How Much Live Rock?

rich_one

rich_one

AC Members
Nov 7, 2008
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Maryland
Well... I am close to taking the plunge, finally, and have been doing some reading. I did google this and all, but thought I'd ask folks here as well... I just believe too much info is better than too little, ya know? Anyway, I know this is an often asked question. I did do a search on "live rock" in the forums, but the results were many, I clicked in a few, but thought it a little less daunting to just ask... so I hope I do not annoy anyone with such on oft-asked question, but that said... about how much live rock is optimum for a standard 4 ft long 55 gallon tank? I am reading about 1.5 pounds per gallon is good, making my goal about 82 or 83 pounds... correct? I just would prefer to get all of it up front, before cycling the tank, so it is all in there when I cycle it.

Also, currently, the tank is a mature, freshwater tank. Do I need to clean or disinfect it somehow before converting it to salt, or can I just go ahead, empty it, rinse it out completely and make sure it is clean, and go ahead and get started? Thanks!

-Rich
 
Good idea to have it all at once. Basically the amount of LR is dependent on how much livestock (fish in particular) you want and the look you are going for. 55's are great tanks but due to their shallow depth they are difficult to aquascape. You may want to get at least a few smaller pieces so you can be a little more creative. I have about 30 lbs in my 40 breeder and plan on 4 fish. I don't exepect any issues but I also am adding my fish one at a time and testing my water as I add them to make sure my tank can support them. If you are using a sump, you can also put LR there to save room in your display.

I have seen lots of tanks with less than a lb/gallon that are thriving but they are not overstocked either. My LFS has some very creative/minimalistic scapes in their DTs with less LR and the fish are doing well. They do have some mega skimmers on those tanks though.

I also just got done reading where someone had so much rock in their display, they eneded up with a massive HA outbreak because detritus was always trapped in the LR. He had plenty of flow from PHs and his return pump but because the rock was stacked so tightly, the flow just went around his rockwork instead of going through it to suspend the detritus. HTH's
 
greech said:
Good idea to have it all at once. Basically the amount of LR is dependent on how much livestock (fish in particular) you want and the look you are going for. 55's are great tanks but due to their shallow depth they are difficult to aquascape. You may want to get at least a few smaller pieces so you can be a little more creative. I have about 30 lbs in my 40 breeder and plan on 4 fish. I don't exepect any issues but I also am adding my fish one at a time and testing my water as I add them to make sure my tank can support them. If you are using a sump, you can also put LR there to save room in your display.

I have seen lots of tanks with less than a lb/gallon that are thriving but they are not overstocked either. My LFS has some very creative/minimalistic scapes in their DTs with less LR and the fish are doing well. They do have some mega skimmers on those tanks though.

I also just got done reading where someone had so much rock in their display, they eneded up with a massive HA outbreak because detritus was always trapped in the LR. He had plenty of flow from PHs and his return pump but because the rock was stacked so tightly, the flow just went around his rockwork instead of going through it to suspend the detritus. HTH's
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hmmm.... interesting stuff. I have no idea what look I am going for yet, to be honest... frankly, my plan was just to stack the live rock and see what happens. as far as fish, I was just going for the good starter community tank-style thing. I am still researching fish, so I can get a feel of which way to go there. I am still several weeks out from actually getting the rock, but thought I should ask the question, so I can get an idea of my investment, and begin putting the cash away for it.

I really appreciate your input... I suppose I need to study some scapes and see what people are doing, and see if I can get a feel for the look I want next... thanks!

-Rich
 
IMHO, my general approach is 1.5 Lb. per gal for a reef, but balance that with the look you want and the filtration system you're using. less rock, I'd suggest up-sizing your filters to handle more bio-load. i had about 400 Lb. in my 225 and it was quite stable, but a lot. Also, I completely agree with Greech on water flow behind and through the rocks; I had to put two power heads at the sides behind a couple larger pieces of rock blowing behind the rocks to keep things moving for sure. And yes, I suggest get it all at once if you can, so you can set up the landscape the way you like. Also, get a tube of 2-part glue to spot-stick some of the more "rickety" pieces together so you don't have an avalanche due to an inhabitant picking on them. It's easier now during construction than once the tank is fully inhabited.
 
I agree, get all of your rock at once! The nitrification process of bacteria will affect your fish if you add later........

I have a 46g tank and got 35 lbs of live rock, I allowed it to cycle then added hermits and snails first before fish.

good luck!

v
 
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