How much LR/sand (dsb) for 55 gal tall

would 50lbs of dry pukani rock be sufficient to start my 55 gal tall w/ 20 gal sump? I know I can always add more rock later. I do have some LR rock right now curing (i think) that came from an established reef w/ corraline on it already, which I will be using to seed my tank.

How many lbs of sand is recommended for a DSB?

Is pukani better than fiji?

Dimensions of 55 gal: 36"L x 24"H x 16"W

 

Depends really, alot of people are going to say different. But first are you going to be keeping fish only or fish and reef, or reef only? Also is your sump going to have any kind of filter in it? I really don't know to much about pukani rock but and coarse rock is fine to use, in the search i did looks like the pukani is from figi as well. The rock you pick all depends on how you want your tank to look. They have different kinds for different reason in a tank as well. For stacking, making shelves, and other things. This is my opinion and im not an expert but have studied salt water and tinkered with it for over 5years now.

 

For the sand you will want @100lbs for @3inch layer, If you want more you add more.

Here,
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/SandBed.php

 

I will be keeping a reef and fish.

55 gallon tall 1/2" glass euro-braced with black back and acrylic overflow.16x24x36

150 watt metal halide with twin 96 watt pc's with 8 built in moonlights and fan

Quiet one 1200 with return plumbing and scwd water distribution system and check valve

Asm baby g skimmer inside baffled 20 gal sump (& possible refuge)

Up to 6 maxijet 1200 powerheads (2 with rotating heads for water oscillation)


I want it to "look" somewhat "natural" with caves and openings for my livestock to swim/crawl thre

 

Anything under 4" is not a true deep sand bed.

3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more - Calculators

 

So I used the sand bed calculator suggested by phillip and it suggests aa minimum of 120 lbs for a 4" dsb.....gues that answers that question.

 

thanks amcarrig for the calculator as well

 

Just keep in mind that you will not be able to keep burrowing animals with a deep sand bed. I am dead set against using them for various reasons but some people are avid defenders of the deep sand bed. Do your research regarding deep sand beds before you dump a ton of sand into your fishtank. You may not want to do everything that's necessary to keep a deep sand bed alive and healthy.

 

interesting......I assumed a dsb was the "best" way to go.....looks like I have some reading to do.

 

Yeah boy howdy

The debates over this topic get very heated, as I'm sure you'll find out once you start researching.