Live rock question.

[punkroc701]

So I am guessing I am doing a Nano reef tank. I have a 5 gallon tank and am being told I need at least 5 lbs of live rock. The LFS sells it for about $9 a lb and every place I have looked online sells large quantities of it. I had someone ask if Lava rock would work so I am wondering if anyone has used Lava rock, know where I can find small amounts of live rock, or if anyone has a DIY site to make liverock. Thanks for the help.

[Zach]

So I am guessing I am doing a Nano reef tank. I have a 5 gallon tank and am being told I need at least 5 lbs of live rock. The LFS sells it for about $9 a lb and every place I have looked online sells large quantities of it. I had someone ask if Lava rock would work so I am wondering if anyone has used Lava rock, know where I can find small amounts of live rock, or if anyone has a DIY site to make liverock. Thanks for the help.

Hey, how's it going?

Is this your first tank? If so then 5g will get small really quick...believe me you will probably want more space for corals and fish and everything and a larger tank would be easier to take care of.

But otherwise yeah, the general rule is at least 1 lb/gallon of live rock. I don't know anything about lava rock sorry, but the main purpose of live rock is the bacteria and microorganisms living in/on it that help with filtration.

Try checking out Premium Aquatics's live rock, they have nano rock for much cheaper than your LFS: NANO Live Rock: Premium Aquatics

Hope this helps.

[Steve McKay]

Zach is right,there are several reasons against having a tank that small.

1.The smaller a tank is the quicker bad changes can happen,due to water mass.

2.In that size tank you should have no more than two small fish,I would recommend one.

3.A tank that size normally has everything built in to the hood and is really only meant for fish only.

4.You will soon learn that if you enjoy having a reef tank,you will want a bigger tank.

To have a successful reef tank you will need these items:

1.Tank,with no top or canopy,both these items hold in heat and don't allow for good gas exchange.

2.Circulation pumps for the tank,a reef tank must have good water circulation for biological filtration.

3.Lighting,the right amount to support corals.

4.Protein skimmer,a good skimmer is a must it is your mechanical filtration.

5.Sump,it isn't a necessity but it will add more water volume making your tank more stable and it gives you a place for your heater,skimmer and other equipment without cluttering up your tank.

6.Sand,don't make the mistake of getting crushed coral it's particle size traps waste get aragonite sand.

7.Live rock,1lb-1.5lb per gallon don't get lava rock or make your own.Live rock needs to be porous,get standard live rock like Fiji rock for example.

8.You will need other small items such as heaters,pumps,hydrometer etc.

If you have a tank like an Eclipse with everything built in to the hood,I don't recommend using it for a reef aquarium.I would buy a standard tank and go from there,I would recommend at least a 30 gallon.I would also research what is involved in having a reef setup.Start here with this link.Click here before you ask, (links to answers)

[punkroc701]

Thanks guys.

I am starting with a 5 Ga but I am building a much larger one, the small one is mainly a grow out tank for the reef. I have the stuff for a sump, I still need a skimmer, but since I am not finished building the larger tank no rush there. I found T5 lights and fixtures suprisingly cheap so that also will not be an issue when the time comes.

As for fish in the 5 ga I was looking at a clown (mainly for my little girl who has a freash water tank now) and a star fish.

The bigger tank I figured if I had some live rock by then (bought or man made) I could work on making more and giving it life. while the construction and all continued with the larger tank.

I would like to thank you guys for all the input though, this being my first SW tank it has all been a learning process.

[punkroc701]

I ended up paying 6.99 a lb and got it all put together last night. Now 3 weeks to go befor I can get coral and my other stuff for it. The guy at the LFS helped me pick out the rocks (he has a coral tank) and gave me some real nice porus rocks with some small sponges some coraline (I think he called it) and some other stuff. I will post a picture of it all set up later.

[Parrothead]

I ended up paying 6.99 a lb and got it all put together last night. Now 3 weeks to go befor I can get coral and my other stuff for it. The guy at the LFS helped me pick out the rocks (he has a coral tank) and gave me some real nice porus rocks with some small sponges some coraline (I think he called it) and some other stuff. I will post a picture of it all set up later.

Don't get the cart ahead of the horse, just because a tank is done with it's intial cycle(your 3 week comment). A successful reef tank needs to be done slowly, it needs to mature a bit, most successful tanks don't see the first coral till about 6 months to a year after the cycle, keep reading and doing some more research, don't just figure because your cycle is done you can start adding corals, and if your lfs says you can, I'd be thinking about a different lfs. JMHO

[punkroc701]

I told them I was still new and going to piece it together so my LFS said as long as I waited the 3 weeks with such a small tank, it would give it time to go through any amonia spikes, and add life to the entire tank, but to wait til after the brown algea stage before adding anything else (usually a 3 week time frame for such a small tank). I am sure when I go back in they will advise me correctly. The shop will also test my water to make sure I am good to add stuff in 3 weeks free of charge. All but 2 people who work there have SW tanks and even though they would like to make a sale they are really helpful, and advise so that your tank will grow, and that you aren't in there buying stuff all the time. When I went in for the live sand and live rock the guy that helped me suggested 2 types of sand surprisingly the first was cheaper then the second.

Either way both what I am hearing here and at my LFS seem to be about the exact same thing. I still appreciate all the comments and info I am getting so please continue. Thank you.

[rluix]

I told them I was still new and going to piece it together so my LFS said as long as I waited the 3 weeks with such a small tank, it would give it time to go through any amonia spikes, and add life to the entire tank, but to wait til after the brown algea stage before adding anything else (usually a 3 week time frame for such a small tank). I am sure when I go back in they will advise me correctly. The shop will also test my water to make sure I am good to add stuff in 3 weeks free of charge. All but 2 people who work there have SW tanks and even though they would like to make a sale they are really helpful, and advise so that your tank will grow, and that you aren't in there buying stuff all the time. When I went in for the live sand and live rock the guy that helped me suggested 2 types of sand surprisingly the first was cheaper then the second.

Either way both what I am hearing here and at my LFS seem to be about the exact same thing. I still appreciate all the comments and info I am getting so please continue. Thank you.

Small tanks need more time to cycle, as the creatures that you will get in your tank, will produce ammonia, and in a small tank it can get to hight levels very fast(just like the "cycle will complete in 3 weeks because the tank's small"), unless you do 2 water changes every week.

Listen to parrothead, wait AT THE VERY LEAST one month and a half before adding ANY types of life to your tank, trust me, it will be worth it. Don't rush things.

[punkroc701]

I am piecing it together so no rush at all. The only part I was rushing was getting the rock and sand so I could at least get it started. Now it is just a waiting process. I have my heater on the way and next is to get my t5 light. So as you can see it will be a little time before I am ready to add any other life to it. No rush at all. Just saying it will be at least 3 weeks before I can even think of adding anything. I realize it may be more then 3 weeks but at least 3 weeks before I can even think about it. Thanks again for all the inputs and advise.

[modernmagic]

6.Sand,don't make the mistake of getting crushed coral it's particle size traps waste get aragonite sand.

7.Live rock,1lb-1.5lb per gallon don't get lava rock or make your own.Live rock needs to be porous,get standard live rock like Fiji rock for example.
[/url]

Does sand in any way count towards the 1-1.5 lbs/g ?

I have new 40g with 40lbs of sand. I only had 17lbs of LR from my last tank. So, it looks like I need to buy 23-43lbs of LR.

[mpwolken]

Look in your local areas in classifieds (maybe on this site if they are here); see if you can find some live rock for sale. If so, you can just cook the rock for six weeks and it should be in good shape. Just ask the seller if they've ever used any "ich" treatments or know that they have used copper treatments. If the rock is coming from a reputable reef keeper's system, it will not be toxic. Usually you can find it for $1-$3/lb. when someone is moving or getting out of the hobby.

[blennydude]

Punkroc are you a teenager? Just curious.

[punkroc701]

Modern Magic,

From what I have read and been told you need .5 to 1 lb of sand per gallon, and 1 lb of rock per gallon as well. I am still new to this so I maybe wrong so hopefully someone else can chim in and tell us if I am right with my research.

MP,

I got my rock for the 5 gallon. I found some ads on Craig's list, but one guy never got back in touch with me and the other guy said he would not sell to anyone who's tank was not at least 6 to 8 months old. I went in and got it at my LFS and they cut me a little bit of a deal. I just was not expecting live rock to be so expensive is all. I guess I didn't do as much reserch as I thought I had.

Blendydude,

Can I ask why you asked?

[blennydude]

I asked b/c I have a bet w/ my friend that all.

[punkroc701]

In that case I'm not gonna tell but my bday is in my profile I believe so you can figure it out. To everyone else thanks for the help.

[blennydude]

I don't see it.

Are you going to wait and set up a larger tank, or are you going on with the 5 gallon?

[Parrothead]

thats cause as of 2 minutes ago it ain't there

[Parrothead]

I ended up paying 6.99 a lb and got it all put together last night. Now 3 weeks to go befor I can get coral and my other stuff for it. The guy at the LFS helped me pick out the rocks (he has a coral tank) and gave me some real nice porus rocks with some small sponges some coraline (I think he called it) and some other stuff. I will post a picture of it all set up later.

How about some pics of the 5 gallon with the live rock in it, we love pictures

[punkroc701]

I am not a teenager and I wish I was still in my 20's. As for the 5 gallon, I am not pushing it so hard. I may still do a little something to get started, but am really gonna wait to get my bigger tank before I get alot of stuff. Maybe a CUC and one coral to start this one but they will not be added at the same time. I am building a 36 gallon for a corner in my room (providing this one doesn't leak like the last 2).

I have pictures up in another entry, let me see if I can move them over here.

[punkroc701]

It's all nice and brown now. I will do a water change tomorrow and test my levels. My amonea is 0 as of last week everything else is kinda high still. I am also looking to rearange the rocks again.