What is the right amt of LR to use for a Reef Tank?

[georgeortiz]

I think that I understand now. The less dense rock is more porus therefore more surface area which is an important factor in the reef system.
So I guess I should start looking at setting up a seperate system to cure the live rock I will be adding after I cycle initially.What are the setups some of you guys are using. Does a 40 gallon tub with skimmer and a power head for circulation sound sufficient?

[brewercm]

Not sure the skimmer would be a requirement, but wouldnt' hurt if you have an extra sitting around. Could be wrong there and someone will let me know if I am (no professional here).

I've heard tub, powerhead, and heater if temp may be a problem.

[eleyan]

I've never cured live rock at home, but I remember reading that using the skimmer in the curring process is a good practice. Basically, during the two weeks of curing, all the dead stuff on the live rock will be decaing in the tank, so the skimmer will help keep that tank clean not to kill of the organizms still alive on the live rock.

[matt]

Definitely use a skimmer when curing live rock, IMO. Ideally you'd have such a strong filtration system that there would be little or no secondary mortality on the rock from the curing environment. A plastic tub with a powerhead or two and a skimmer will work fine; try to keep the water temp in range, though, and if there's any coralline algae on the rock, you might want to get some light on it as well. You can skip all of this by buyng good quality cured rock. When you're ready, post something in the wanted to buy forum and you'll get lots of responses.

[matt]

Oh yeah, i forgot. The appropriate amount of live rock is whatever you want. If you're also running a good sand bed, you don't really need the rock for biofiltration. If you're running no sand bed, just make sure there's enough rock to make it look the way you want. You don;t need to fill the tank as so many people do. In fact, it's much easier to get a nice flow characteristic in the tank with less rock.

[cac]

Where did you get your base rock? A buck a pound sounds good to me. Might need to go your same route.

[georgeortiz]

thanks matt,
I am going to use 150 lbs of southdown. I lucked out and have a brother with in laws in PA. and he was able to get me some over xmas break. This should give me about 2 inches for a sand bed. I sort of like the less is more idea but, most everything I have seen stresses the large amounts of LR for filtration. But, the aquascape with the live rock spread out appeals to me a little more.
I will definetly post in the wanteds for cured LR as I get things started. I am also going to run a 20 gallon fug with a plenum so this will help with the bio filtration as well.

I think someone asked where I got my base rock from. I bought it from customaquatics.com. They carry the 25 and 50 lb boxes of carib-sea reef base rock and 40lb box of reef bones. The thing that gets you is the shipping. All in all It costs me about 1.70 a pound. Sorry I made it sound like it was closer to a dollar. I exagerated a little.

[Tim Marvin]

Cac, Greg and Eric bought a 2,000lb pallet of reef rock and are culturing it in large tubs. It was originally dry rock so you are free of bad algea and hitch hikers. The only draw backs are: it isn't as loaded with life as Premium Fiji, not heavy coralline growth, and slightly heavier. If you are patient and dose Kalk this rock will quickly color up and look just like Fiji. I have bought it in the past and after keeping it for a few months I could not tell the difference. Great rock, and definately a great price! I'd buy it if I were you. I still have one piece that looks alot like a skull with the eyes holes and all...LOL...

[georgeortiz]

Thanks, for the tips. I will let you know.