How much rock?

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by SteelerMike, Mar 30, 2012.

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  1. SteelerMike

    SteelerMike Feather Duster

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    I am getting ready to start up my 125 and I know the rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 lbs of rock per gallon. I recently picked up 60 lbs of marco fiji rock at a local reefers auction so i put it in my tank just to see how much space it takes up and it really filled it quite a bit! The large rock on the left is a large piece of Texas Holy rock my dad had in this tank 15 years ago and there is an old coral skeleton in there too but it seems like I don't need much more. What do you guys think? Also, is it OK to use the old coral skeleton? Used to be in a saltwater tank many years ago when pieces like that were quite expensive. Sorry for crappy cell phone pick.

    dry rock.jpg
     
    SteelerMike, Mar 30, 2012
    SteelerMike, Mar 30, 2012
    #1

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  2. bwalker9801

    bwalker9801 Zoanthid

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    Looks fine , you can always throw some in the sump if you want more.
    Old coral is also fine, that's all Ca reactor media is.
     
    bwalker9801, Mar 30, 2012
    bwalker9801, Mar 30, 2012
    #2
  3. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    do urself a favor and remove that texas holey rock....its going to be nothing but trouble for you in the future...please learn from my mistake.
     
    Kevin3884, Mar 30, 2012
    Kevin3884, Mar 30, 2012
    #3
  4. SteelerMike

    SteelerMike Feather Duster

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    What do you mean? What was the issue with the Texas holy rock?
     
    SteelerMike, Mar 31, 2012
    SteelerMike, Mar 31, 2012
    #4
  5. vawdka

    vawdka Coral Banded Shrimp

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    From my understanding Texas Holey rock isn't as porous as your typical reef rock thus doesn't contribute as much to your biological filter and weighs more than typical reef rock. At least that is what I was told by a few people who have seen it used it the past. People use it, some love it, some don't. Perhaps someone else can give a good reason one way or the other. Other than that, the weight is just a guideline it is more what you want to scape and put in the tank really. I have a 10g tank and probably only have 8 lbs of rock in it, but I can guarantee my rock is some of the most porous rock you have ever seen and it makes up for the weight difference. I got my base rock at a sponsor site, reefcleaners.org. Seems you have plenty of rock though
     
    vawdka, Mar 31, 2012
    vawdka, Mar 31, 2012
    #5
  6. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    The weight guideline you are going by is for live rock. Base rock weighs about a third of what live rock weighs.
     
    PackLeader, Mar 31, 2012
    PackLeader, Mar 31, 2012
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  7. SteelerMike

    SteelerMike Feather Duster

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    Ahhh that makes sense. So maybe I am done with the dry rock and will add a few pieces of live to get the tank going. Thanks!
     
    SteelerMike, Mar 31, 2012
    SteelerMike, Mar 31, 2012
    #7
  8. Kevin3884

    Kevin3884 Tassled File Fish

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    Texas holy rock is what fed my GHA problem...it almost made me quit the hobby....please just trust me on this one..
     
    Kevin3884, Mar 31, 2012
    Kevin3884, Mar 31, 2012
    #8
  9. SteelerMike

    SteelerMike Feather Duster

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    GHA? ..sorry I'm new to this. can you explain what that is?:confused1:confused1:-/
     
    SteelerMike, Apr 1, 2012
    SteelerMike, Apr 1, 2012
    #9
  10. PAiiN

    PAiiN Plankton

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    GHA = Green Hair Algae. Also, I have about 30 lbs of live rock in my 40 breeder and it seems to be doing fine. I have 5 fish and about 20-30 inverts.
     
    PAiiN, Apr 1, 2012
    PAiiN, Apr 1, 2012
    #10
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