[Fishez]

Im starting up a 20 gallon tank and Ive pretty much got everything I need except for live rock becouse it is so exspensive and shipping realy hurts too... I was wondering how much live rock would be enough 20lbs or 40lbs or??? I had a saltwater tanks for a few years but ive never dealt with live rock much. also where is the best place to buy it online, LFS wants 7 - 9 bucks a pound so thats not going to happen lol

[Fish R.Ph.]

Originally Posted by Fishez

Im starting up a 20 gallon tank and Ive pretty much got everything I need except for live rock becouse it is so exspensive and shipping realy hurts too... I was wondering how much live rock would be enough 20lbs or 40lbs or??? I had a saltwater tanks for a few years but ive never dealt with live rock much. also where is the best place to buy it online, LFS wants 7 - 9 bucks a pound so thats not going to happen lol

Hi Fishez,

I have a 20G Tall FOWLR tank and have about 25 pounds of LR. Many say to use 1-2 pounds per gallon. It also depends on the rocks 'density' and, quite frankly, your personal preference for how it 'looks'. I bought it all at LFS. I used at least 4 differenent stores, adding it slowly over the course of several months (as I could afford it). If you have no fish, you can add it all at once to cycle your tank. Otherwise, add it slowly (and only the fully cured stuff), because it will cause a new cycle due to some die off. I liked the variety of shapes/looks I got by getting it at different places (and so does my Coral Beauty ). I paid everything from 4.99 to 8.99 per pound. Shipping could get too $$$ for buying less than 40 pounds.

Anyway, my advice is to check several LFS for prices & quality (do you want Fiji, Tonga?). Sometimes they will let you buy a piece or two from a nice display tank...just ask!

Anyway, I'm sure some of the other guys on this forum will have even better thoughts and advice. Keep checking.

Originally Posted by Fishez

I've pretty much got every I need

After many years of fishkeeping I still don't have everything I need.... Or is it "I WANT..."

-Jason

[Fishez]

Yeah im far from having everything I want but I have most of the basic stuff I need like tank, stand, lighting, substrate, heaters, filters ect. Im thinking about putting 2 percula and a blue neon goby and a bubble tip in there once its cycled. Thanks for the advice Fish R.p.h I think I will try 30lbs maybe.

[Fishez]

I found this while looking for live rock today http://www.intmarinefish.com/caribbe...tm#live%20rock

Is this a realy good deal or what? $78.75 for 25lbs and free shipping almost sounds too good to be true.

[Fish R.Ph.]

Originally Posted by Fishez

I found this while looking for live rock today http://www.intmarinefish.com/caribbe...tm#live%20rock

Is this a realy good deal or what? $78.75 for 25lbs and free shipping almost sounds too good to be true.

Hi Fishez,

www.aquacon.com has a large variety of live rock to chose from. This is what they say about the Caribbean live rock you were asking about:

Originally Posted by aquacon web site

The biggest difference between Caribbean Live Rock and Fiji, Tonga or Marshall Island, is that the caribbean rock is more plated or sheets. Not massive round knarley pieces but lots of plated look formations. Some people like this look, some people don't. Caribbean live rock has many open areas due to its plating structure which will enable the aquarium to have better circulation, and a natural appearance. Furthermore, the ease of affixing corals to this type of live rock is a painless task due to the structure of the rock. Hard, Soft and Polyp corals will rest more easily and securely in the open spaces naturally found. Caribbean rock has been used in many aquariums to form a beautiful aquascape, with many open holes and crevices, for marine life to hide

If you like that look, then it may be a good choice. I personally really like the Fiji stuff, and have a couple Tonga pieces mixed in.

If you go with the Caribbean, I would call the seller and make sure you get some large pieces, and not just a lot of rubble.

Anyway, HTH.

-Jason