Live Rock

[zbrook1]

Can anyone help me?Ive been doing salt water for a few years,stopped and just restarted.I have a 55 gal. that I just set up(1 week ago).My equipment incluces a Magnum 350,a H.O.T Magnum 250 which I plan to use a bio-wheel with.and a Lifegard FB 300 powered by a 550 power head.I have 4 damsels in there now.My previous tanks I just used dead coral and dead rock. I would like to add live rock.Could I do it with just the equipment I have now or would I need other things? How much would I also need to look good in a 55 Gal.Can I mix my dead rock with live? Is water quality more exacting with live rock than just a fish tank? Thank you!

 

[timo]

As I understand it (from dilligently reading these posts), LR can be a quality addition to ANY system. Also, from these fine folks, 1-1.5 pounds per gallon is great, although any amount will be benificial. Also, yes, dead rock can be used. If it's the right type (I don't understand this, but...) it can, in time, become LR itself. Water quality will become better with LR.
You obviously understand the cycling process....
HTH
-Tim
All I know I learned here!

 

[wet bar]

LR will help your tank a lot. It acts as a natual filter, and is a vital part of any SW tank.
As for how much LR to add...that depends on how much $$$ you want to spend and what you want your aquascaping to look like. Wherever you decide to buy your LR from should have plenty of shapes and sizes to build a great design for your tank.

 

[dsa_mom]

Just to clarify the part about the dead becoming alive......
(there's a movie in that statement!!)
Just think of it like head lice--if you rub your head up against someone with head lice, you, too, will soon have head lice.
So, too, is it with live and dead rock. If you place plain rock next to live rock, the bacteria, critters, coralline, etc, which is in place on the live rock will spread to the plain rock--voila! live rock.
Good water circulation and adequate Ca levels (for coralline growth and spread) help.
So quit scratching your head--now you know.