how much live rock...im new to saltwater tanks

[fish are friends!!]

Hey guys!!! how r u?! I was wonderin how much live rock i should put in my 60 gallon tank?? i read 1 pound for every gallon but that seems like a lot....is that much required?? wat do u recommend??


thx guys!!!!

[Original Fin]

1 to 1.5 for reef tanks, and closer to 2 for fish only tanks is what is commonly recommended. The higher the bioload, the more rock.


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[fish are friends!!]

wait wat?? 2 pounds per gallon?!? isnt that a lot??

[Kmoriarty]

Yea it is a lot but live rock acts as filtration. Depending on the bioload in your tank (or your planned bioload), you should be between 1-2 lbs per gallon.

[Reefing Madness]

This is a good read, check it out.
Live rock - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Purpose

For the aquarium trade this rock is highly valued not only for the diversity of life it can bring to the closed marine environment, but its function as a superior biological filter that hosts both aerobic and anaerobic nitrifying bacteria required for the nitrogen cycle that processes waste. Live rock becomes the main biological nitrification base or biological filter of a saltwater aquarium. Additionally, "live rocks" have a stabilizing effect on the water chemistry, in particular on helping to maintain constant pH by release of calcium. Lastly, live rock, especially when encrusted with multiple colors of coralline algae, becomes a major decorative element of the aquarium and provides shelter for the inhabitants. It's often used to build caves, arches, overhangs, or other structures in the tank, an art known as aquascaping.

In J. Charles Delbeek's article "Your First Reef Aquarium",^[1] he states,

“

The use of live rock immediately introduces into the aquarium numerous algae, bacteria and small invertebrates all of which contribute to the overall quality of the aquarium water. Live rock has just as much, if not more, surface area for bacteria than a trickle filter. Since live rock in the aquarium contains various types of bacteria, algae and corals, waste products such as ammonia, nitrate and phosphate can have a number of fates. Ammonia, nitrate and phosphate are readily assimilated by algae and photosynthetic corals growing on and in the rock. Ammonia can also be quickly converted into nitrate by the bacteria on and in the rock. This nitrate can be either absorbed by the algae and corals, or it can be denitrified by bacteria in close proximity to the nitrate-producing bacteria."[2]

[fish are friends!!]

well ok i guess its better 2 know y i need that much haha...how much does live rock usually cost per pound??

[Original Fin]

The same thing is being discussed in this thread...How much money am I in for ? 180 Gallon

[fish are friends!!]

kk thx!!