how much rock do I need?

[doox00]

putting together my fowlr system which consists of this so far.

90g all glass overflow tank
asm g1-x skimmer
20 or 30 gallon sump w/ refugium (have not built yet)
typhoon III RO unit
quiet one 4000 return pump
2 x 200 watt heaters
will be getting coralife 4x65 lighting for this tank
will use a sand bed 3-4" deep??

I plan to get X amount of base rock (something the live rock I purchase will seed over time)
I would like to purchase only about 20-30 pounds of live rock, how much base rock should I get? how many pounds of rock total should I have for a fowlr tank? I know it depends on how many fish, kinds etc, but a general rule what is recommended?

Also, would it be a good idea to have some sort of mechanical filter as well? if so what would be recommended? I want to do this right the first time, and not have to repurchase stuff because i bought the wrong thing to begin with, plus I want to make sure I have everything I need to do it right from the start.

 

[BlackOnyx]

as much as you think looks nice. You can get 2 rocks the same size which have totally different weights.

 

[six.line]

Mechanical filters fill up with dead/rotting material, and so they need cleaning. I wouldn't recommend one, but they are out there and they do well. I don't know which from which.

I personally feel bio filtration is the best. Then the rule of thumb is a pound per gallon, which it seems you already knew.

Keep in mind if you do decide to have less rock overall, then if you ever want to add more it's a pain.

As far as base rock goes, I'm not sure, dude. Sorry. Since you can get live rock on the web for pretty cheap, say $3.30 per pound (with 2 day shipping included), I'd say go with all live rock. Maybe someone else will know more about base rock than me.

 

[doox00]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6793425#post6793425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlackOnyx
as much as you think looks nice. You can get 2 rocks the same size which have totally different weights.

This is true, and the lighter rock that is probably more pourus(sp) would probably have more living organisms on it which would be better overall for filtration right? I like the look of fiji and tonga I think its called. in my tank I should look into getting roughly 80-100 pounds of it then?

 

[philagothos]

Typically, in a FOWLR the bioload is considerably higher than in a reef, I would think at least 1.5lbs/gallon (135#) on up to 2lbs/gallon (180#). You can get base rock from Hirocks for ~$1.5/lb for their best stuff on down to ~$1/lb for the most basic of base rock. This would save you a considerable amount over using all liverock. HTH.

 

[doox00]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6793731#post6793731 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by philagothos
Typically, in a FOWLR the bioload is considerably higher than in a reef, I would think at least 1.5lbs/gallon (135#) on up to 2lbs/gallon (180#). You can get base rock from Hirocks for ~$1.5/lb for their best stuff on down to ~$1/lb for the most basic of base rock. This would save you a considerable amount over using all liverock. HTH.

I may get a 60 or 90 pounds of the higher quality stuff, and then 40 pounds of live rock. Live rock would then seed this stuff and eventually..(months?) it would all be live rock?

 

[philagothos]

Sounds like a good plan.