Yet Another Dumb Question about Live Rock

[Frigideus]

Alright hopefully soon I can get everything squared away but I need to ask, if I want a full and nice looking aquascape, how many pounds of rock do I need? I want the rocks to be 3 inches from the edges, and about 60-70% ways to the top, so that I may put some higher par SPS later when I get more experience. I do not know how dense each rock is per pound really, and these rocks can be expensive so I do want to make sure I get all the rock I need the first time around.

Tank dimensions are 48'' x 24'' x 16''. 100 gallons.

I am planning to buy from TBS or GLR, if that helps in calculating the weight amount.

All help is appreciated.

 

[Subsea]

Where are you buying your live rock from determines weight per pound. Diver collected live rock from Gulf of Mexico is dense limestone. It’s the the rock I buy.

Depending on which fish inhabit your reef, some open areas are required.

Considering that you are new at this, Your idea of “full & nice looking” may be crowded when things grow out. The pressure to get everything just right the first time and never to add rock again does not sound very pragmatic to me. In 55 years of reefing, it has not worked that way for me.

 

[Frigideus]

Where are you buying your live rock from determines weight per pound. Diver collected live rock from Gulf of Mexico is dense limestone. It’s the the rock I buy.

Depending on which fish inhabit your reef, some open areas are required.

Considering that you are new at this, Your idea of “full & nice looking” may be crowded when things grow out. The pressure to get everything just right the first time and never to add rock again does not sound very pragmatic to me.

Probably going to go with TBS? though on that note, is there any reason why pretty much all real live rock comes from florida?

Additionally, is it okay to just introduce live rock later on into the system? Could I buy 50 lbs of live rock now, and then 50 later in a couple months? It seems like there is no commitment on what rock I add to my tank at any given time, though I don't know if there's the possibility of introducing bad diseases or pests to my tank if I do it incrementally.

 

[Subsea]

Probably going to go with TBS? though on that note, is there any reason why pretty much all real live rock comes from florida?

I think Austrailia has live rock, as well as Vietnam.

Economy of shipping is one reason. Talk with TBS about the weight of their rock. At one time, Walt Smith partnered with TBS using light puka rock.

“ live rock (often spelled
Pukani) is a popular, extremely porous, and lightweight dry rock for saltwater aquariums, known for its high surface area, unique structures with many nooks for coral placement and hiding spots, excellent value (more volume per pound), and easy aquascaping with tools like a hacksaw or Dremel, though some may need pre-soaking to manage potential phosphate leaching. It's sourced from places like Indonesia and provides a great foundation for beneficial bacteria and aquascaping in reef tanks. “

 

[Subsea]

Probably going to go with TBS? though on that note, is there any reason why pretty much all real live rock comes from florida?

Additionally, is it okay to just introduce live rock later on into the system? Could I buy 50 lbs of live rock now, and then 50 later in a couple months? It seems like there is no commitment on what rock I add to my tank at any given time, though I don't know if there's the possibility of introducing bad diseases or pests to my tank if I do it incrementally.

Introduction of pest is always a possibility no matter what order rock is added.

Add live rock to base rock or add a second batch of live rock is good either way.

 

[bushdoc]

I went for hybrid solution, building base from dry rock and adding TBS and Aussie rock on top. It works well so far. Problem with live rock is that to achieve best results with lowest cost you need to have it shipped overnight and doing multiple shipments will cost you more. So I can’t really tell you how many lbs you need, but you can look at TBS pictures from their website and estimate from that.

 

[Reef.]

Probably going to go with TBS? though on that note, is there any reason why pretty much all real live rock comes from florida?

Additionally, is it okay to just introduce live rock later on into the system? Could I buy 50 lbs of live rock now, and then 50 later in a couple months? It seems like there is no commitment on what rock I add to my tank at any given time, though I don't know if there's the possibility of introducing bad diseases or pests to my tank if I do it incrementally.

Yes adding more later would be fine…if you are having sand then I wouldn’t worry about the amount of rock, go for what you like the look off but include hiding places for the fish, if no sand, same advice but add a couple of bioballs in the sump.

 

[backbayreef]

I would only stack things half way from the top so the tank doesn't look cramped while providing room for fish to swim and SPS to grow later.

 

[Frigideus]

I went for hybrid solution, building base from dry rock and adding TBS and Aussie rock on top. It works well so far. Problem with live rock is that to achieve best results with lowest cost you need to have it shipped overnight and doing multiple shipments will cost you more. So I can’t really tell you how many lbs you need, but you can look at TBS pictures from their website and estimate from that.

Whenever I look at sites like TBS or GLR, I am noticing they have two kinds of live rock. One is 'base rock' and one is 'premium'. Can the lifeforms on the 'premium' rock survive in a new tank? The whole point of me doing live rock was because it largely expedites the process of setting up a tank. But is there a difference between the premium and base live rock otherwise?

 

[HotManwich]

Whenever I look at sites like TBS or GLR, I am noticing they have two kinds of live rock. One is 'base rock' and one is 'premium'. Can the lifeforms on the 'premium' rock survive in a new tank? The whole point of me doing live rock was because it largely expedites the process of setting up a tank. But is there a difference between the premium and base live rock otherwise?

The premium stuff is for adding a finishing touch to an established tank, adding more diversity to a mature tank, or filling out a nano that youre going to have to baby anyways, new or not.

I would say buy the basic live rock to establish a good and healthy bacterial ecosystem, and then when the tank is more established and can support specialized life, adding the premium to accent it.

 

[X-37B]

Go with 100% Premium.
100lbs in that tank would do.
A 16" tank is going to be around 13.5" to the bottom. I ran same tank as a growout a few years ago.
This is my 150 with 150lbs of premium GLR, 59×30×21.
Tank is 1.5 years old now.
Add all the rock at once. You will be able to add coral in a month.