LIVE ROCK

[Eelzor]

Can someone answer these questions for me on live rock -

1. I have heard it is 1 Pound per gallon. THATS A LOT! Is it Nessesary?

What are the good points about it?

Can Someone clarify this into depth for me?

"Tanx" 8)

 

[EddieW]

Eelzor,

You need 1 pound per gallon (or more) if you are going for a naturally filtered tank using the Berlin method for example. In this type of tank all of the biological filtration is carried out in the live rock with ammonia and nitrite being processed in aerobic areas of the rock and nitrate being processed deeper in the anoxic/anaerobic areas of the rock. With the correct amount of rock you don't need to have any supplement biological filtration using external (or internal) filters. Some people (particularly on the smaller nanos) can even get away without protien skimmers on this type of tank using weekly water changes instead.

If you are adding live rock for decoration, critters or inverts in addition to an existing tank with good biological filtration then you don't necessarily need as much as 1 pound per gallon.

In my nano-reef I have about 25 pounds of rock to about 20 gallons.

HTH, Eddie

 

[Eelzor]

So, basically all live rock really does is help clean the tank a little? There are different methods of maintaining a saltwater tank then? The Berlin method way, or no live rock way? Can you explain the non-lie rock way a little (just curious-quite new to the saltwater thing)

 

[ostrow]

So, basically all live rock really does is help clean the tank a little?

Understatement of the year! Gives critters homes. Gives places to attach corals (you will, you will). Gives tank some decoration that is natural, colorful, alive. Keeps water crystal clean if you go the 1lb/G. Helps make tank virtually maintenance free (empty skimmer cup, add topoff water and kalk, water change every few months).

Can't imagine my tank without it.

 

[Eelzor]

oic! - So what if I took just some live rock? Or should I take a lot or none - but never a little (because it is more useless - right?) Because I might just take a little - will that make a difference in cleaning or having little rock is not worth it? Only by the heaps you get "results", if you know what I mean.

 

[Opcn]

the more the better (up to about 1.75 lb per gallon) and a litttle is better than none It give some of your fish a place to live and a place to put a few corals. It is a must if you are going to have a reef tank (It IS the reef) or invert tank and It will help imensely if you want a fish only tank. if you are making a reef tank you can skimp out and do half base rock (man made un colonized) and half live rock (crawlin with critters and red calcified alege is best).

Why the aversion if its $$ then you are trying the wrong hobby

check out the DIY section

Opcn

 

[Eelzor]

Why the aversion if its $$ then you are trying the wrong hobby

Quite a good point! I suppose just a bit more saving do be done.

 

[ostrow]

I disagree. It is because of the high cost that I look to save where I can!

Base rock is not necessarily man-made. I have a lot of former live rock that has been out of water for a long time. That goes white/gray. Add it as base. Use as much of that sort that you can find, then add a few pieces of really nice colorful rock. The corraline will spread and you'll be happy.

 

[ste2k3]

I agree with ostrow. I am a student (only 17) and try and save as much as possable. I make most pieces of equipment my self to cut the cost and I used 20kg of reef bones(base rock) in my tank and if you look at it now, it is covered in coraline algae but also has a good population of worms shrimps and copepods etc etc.

 

[Eelzor]

I am a student (only 17)

17?! I thought you where older - I feel so superior now! :smb: Kneel down and give me 20! Kiddin' I'm 17 too and I suppose anythings possible if you try. But ste2k3, I see your nice marine tank and I wonder now that I know your age - how did you get to achieve so much? I mean the good looking tank and all.

 

[ste2k3]

thanx for the comments. I work at the lfs so I get a lot of stuff cheap or given to me. at the shop I work at, we test a lot of new products and then get rid . I have also got a lot of equipment second hand like the skimmer and halide, what i can make myself i.e. calcium reactor- I do.

 

[Adrinal]

work there hey? great..
what the heck is lfs?

 

[Eelzor]

work there hey? great..
what the heck is lfs?

lfs, stands for Local Fish Shop.

I prefer this post being put away as my questions are answered here.