Help understanding how much rock

[BeejReef]

Good afternoon,

So, I've done a lot of research. I have my tank and basic setup. 3', 65g DT, basic 3 chambered sump. Will be starting with filter socks and skimmer. I've just finished plumbing an upgraded return and need to run some vinegar to clean before I add rock, saltwater, and begin my cycle.

Long term, I'm interested in macro-algae, an algae turf scrubber, and minimizing mechanical filtration... all of this would be well down the road when biological filtration is well established.

So, the question.. Can one have too much rock? I've heard passionate arguments on both sides.
1) the more the merrier OR
2) too much established rock will strip almost all phosphate and corals (and desired algae) won't have even trace amounts available

Is there consensus on this issue? My prelim understanding is that the tank's bio load and feeding will support a given population of beneficial bacteria, either jammed in Manhattan style on .75lbs/gallon, or living on 5 acre lots @ 2.5lbs rock/gallon?

ty

 

[Billldg]

Ultimately, its what you want, what you picture in your mind as to what you want your aquascape to look like. I personally like a cleaner look to a tank, meaning I don't want a wall of rock, I want the aquascape to have some structure and character to it, but others may like the wall look and that is fine to. You roughly need at least 1 pound of rock per gal of water, I would round it off to 80 pounds as it gives you more options as far as having that right piece of rock for the look you want. You can always put the rest of the rock in your sump for more filtering capacity. Also, make sure you have at least 2 in's of clearance between the rock and the glass for cleaning. You try to keep 2 in's roughly around the glass and the rock all the way around.

Either way, you have to remember that reefers are going bare bottom now, so a ton of rock, no rock, as long as you have some way for the bacteria to call home it really doesn't matter, to a point.

 

[BeejReef]

Ultimately, its what you want, what you picture in your mind as to what you want your aquascape to look like. I personally like a cleaner look to a tank, meaning I don't want a wall of rock, I want the aquascape to have some structure and character to it, but others may like the wall look and that is fine to. You roughly need at least 1 pound of rock per gal of water, I would round it off to 80 pounds as it gives you more options as far as having that right piece of rock for the look you want. You can always put the rest of the rock in your sump for more filtering capacity. Also, make sure you have at least 2 in's of clearance between the rock and the glass for cleaning. You try to keep 2 in's roughly around the glass and the rock all the way around.

I'm with you on the cleaner looking aquascape. I guess what I mean is, is it ok to add rock to the sump in excess of 1 lb rock/gallon. Will 2lbs of rock/gallon equate to a more robust biological filtration system, or just cause headaches?

 

[lapin]

My prelim understanding is that the tank's bio load and feeding will support a given population of beneficial bacteria, either jammed in Manhattan style on .75lbs/gallon, or living on 5 acre lots @ 2.5lbs rock/gallon?

Yep you got it.
The bacteria needs food and a surface to grow on.
I dont think you can have too much. If you do find nutrients lacking, then feed more.
If you have too little surface then you can run into too many nutrients. Then add more rock to the sump.

 

[Billldg]

I ordered 100 lbs of rock and used about 90 lbs of it in my aquascape, I put the rest in my sump, it will only help.

 

[Billldg]

If you want more surface area for the bacteria to populate in the sump then you can put in Marine Pure bio blocks in the sump, more surface area by a ton than any rock out there for the bacteria to populate.

 

[BeejReef]

If you want more surface area for the bacteria to populate in the sump then you can put in Marine Pure bio blocks in the sump, more surface area by a ton than any rock out there for the bacteria to populate.

read my mind on that one

 

[Radman73]

Every tank will be different. I have what is likely considered a pretty light rock load in my 220. Not sure I even have 100lbs of rock and I have to dose phosphate and nitrate.