Basic Rock Question

Does anyone think it would be all right if I just used 30 pounds of live rock for a 40 gallon aquarium? That is, if I kept the fish and other critters to a minimum? Also, (as you can see Im new) is it possible to add other, "dead rock" that the live rock may spread to thus making my own live rock? It seems that I have heard this is possible. If it is possible, what type of "dead rock" should i add? Any suggestions would be great.

One last thing, is there any functional difference between live sand and live rock? That is, are the same microbes and algae found on both live rock and live sand?

 

I prefer to have more live sand than live rock! I have roughly 5 inches of live sand in my tank to help with the oxygen transfer! Greater surface area as well and greater ability to break down detritus etc. due to beneficial bacteria. Also Aragonite will aid in the disolving of beneficial calcium and carbonate into your water in a time release fashion.
Live rock is pleasing to the eye as well as offers different living organisms to accompany the organisms and bacteria living in the benthic area of your tank.
One thing to be careful of with setting up the live rock in your tank is not to create a wall stretching from one side of your tank to the other along the back of it. This cuts down on the water flow between the rock work as well as water flow to the substrate. A decreased waterflow will inhibit the beneficial oxygen and co2 transfer( similar to photosynthesis), detritus removal and amount of time suspended in the palegic region of your tank(water column) for your skimmer to remove it. The last thing a decreased water flow incurs is the limited amount of food etc. to get to all the areas of your tank-between the rocks and corals. Live rock also creates many dead spots in your tank by limiting the flow by your powerheads possibly causing an microalgae buildup.
Their are ways to avoid these situations by creating holes, caverns and caves periodically. Having open spaces(islands) in your rock work will also help to increase water flow throughout your tank!
As for the live rock and the creating live rock from "dead rock", this can be achieved by add the dead rock to your tank. Through time, living organisms will adhere, bore, grow and spread on the dead rock!!!!!Hope this helps somewhat!

 

I did that. I have about 40lbs of LR and 20lbs tufa rock. I have had my tank set up for 5 mnths and my tufa rock has been seeded with coraline, baby feather dusters, and critters. You can buy base rock and it's more readily available in the us then it is up here. don't use lava rock it leaches unwanted minerals into the water. I like my tufa rock because it has little holes in it and my crabs hang out in them. My jawfish lives in the hole of a tufa and it's so cool when it come out. If you use some LR and another base rock I'd add it at the same time during cycling.

I agree with coral reefer. I built my rock with opening in between eachother, it's not touching the back glass (i have a powerhead directed to the back), and it doesn't touch the sides. lots of open flow area and swimming area for my fishy friends.

What ever you do, don't buy the cheaper equipment. buy it once and buy the good stuff. I am already planning on adding to my lighting (diy fluorescent) and I plan on replacing my powerheads with a tunze.

good luck, do lots of research, ask as many questions as you want or need and take it slow.

 

Sorry for all the stupid questions but what is the, "benthic area of your tank."

 

Yea I would say 30lbs in a 40G tank would be fine.
The use of "DEAD" rock is very common but you are still using the same type of rock it has just been dried. Local Fish stores (LFS) sell it as BASE Rock.

You could get away with 20lbs of LR and 10lbs of base. If you wanted.

this is a highly debated topic with people choosing to go with no sand in there tanks all the way to 5 or 6 inches of sand in the tank. I do not think your thread is the place to st rat it all over again.
But your question is a good one. the sand bed tends to have more of the second stage Bactria that convert Nitrite to nitrate in an anaerobic state. but does also have Ammonia to Nitrite Bactria

 

good question

i have right now more live rock sand then live rock since tecnically you cant pick it from here (Hawaii) but ive also added some "dead" rock with the live rock that I "acquired" and its been doing fine. I added this huge 15lber today as you can see it here and it should do fine. my tank is about 3 weeks old and already some polyps are starting to grow. cool huh

 

Since you are as you say new I have to ask what do you expect from the use of L/R ? Heck sand for that matter also. Its not needed and in my opinion a waste of time and money and instills a false sense of security of that my system is a good and healthy one and all ready . I see no reason for its use other the to separate you from your money with a vendor , A wet rock one at that At several dollars a pound for wet Rocks I went L/R and L/Sand once as a lets give it a shot to see what happens type deal . I had so many unwanted animals and alga's the problems where such I had to tear it down . Thats why I set up a just a small one of 40 gals with it. I still say all dead base rock and sand and times is the best way to go in the long run. All the wanted pods and worms come in as larva on corals and water .. I have one right now set up a yr ago this weekend and although its a very small tank by my standards its rock solid and I'd compare it to anyones here or anywhere for it s Coraline growth and bio diversity and all around health for a sps/clam tank. The larger one we just set up was done and is being brought along just as that one was. All you need a shot like a cup or so of sand from a trusted aquarium if you want to rush it..

 

That's not a stupid question.....I bet allot of people don't know what that means (myself included)!

Benthic
Adjective

1. Of or relating to or happening on the bottom under a body of water.


I hate when I have to look things up