some zoas and maybe apastia.I would be cautious however.Live rock at my lfs is 8.50 lb,and base rock(clean, dry and whitish in color) is 1.50.I would get a few lbs of live(fully cured from lfs) and add base(this is how i did it,and still adding more)You can always add fully cured rock right in,as time goes on you'll have what you need.Base rock can go right in also.After you rinse it off ,of course.

Its actually $1.50/lb which is still damn cheap and the guy said its cured and still in saltwater. How much lr would one need for a 65 gal tank. I was planning on buy very little lr and using base rock, since lr is so expensive, but at 1.50 I might as well buy as much as I need. He has 100lbs of Fiji, marshall island, florida, and a few tonga plates for sale.

 

[jpc763]

You could put all 100 lbs in that tank and still have room. I have 75lbs in my 55g tank and could put another 20 in easy. $1.50 is a great deal even if you have to cure it.

 

[noah's nemo]

Well,65 gallon tank....Hmm....Buy it all!!

Seriously,some ppl on here say at least a pound per gallon,maybe 1.5 lbs per....I myself would only put about 50 or 60lbs.I like the open look alittle more.Even though it serves great bio filtration,i think 65lbs is plenty JMO

 

[krautburner]

if you like the "open" look of having less rock
you could always put some in your sump (that's what i'm doing with some of the rubble I've got)