[joecon]

Pardon my ignorance. I have 75 gal tank. I know it is recommended to have 1.5 to 2 lbs. of LR per gallon. I only can afford 30 lbs. My question is, is this OK, although not ideal, or is it just like not having any, not providing any benefit and don't bother adding just the 30 lbs. I can afford and just save my money?

Thanks

[Samper]

I think having 30lbs is way better than not having any...you would be better off with more and can always add it later but not too much at once or you could cause another cycle.

[Ninong]

Some types of live rock are lighter than others, so the pounds-per-gallon rule doesn't work all that well. One hundred pounds of aquacultured Gulf of Mexico live rock will take up a lot less space than 100 lbs of live rock from the South Pacific.

Thirty pounds of live rock for a 75-gal tank is a very nice start. You can always add another 30 to 50 lbs later on but the new addition must be fully cured before putting it into your tank. How much live rock you need is one of those personal preference things, especially if you also have a sand bed. You may decide that 75 lbs is all you want once you get that much in there.

[scubadude]

Originally Posted by Ninong

One hundred pounds of aquacultured Gulf of Mexico live rock will take up a lot less space than 100 lbs of live rock from the South Pacific.

But it may displace alot more water, since it is generally more dense

Originally Posted by Ninong

How much live rock you need is one of those personal preference things, especially if you also have a sand bed. You may decide that 75 lbs is all you want once you get that much in there.

Totally agree w/Ninong! It really is a personal preference. And 1 lb. per gallon is plenty of LR, remember that its not just the amnt. of LR that is reliant on your setup but your flow rates, skimmer performance, and other exports such as a refugium will also come into play for helping to decide how much live rock you will need. But the old adage that 1.5-2lbs of LR per every gallon is quickly becoming outdated because of the newer approaches of higher flowrates, more aggressive skimming, and larger and more effecient refugiums.