I have just recently purchased a 55g tank and planning to have it saltwater. I also got a wet/dry trickle filter for it. I was wondering what this live rock is and would it be good for the filter. Also what might be needed for this setup. Im not sure what type of fish i want for it but still deciding what type of coral or other rocks would i add and was wondering what that whould affect in picking fish.
New to this
- Thread starter Wallen
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First decide if you want to go FOWLR (Fish only with Live Rock) or Reef. Live Rock refers to rocks that are taken from the ocean and are coverd with all sorts of marine organisms, which is then packaged and then sold (quality varies depending on who is selling it and where it comes from). Anything thats considerd reef safe can be kept with corals and whatnot, stuff that is not reef safe will eat corals. Live Rock is a filter all on its own, same with a Deep Sand Bed (aerobic bacteria colonize oxygen rich surfaces which break down ammonia and nitrites, while anerobic which break down nitrate live in the oxygen poor areas such as deep crevices and other areas or very slow water circulation)
Thanks for your reply
I think that i would most likely be adding coral into the tank.
I have also got another question since i have been looking around the forum. What is this idea of a skimmer and that having a wet/dry system is not needed on SW tanks. I do not want to think that i bought this system and do not need it. I just would like to know what else might be required for a simple setup for my home.
I think that i would most likely be adding coral into the tank.
I have also got another question since i have been looking around the forum. What is this idea of a skimmer and that having a wet/dry system is not needed on SW tanks. I do not want to think that i bought this system and do not need it. I just would like to know what else might be required for a simple setup for my home.
You can use the wet/dry as long as it gets cleaned regularly. However the most basic setup that works consists of Live Rock+DSB(Deep Sand Bed)+Skimmer with powerheads for water circulation. Thats really all you need for a succesful SW aquarium. The live rock and DSB do is a far superior filter to anything mechanical since thats how its done in nature 
All I use is lr, ls, 3 powerheads, 1 heater and a skimmer. Been keeping a 55 going on 2 yrs. I did buy mh lights so am slowly converting to a reef.
Ok, thanks for the help. Could i use the filter with the live rocks and sand or would that be too much, and by using it couldnt that be where i have the skimmer?
And this will probably so how new to this i am. What exactly are powerheads? and also will the lights that came with the tank work for coral?
I hate to be a bother, i just want to try and get it right in the beginning.
Thanks again
And this will probably so how new to this i am. What exactly are powerheads? and also will the lights that came with the tank work for coral?
I hate to be a bother, i just want to try and get it right in the beginning.
Thanks again
Keep asking questions. powerheads are what aerate the water. Maxi-jets are popular. I have a mj 1200 and a mj 900 plus an aquaclear 400. My skimmer also helps aerate the tank. If your talking about the reqular strip lights that came with the tank, no they will not work with corals. There are lots of lighting options out there. i.e. metal halides which is what I have. vho and pc. you need to research what types of corals you want to see what type of lights you need. As far as fish with corals, you need to see if a particular fish is reef safe or not. Good luck and happy researching.
ok one more question. now is live rock the rocks that actually look like rocks in certain pictures or is that the sand material on the bottom. I am confused because i am thinking people use rock for both. I also would like to know what would be depth to put the sand stuff at the bottom.
Thanks again
Thanks again
I'm not real sure what your question is. You can buy live rock that you still need to cycle. Are you talking about crushed coral on the bottom as rock? You don't want crushed coral in a saltwater tank. Too much detrious gets trapped under crushed coral and creates nitrates. Keep the questions coming.
sorry if i wasnt clear on it. I was wondering when people said live rock did they mean the rocks the are mostly 4 in or larger or did they mean live rock was the sand on the bottom of the tank. i was just getting confused because i was also wondering if you could have something like regular rocks at least at first. I dont know if i want the coral in the tank but just rocks to make the tank not seem empty and have something for the fish to swim around. Or is coral the live rock people are talking about?