How much Actual Live Rock is needed

[bucksfan1976]

I have been in this hobby almost three years. I have heard so many different opinions. I have a 93 gallon cube and I wanted to open it up a bit more , I dont want to put the fish in Jepordy with reducing the natural filtration. So my questions how many lbs per gallon do you recommend.

 

[ColaAddict]

Its not really about lbs per gallon anymore. You can google minimalist aquascapes and you will see plenty of beautiful tanks with very small rockwork. Bacteria for biofiltration also grows on sand and walls of the tank. You can have more rocks in the sump instead of display tank. Having a powerful protein skimmer will also allow you to have smaller rocks

 

[bucksfan1976]

Thanks, I have a ASM G3 Skimmer rated for 250 Gallons.

 

[Browncoat]

Algae scrubber!!! :)

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I think you should be fine with less rock in display and more rock in sump.

 

[bucksfan1976]

Well the main reason Im asking is that I have a 40 gallon tub in my laundry im using as a sump. My wife wants her laundry room back. Im wanting to put a sump under the tank but space is limited. So I have roughly 60lbs of rock in my sump and 150 lbs in my tank. thats alot...