no live rock

I've been setting up our new 2 aquarium and external 28"x16"x9"tall refugium (display worthy), and my boss is the one providing money to improve our setup. I work in an 'animal museum' at Hope College in the Science Center and have taken interest in the marine aquariums and how to better them.

All told, I should have over 100 gal of water. I'm going to need algae, shrimp, more fish, etc. HOWEVER, there is a problem. In these forums, I have heard many times that live rock is a must-have. 1-2lbs/gal, if possible. But she says there is no way we can get that much. It's expensive, hard to ship, and takes up space.

Assume there is no way to convince her otherwise, and assume the budget can't handle getting that much live rock, too. What kind of filters and water conditioners should I get so I can keep the system healthy?

Thanks guys

 

LR is a necessity in reef tanks. Where else are you going to put your corals
???

However, it's not a necessity for fish only tanks. Number 1....fish can handle more nitrates than most invertebrates. Number 2...Bioballs, biowheels, etc. can help you with the growing space for Ammonium and Nitrite processing. Bigger water changes can solve the nitrate problem.

The main advantage of LR (other than looks) is that it can also process nitrates while few man-made products can.

Basically, you don't have to have it. However, if you have some, you can do less water changes and have a slightly higher bioload.

 

Bioballs? Biowheels? I guess I'll go Google these, but what are your opinions for how many/much of them I need? Thanks for your response!

 

If you can swing it, buy 0.5lbs of live rock/g and then buy dead decorative rock which in about a years time will become live rock. Check out your local fish stores and online sources. You can also make your own rock with concrete and crushed shells. Talk to Matt Rogers, he has made his own live rock. Another option is to buy live rock rubble, usually $2-3/lb and use this as base rock or for in sump use.

 

There is a large debate now over the amount of live rock needed for a reef tank. It used to be you needed about 1-2 pounds per gallon so we all have the rock piled high up the back glass of our tanks like a wall!!!!!!!right?
Well, it seems that that whole process of setting up live rock is a detriment to our tanks. The new thing to do is have a 4-5 inch deep sand bed and less rock to cut down on the dead spots between the rock work where detritus etc. will develop. By creating caves and keeping the rock work about 3inches away from the back glass of our tanks and gaps in our rock display, we are eliminating the areas where the water movement is minimal at best!
Go with less rock and more sand...

 

There are ways to do it without adding as much "live rock". You could probably do it with a smaller amount of really good rock and then put base rock in to be seeded by the actual live rock. Depending where you are it can be expensive or not. It is best to have as it adds more than biological filtration, it adds esthetic value, places for your inverts and fish to hide and provides a multitude of life to your set up. Eactly where are you located and exactly how large is your display tank....volume wise.

 

I am in Holland, Michigan, and we have a total of about 100gal of water, in 2 tanks. Adding a refugium which will connect all 3 for probably a volume of up to 120gal.

 

There is no way around a marine tank with zero live rock. It's the backbone of your system along with the designated filter. You need it and a saltwater aquarium is nothing without it. Not to mention fish need hiding places and rock to simulate a natural enviornment, you will be stressing your fish with zero rock in the tank. ;D

 

You could get away with doing the simple concrete rock and just curring it first for about 2 weeks in saltwater. Then adding in live sand. This should not cost you more than $40.00 in live sand and 10 dollars in concrete.

If anything I would donate some live rock from my tank to help out a school experiment. You could also ask a local shop to donate some to the school. There are many ways around having to pay the outrageous prices for live rock that LFS charge the public. My choice is concrete, its cheap, you can shape it any way you want and it is so cool to see the life grow on it and say i created my own artificial reef. NO BOAT SINKING HERE!

All i ask is if you come up with some new type of skimmer, filter or a new contraption to make Saltwater tanks easier to maintain to name it after myself. J/K!

 

Have you checked the Michigan Reefers sale page, there is always someone selling rock on there......look at the sale forums on all the sites, you can usually pick up pieces here and there relatively cheap. I agree that the rock is the backbone of a marine tank......take the time to find the rock....it will pay dividends later.