how much LR is enough?

[Iceburg98]

Hello all,

I was just curious how much LR you would add to a 6 gal soon-to-be reef tank. I am currently cycling 20 lbs of live sand and about 8.5 lbs of LR. I have some room to add more LR if i have too, but I don't want to if i don't have to. I've heard that you generally want 2 times the water volume in lbs of rock, but i'm not sure how accurate this is. If i need to, i can also add some bio-balls to my filter, but i'd much rather have the LR provide all the bio-fitration.

Just wondering if I should add more rock, or if i'll be safe with what I have

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[dragon79]

I think so, the rest of the other areas where you'd think you'd need more will more and likely be filled when you buy soft corals, LPS, Zoo's, polyps, mushrooms, etc.

Also post some pics, I'd like to see your aquascaping.

 

[Iceburg98]

Yeah, i know a lot of the empty space i have wil be taken up by corals, i just wanted to make sure my water won't get too out of control with that setup. I'm planning on doing weekly water-changes anyway.

I'll post some pics for you guys soon, my aquascaping usually sucks, and i might redo it, although i have some nice little caves and what-not set up in there now :smile:

 

[incysor]

Most of what I read suggested 1-3lbs of liverock per gallon of water.

Keep in mind that most corals will come attached to some liverock, so 8lbs in a 6.5g should be fine, because you'll be adding some as you add corals.

B

 

[Iceburg98]

So i went to my LFS and bought a few more small pieces - about 2 lbs - so i have roughly 10 lbs total. I think that should be enough (unless anyone has any serious concerns about that). They gave me a discount, and they just got a new shipment, so i was able to pick out some really cool pieces.

I think i'll stay with that, since i don't want to over-fill my tank with rock

I realize that corals come mounted on rocks, so hopefully i'll get a little more from that - which is another reason i don't want to put too much in initially - still need room for the stuff thats fun to look at :shock:

 

[djconn]

Yep, every frag I get comes attached to some kind of rock. You'd be surprised just how quickly you'll accumulate rock that way. I wouldn't buy any more rock.