How Much Live Rock

I'm getting ready to go to the lfs and get some live rock for one of my tanks (70 gal future reef) and I was wondering if it is ok to put live rock from their tanks right into mine? The tank is just cycling with some base rock and a few small peices of live rock with some coraline. And is there a limit as to how much I should add at any one time? All test's(p.h.,ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,phos.,cal., and spec. gra.) are good to excellent and I have 4 small snails in the tank to let me know that things are reasonably ok.

 

Actually with what you have and given the proper amount of time to allow the tank to cycle L/R is not needed just fill the voids with more base rock. But its your tank and money.. I myself would not put live rock into a anyways. I will add some from another tank i have or from a very trusted source to introduce the Coraline's and some life forms . But again as I said its your tank and money at best all you can do is pay your dollars and take your chances.. as to what you might bring in on it..

 

I agree with Tangster. Im my 100 gallon im cycling about 75 lbs of base rock, with about 30 - 40 lbs of live rock. I put that much live rock to help the tank mature faster. The live rock will seed the base rock really quickly, and in no time will become live rock too. Im also putting a product called "cycle" in the tank, which will help the bacteria take a hold faster. Most people say around 1-2 lbs of rock per gallon, but I think you can put as much as you want, as long as you have good flow. Im a poor flow tank to much rock will just make for a nitrate trap. I put enough rock to make the aqua-scape I want and leave it at that. Just keep in mind, live rock and sand is the main bio filter in the tank so make sure you have enough for the bio load you plan to have. Hope this helps,

Michael

 

Yes, it's OK to put LR right into your tank from the LFS tank.

The general rule of thumb is about a pound per gallon.

If you are able ($$) do it in one shot.

Good luck with your tank.

 

some advice needed on live rock

when started out my new 35g 2years ago i only put 5lbs of live rock in it w/ crushed coral substrate then i cycled etc ....

im looking at it now and im thinking of adding more live rock, say to what ssnake says "1 pound per gallon of h2o".

how much do you think i should add at one time to build it up without throwing out my water levels.

can anyone help?

 

It is fine to add live rock to your tank from a LFS. There are some cautions however.

1. Live rock from a LFS might contain critters that you might not want. If you can, I would try to but "cured" rock from them.

2. Once you start putting fish and other animals in the tank make sure not to put any large ammout of rock into the tank at one time. This can cause a spike in ammonia and nitrates that might effect the fish.

Edit: The 1-2 lbs of rock per gal of water is only a rule of thumb. It is really based on the density of rock. From what I learned during my live rock days...when you think a piece of rock is just the right size, it will end up being too big. So many days spent with oversized rocks...hah.

 

thanks bruce , im thinking of going at least 1-2 kg (1/2 lbs) per cycle (1 month or so)

cheers;D

 

When adding live rock to your tank..you will have additional die off(even if you purchase "cured" Rock)! With that comes an increase in ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. I would either add the rock all at once at the beginning of the cycle, or wait til your tank cycles through all the way, then and only then, you can add a few pounds of live rock gradually to insure that you don't have a spike in your tanks water quality.

 

thanks coral reefer for the advice

love the avatar one of a true hero