live rock

[Better Dayz]

hello every1

i would like the help from all of you.

i want to get some live rock. about 10-20lbs every now & then
is this OK?

And do i need to add calcium and iron, and anything else for
the LR to thrive?

i kno with the lights i have now i can only get low light sponge
to thrive. i would like to get some when i learn more about
LR and calcium levels and such

lil' about my tank

90g
80 watts (4-fluorescent tubes)
over flow filter
about 45lbs of tufa rock
3-4 in sand bed (put in about 15lbs of LS during cycle)

fish are,
3 firefish
1 neon-back gramma
1 pyjama Wrasse

all info will be Greatly apr. THANKS

[OrionGirl]

Buying live rock over the course of several weeks or months is fine. That's how I've done it with the better pieces--base rock in bulk, then pretty pieces as I find ones I like. No problems, though you can't rely on it exclusively for filtration until you have 1.5-2 pounds per gallon.

Your salt mix should be adequate for encouraging the live rock and coralline algae (all the purple stuff). There will be a few other critters on the rock, and some of these may not have thier lighting needs met, while others will thrive. Just make sure you don't throw in anything that's going to cause a big spike if it dies off, and have several clean up critters (hermit crabs, snails, ect) to help take care of die off.

Welcome to AC!

[Better Dayz]

thanks for the info and i'm glad to be a new member to AC thanks

i keep my salt level at 1.022 is this good enough or should
i rase it abit to encourage and to help the LR and the coralline algea to thrive?

Thanks again Oriongirl

[OrionGirl]

1.022 is fine for a FO setup, and won't hurt the live rock. If you decide to add corals, upping it a bit won't hurt, but the important thing then is to monitor other aspects--calcium, iodine, alkalinity, ect.

[Better Dayz]

Thank you very much for your time and expert knowledge

[glc]

BD if you drop 20lbs of live rock into your 90 gal you might want to watch for a new cycle. Even cured rock will have some die off so be prepared to take corrective action.

G.L.C

[SpongeBob]

Where in Buffalo? I'm in East Amherst...

[Better Dayz]

Thanks for the info glc,


spongebob

i'm in Depew

were do you fish shop at? i go to 3 different ones
saltwater paradise, niagria aquarium,and shoot don't kno the
name but its on robinson rd.

[OrionGirl]

The Fish Place is over on Robinson. They have some great inverts!

Been there, as well as Saltwater Paradise--they had some lovely encrusting corals last time I was in.

;)

[SpongeBob]

I go to SWP & TFP. Never been to NA. Went to The Reef Shop in Rochester this week -- awesome!

OrionGirl, You visit Buffalo often? Let me know next time you're in town! I'll buy you a beverage of your choice for all of the help you've provided me!