Tank setup/Live Rock questions

[Tigershark22]

Hello, I am new to the hobby and will be setting up a 60gallon reef tank. I plan to use a majority of dry rock to create my desired aquascape, but wanted to have some actual cured live rock for the biodiversity of bacteria. The plan is 40-50lbs of dry rock and 10-15lbs of live rock. I will also have 60lbs of live sand. My questions are in regard to tank cycling. Should I still cycle by adding bacteria and ammonia for the dry rock? If not, how should I go about curing the dry rock in the tank?

 

[Formulator]

You still need to cycle, but may not need the bacteria. It will take a while for the dry rock to get coated in bacteria and the 10-15 lbs of live stuff is probably not enough to handle a significant bioload. You still need to feed the bacteria with ammonia or alternatively put a single hardy fish in there to provide the ammonia naturally.

Any chance I can talk you out of the dry rock altogether? Sooo many benefits to using all live rock and if you are already going to use some live, any benefit to dry rock (lack of hitchhikers) is already negated IMO. I guess its easier to build with engineered dry rock if that’s what you’re after.

 

[jabberwock]

In my opinion, quality of rock (real ocean live rock) far outweighs the visual satisfaction that is gained from aqua scaping. Been down both paths. Will only ever do "real ocean live rock" in the future. It's expensive, but worth it in the long run...

 

[56longroof]

X3 on using real live rock exclusively. The benefits far outweigh any undesirable hitchhikers.

 

[Tigershark22]

You still need to cycle, but may not need the bacteria. It will take a while for the dry rock to get coated in bacteria and the 10-15 lbs of live stuff is probably not enough to handle a significant bioload. You still need to feed the bacteria with ammonia or alternatively put a single hardy fish in there to provide the ammonia naturally.

Any chance I can talk you out of the dry rock altogether? Sooo many benefits to using all live rock and if you are already going to use some live, any benefit to dry rock (lack of hitchhikers) is already negated IMO. I guess its easier to build with engineered dry rock if that’s what you’re after.

 

[BristleWormHater]

You still need to cycle, but may not need the bacteria. It will take a while for the dry rock to get coated in bacteria and the 10-15 lbs of live stuff is probably not enough to handle a significant bioload. You still need to feed the bacteria with ammonia or alternatively put a single hardy fish in there to provide the ammonia naturally.

Any chance I can talk you out of the dry rock altogether? Sooo many benefits to using all live rock and if you are already going to use some live, any benefit to dry rock (lack of hitchhikers) is already negated IMO. I guess its easier to build with engineered dry rock if that’s what you’re after.

I agree I would do all or nothing for live rock. Hitchhikers are also a big plus for live rock imo(maybe that's because I got feather dusters and micro brittle stars tho)

 

[Tigershark22]

I am certainly open to all suggestions. I’ve read in prior threads that the consensus on tank quality centers around the diversity of ocean live rock. And I value that type of quality above other things, but the price difference between all live rock and doing a lot with dry rock is staggering for the amount of rock I suppose I need. As to why I was wondering if the same biodiversity could potentially be accomplished with a hybridized method, even if it takes longer. I don’t necessarily know what aesthetic I would prefer for the tank rock yet, other than wanting a good viewing setup. I just don’t necessarily know how to properly setup any sort of aquascape with live rock.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I am certainly open to all suggestions. I’ve read in prior threads that the consensus on tank quality centers around the diversity of ocean live rock. And I value that type of quality above other things, but the price difference between all live rock and doing a lot with dry rock is staggering for the amount of rock I suppose I need. As to why I was wondering if the same biodiversity could potentially be accomplished with a hybridized method, even if it takes longer. I don’t necessarily know what aesthetic I would prefer for the tank rock yet, other than wanting a good viewing setup. I just don’t necessarily know how to properly setup any sort of aquascape with live rock.

If you are looking for ocean liverock tbs has great stuff.
https://tbsaltwater.com/product-category/live-rock/

 

[Tigershark22]

You still need to cycle, but may not need the bacteria. It will take a while for the dry rock to get coated in bacteria and the 10-15 lbs of live stuff is probably not enough to handle a significant bioload. You still need to feed the bacteria with ammonia or alternatively put a single hardy fish in there to provide the ammonia naturally.

Any chance I can talk you out of the dry rock altogether? Sooo many benefits to using all live rock and if you are already going to use some live, any benefit to dry rock (lack of hitchhikers) is already negated IMO. I guess its easier to build with engineered dry rock if that’s what you’re after.

Tried to write this comment as a response to yours. Still learning lol. I am certainly open to all suggestions. I’ve read in prior threads that the consensus on tank quality centers around the diversity of ocean live rock. And I value that type of quality above other things, but the price difference between all live rock and doing a lot with dry rock is staggering for the amount of rock I suppose I need. As to why I was wondering if the same biodiversity could potentially be accomplished with a hybridized method, even if it takes longer. I don’t necessarily know what aesthetic I would prefer for the tank rock yet, other than wanting a good viewing setup. I just don’t necessarily know how to properly setup any sort of aquascape with live rock.

 

[Tigershark22]

If you are looking for ocean liverock tbs has great stuff.
https://tbsaltwater.com/product-category/live-rock/

That’s actually who I was looking at, I really like their options

 

[Formulator]

Tried to write this comment as a response to yours. Still learning lol. I am certainly open to all suggestions. I’ve read in prior threads that the consensus on tank quality centers around the diversity of ocean live rock. And I value that type of quality above other things, but the price difference between all live rock and doing a lot with dry rock is staggering for the amount of rock I suppose I need. As to why I was wondering if the same biodiversity could potentially be accomplished with a hybridized method, even if it takes longer. I don’t necessarily know what aesthetic I would prefer for the tank rock yet, other than wanting a good viewing setup. I just don’t necessarily know how to properly setup any sort of aquascape with live rock.

Cost is certainly a valid concern. It has been almost a decade since I last bought any rock and back then the difference wasn’t astronomical. My LFS keeps 5-6 100g rubbermaid tubs full of live rock in the front of the store which I picked my own pieces from to fill my 120g tank. I don’t remember exactly how much, but I can’t imagine spending more than $250 bucks at that time in my life financially. Perhaps times and prices have changed since then.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Cost is certainly a valid concern. It has been almost a decade since I last bought any rock and back then the difference wasn’t astronomical. My LFS keeps 5-6 100g rubbermaid tubs full of live rock in the front of the store which I picked my own pieces from to fill my 120g tank. I don’t remember exactly how much, but I can’t imagine spending more than $250 bucks at that time in my life financially. Perhaps times and prices have changed since then.

Same here my lfs sells live rock for 5.45$ a pound. So it can't be that rare to find an lfs with live rock.

 

[jabberwock]

I am certainly open to all suggestions. I’ve read in prior threads that the consensus on tank quality centers around the diversity of ocean live rock. And I value that type of quality above other things, but the price difference between all live rock and doing a lot with dry rock is staggering for the amount of rock I suppose I need. As to why I was wondering if the same biodiversity could potentially be accomplished with a hybridized method, even if it takes longer. I don’t necessarily know what aesthetic I would prefer for the tank rock yet, other than wanting a good viewing setup. I just don’t necessarily know how to properly setup any sort of aquascape with live rock.

Yes, cost is a valid consideration. But think of all the money you will spend on algae remedies. One of the biggest advantages of ocean live rock is that it does not come with what I call "available real estate". That is rock surfaces that are open to being populated by nuisance organisms. Granted my tank is much smaller than your proposed build, but check out my tank thread. TBS is a solid choice. If you can swing local pick up, it will help you save $$.

 

[X-37B]

I am certainly open to all suggestions. I’ve read in prior threads that the consensus on tank quality centers around the diversity of ocean live rock. And I value that type of quality above other things, but the price difference between all live rock and doing a lot with dry rock is staggering for the amount of rock I suppose I need. As to why I was wondering if the same biodiversity could potentially be accomplished with a hybridized method, even if it takes longer. I don’t necessarily know what aesthetic I would prefer for the tank rock yet, other than wanting a good viewing setup. I just don’t necessarily know how to properly setup any sort of aquascape with live rock.

I prefer all live on my systems but a blend works. I did 50/50 on my old 120 with good results. Any amount of live will be good for your system, imo.
You will have more of the uglies but it will only be on the dead rock
120 after 2 years

 

[BristleWormHater]

Noticed you live in Houston. Looking at google maps you have a lot of options, one of them probably has live rock, but tbs is always a great choice.

 

[Tigershark22]

Noticed you live in Houston. Looking at google maps you have a lot of options, one of them probably has live rock, but tbs is always a great choice.

Yeah I saw that there was quite a bit of options but mostly all of their websites are terrible lol so I’ll just have to call around and ask

 

[BristleWormHater]

Yeah I saw that there was quite a bit of options but mostly all of their websites are terrible lol so I’ll just have to call around and ask

Yeah, lfs websites are usually terrible lol, don't let that fool you though. I have great shops near me, and their websites are stuck in 2001

 

[Tigershark22]

Yes, cost is a valid consideration. But think of all the money you will spend on algae remedies. One of the biggest advantages of ocean live rock is that it does not come with what I call "available real estate". That is rock surfaces that are open to being populated by nuisance organisms. Granted my tank is much smaller than your proposed build, but check out my tank thread. TBS is a solid choice. If you can swing local pick up, it will help you save $$.

I prefer all live on my systems but a blend works. I did 50/50 on my old 120 with good results. Any amount of live will be good for your system, imo.
You will have more of the uglies but it will only be on the dead rock
120 after 2 years

Cost is certainly a valid concern. It has been almost a decade since I last bought any rock and back then the difference wasn’t astronomical. My LFS keeps 5-6 100g rubbermaid tubs full of live rock in the front of the store which I picked my own pieces from to fill my 120g tank. I don’t remember exactly how much, but I can’t imagine spending more than $250 bucks at that time in my life financially. Perhaps times and prices have changed since then.

Thank yall for the info! It seems the recommendation for rock quantity is 1-2lbs per gallon, is this accurate? What do yall recommend through your experiences?

 

[BristleWormHater]

Thank yall for the info! It seems the recommendation for rock quantity is 1-2lbs per gallon, is this accurate? What do yall recommend through your experiences?

Yeah 1-2lbs is a good rule of thumb. Don't be afraid to go a little under or over as long as your scape checks all the boxes.

 

[Tigershark22]

Yeah 1-2lbs is a good rule of thumb. Don't be afraid to go a little under or over as long as your scape checks all the boxes.

Okay awesome thank you