New to the game and have a few questions

[bnutz24]

Hello all I am new to the game of saltwater tanks I just got up a 130g tank with a wet dry sump looking at the live rock as my next move but the question is this how the heck are you dropping 60 - 100 of lr at the current prices I mean $200 dollars for 50-66 lbs wow is it possible to add small amounts at a time I mean I have been reading and at 1-2 lbs per gallon I am looking at close to $300-$400 in lr can I add 50-60 lbs at a time while haveing a few starter fish to look at? is there a good place that will do packages??? right now my tanks has been going for 2 weeks empty trying to figure out the next step any advice is welcomed.
thanks all

 

[reefforbrains]

Yes live rock is spendy. Small amounts at a time is a wonderful way to do it.
Many take the financial punch in the face and just buy it all at once, but if you look in the classified section you might luck out with someone who lives close to you that is tearing down a tank.
Sells pretty cheap here in the classifieds. Especially if you buy in bulk from someone breaking down.

 

[sflasurfer]

Welcome to the addiction. Get ready it is a very espensive hobby at the startup. Yes you can add some l/r at a time. The more the better of course because it is a natural filter. I have my 55gal set up for over a year now. The biggest expense was the initial. However it is very rewarding in the long run. And congrats on becoming one of us. You tonow are addicted..........lol
Some l/r is better then none. I did mine about 25lbs per week, but I also used some base rock towards the end. Eventualy it has slowly started to become "live" but it does take a lot of time. But my wallet did prefer it. Now I have about 60lb's of L/R and 40lbs of base.

 

[leftyblite]

Welcome to the boards and a very addictive hobby.

I put about 60lbs of base rock and then about 80 lbs of live rock in my 150G. The LFS that helped me set it up gave me a discount on the rock because I bought so much at once. It was a big expense but I knew it before I started the tank. Good thing my wife was understanding

Now it is all worth it as the base rock has finally come alive. Are you going to use live sand?

 

[spanko]

You can add you live rock over time but be aware that each time you do depending on the cure of the rock you will have a small to large spike in ammonia again. A good way to do this is by buying some base rock maybe 50 to 75% of the total needed. Put all the rock in at once and let it cycle. Your base rock will become live in a few weeks. Remember by live we are talking about the nitrifying bacteria, not the feather worms and other hitch hikers that come on live rock.

 

[darknes]

Look in the classifieds, and on craigslist. Many times you can get a great deal from someone who is getting out of the hobby - usually for a dollar or two a pound.

 

[briand7878]

how much does everyone pay for live rock. i just bought 30lbs for 105. i think it was 3.25 per lb. i have about 50 lbs in my 75 gallon and it looks full.

 

[leftyblite]

Live sand also helped my base rock come alive.

 

[bnutz24]

At th emoment I am using crushed coral as a bed due to financial obligations. but I keep reading and I plan on moving to live sand in the future. thanks for the welcome all and I knew it was expensive when I got in

but I was hooked by many factors the biggest was I have wanted SW tank since I was 12 (33 now) and I have finally got the opportunity to hop in. I think I will be ok as long as I go slow both hobby and wallet wise

 

[autofreak44]

Originally Posted by BRIAND7878
how much does everyone pay for live rock. i just bought 30lbs for 105. i think it was 3.25 per lb. i have about 50 lbs in my 75 gallon and it looks full.
thats a good deal. some places around here charge 6$ a pound

 

[briand7878]

I Got Mine On Line With Lots Of Life On It.