New To Saltwater Live Rock Questions

[Todd2212]

Hi

I just got a 25g tank and would like to make it a fish only saltwater tank.

I have a couple questions concerning Live Rock.

First my LFS sells what they claim is the best (cost $7.99 a pound) and they said it is fully cured. I can’t remember what they called it but it wasn't Fiji or Tonga, I think it started with a "B" maybe Bermuda or something. But I see stuff for sale on the Internet that looks much nicer (all the LFS's live rock was brown with no growth on it that I could see) and is much cheaper. So my question is what do you guys think about buying live rock on-line? Is it any good? Or should I just shell out the money for the rock at the LFS?

Second The LFS says could just buy a pound or two of live rock to start the tank then once its cycled add fish and gradually add more live rock to the tank. Is this true? Most of what I read says to add all the live rock and sand at the start.

And finally I would like to ask all of you for some recommendations for stocking my tank. I know I don't have too many options with such a small tank. The LFS had some really neat fish like a Clown trigger, Colorful Tangs, there was one that had two words the first started with an "H" and the last word was Tusk and a really cool fish that had Stripes different bright blues. They were all fairly expensive ($50 - $120) but I would like your opinion.

Thanks

 

[SkiFletch]

To answer your questions about LR, yes, online sources are usually very good. If you're looking at brown lame rock, I can only believe you're from the US as most guys in the UK seem to get better quality LR. As such, I'd go with an online supplier for sure. You're gonna want 25-40lbs of it. The other good alternative, depending on where you live is to buy from local reefers. If you are from the states, lemme know where from and I might be able to put you in touch with a local club near you where memebers sometimes sell LR for as little as $3/lb... No promises, but I'll see what I can do . For more info on LR and alternatives for the cost-conscious, read this other thread where I was telling another member the same thing. Saves me from typing it again

Put it all in at once though if I were you. While you CAN put pieces in as you go, you risk a mini nitrogen cycle, which isnt good for livstock.

As for stocking, you're in the nano realm (30gal and less) which puts some limits on your stocking. Harlequin Tusk Wrasses are way out of the question (think 100+ gallon tanks), as are Tangs and Trigger fishes. Harlequin's and Tangs are open water swimmers and will get from 6-8" long. They usually require a 5-foot or more long tank. Triggers also have the nasty habit of eating any fish smaller than them . I'd investigate the world of nano fish. You're lookin at clowns, gobies, fairy wrasses (I love those myself), basslets, MAYBE a dwarf angel if the tank is decently long. You could also consider a dwarf lionfish, but again, that'll probably be a species only tank over time as lions like snacks Check out some online suppliers for ideas, and dont forget, there are tons of crabs, shrimp, snails, and other inverts that are reef safe and can add to the diversity in your tank.

 

[Todd2212]

Thanks for the advice. I am from the states more specifically northeast Pennsylvania.

It would be great if some could supply me some good live rock. I'll probably buy it on-line cause the stuff at the LFS looks boring.

As for the shrimps, crabs, ect... does the same rule of 1 inch per gallon apply like when stocking fish?

Thanks again

 

[newfishaddict]

To answer your questions about LR, yes, online sources are usually very good. If you're looking at brown lame rock, I can only believe you're from the US as most guys in the UK seem to get better quality LR. As such, I'd go with an online supplier for sure. You're gonna want 25-40lbs of it. The other good alternative, depending on where you live is to buy from local reefers. If you are from the states, lemme know where from and I might be able to put you in touch with a local club near you where memebers sometimes sell LR for as little as $3/lb... No promises, but I'll see what I can do . For more info on LR and alternatives for the cost-conscious, read this other thread where I was telling another member the same thing. Saves me from typing it again

Put it all in at once though if I were you. While you CAN put pieces in as you go, you risk a mini nitrogen cycle, which isnt good for livstock.

As for stocking, you're in the nano realm (30gal and less) which puts some limits on your stocking. Harlequin Tusk Wrasses are way out of the question (think 100+ gallon tanks), as are Tangs and Trigger fishes. Harlequin's and Tangs are open water swimmers and will get from 6-8" long. They usually require a 5-foot or more long tank. Triggers also have the nasty habit of eating any fish smaller than them . I'd investigate the world of nano fish. You're lookin at clowns, gobies, fairy wrasses (I love those myself), basslets, MAYBE a dwarf angel if the tank is decently long. You could also consider a dwarf lionfish, but again, that'll probably be a species only tank over time as lions like snacks Check out some online suppliers for ideas, and dont forget, there are tons of crabs, shrimp, snails, and other inverts that are reef safe and can add to the diversity in your tank.

I am considering a saltwater tank.

I will do a nano 21g or a 55g or75g tank.

Im tempted to very slowly and CAREFULLY build a 75g but the 12.99 a lbs for "good" live rock at my LFS is going to slow me down a bit... They have "bad" rock for 8.99/lbs...

I thought about getting 10lbs and then getting one fish after the tank is stable. Then VERY slowing building the tank over a period of 2-3 yrs....Anyone feel this is a bad idea?

 

[SkiFletch]

Ok, first off, as for inverts, at least small ones, the rule of thumb is one invert per gallon. Keep things varied though. Use a little common sense and put some diversity of different inverts in there and dont do somethin crazy like stock 50 turbo snails. But since they are actually nutrient recyclers they pose a minimal bio load, and most inverts can be housed in larger total numbers than fish.

Newfishaddict: I'd buy the 75gal and try and afford a 40lb box of LR from an online supplier to start. Then slowly build up over time. Starting with 10lbs in a big tank like that isn't the best of ideas. Heck, I started my 45g tank with 25lbs of LR and about 50lbs of BR. Lots of algae problems early on, but its worked so far.

And edit, Todd, YGPM