Yet another question about "Live Rock" and "dry rock"?

[mlovelace]

Hello, I have ready numerous times the articles on here about setting up a FOWLR tank. I just purchased a 75g used tank and will begin the process of cycling the tank next week. I am still confused on the amount of "Live Rock" to use with a "Fish Only" tank? I understand by the articles that live rock will not transfer over to dry or base rock. If I read the article correctly, years ago Live Rock was not in the tanks and the fish were fine as well? I was thinking about purchasing about 50 lbs of dry rock and 25-30 lbs of "Live Rock". Is this enough live rock, too much, or totally off base? I am sorry, but I am a newbie and all this information at times can be an overload on this small brain

I was checking out the Buk Reef Supply Pukani, Fiji, and Reef Saver Eco Rock. Has anyone purchased this and do they like it?

Sorry for the same old post again and again, just having a hard time grasping it all!

Thank you for the input, Mike

[leebca]

Thanks for posting. We're here to help with things like this. I wrote the post on live rock. It's purpose was to present the meaning of terms we in the hobby, don't define very well and certainly don't have any standards for.

I've described the functions of what live rock does. Is that a function you want?

The answer as to what to do comes from the answer to the other question: What do you want live rock for? It has a purpose as well as decoration. If you want to use the live rock (LR) to process nitrates (which are not a concern in a FO tank) then in a FOWLR tank you'll need in excess of 2 pounds per gallon. You see, the fish produce a lot of wastes. But if the LR is for decoration or to see the base rock with coralline algae over time, then heck, you just a few pieces of it.

In between these two extremes is to use the live rock in order to bring in with it some benthic creatures to spread throughout your aquarium. In this case choose your few pieces carefully or increase the numbers and sources of the LR to introduce a varieity of benthic creatures (things that live in the substrate) into your aquarium.

I can't answer your question, until you answer mine: Why are you wanting to use live rock? What do you want expect the LR to do?

[mlovelace]

Thank you for resonding!

"I can't answer your question, until you answer mine: Why are you wanting to use live rock? What do you want expect the LR to do?"

To be honest with you, I just wanted it for decoration originally, but reading many articles over the net caused me to think I must have it for my fish to survive? I plan on this tank being "Fish Only" with maybe a clean up crew if you think it is needed? I purchased a used set-up, with the following equipment with it.

Sump
bioballs
mesh filter
Euro Reef RS80
Mag7 pump
heater
lighting system
canopy
stand
75 g tank (with predrilled holes,overflow, and starboard in the bottom)
80 lbs of arognite sand
bucket of sea salt (instant ocean)

I have purchased the following to go with it:
2 Koralia-3 power heads
hydrometer
test kit
Python syphon system

I am thinking I need another 40 lbs of sand and "ROCK" What kind of rock is what I am concerned with.

I have looked at the Bulk Reef dry rock and Margo dead rock.
Are you telling me I could get away with what I suggested?
50 lbs of dry rock and about 15-20 lbs of live rock? Not trying to be cheap, but if it is not a necessity, I don't really have the extra money to throw around! I am also concerned with the visual look of dry rock and live rock. They will look very opposite with color originally. Will the dry rock eventually turn colors with time and bacteria build up?

Thank you again for responding!

[mlovelace]

Leebca, I just read again and missed your comment about fish producing lots of nitrates. Is there something else I can have in the filtration system that will help keep the nitrates reasonable or will regular water changes and adding help this? Do you think the clean up crew would help keep these down enough in a FO tank? Sorry for the double post on your question!

[leebca]

A separate canister filter with chemicals that absorb ammonia, nitrites, and/or nitrates (a chemical filter) can do this. But a system that heavily relies on this is just begging for a crash.