Live rock as a filter....

[mr.snoww]

hello all!

i have been planning for a saltwater tank for a year or so now, and will get started in a few months. i have decided that i will go for the natural system using live rock as the filter. but i have a few questions that i need to ask first.

-first of all... the books i have read have been brief on whether to use sand or not, they seem to contradict each other.
has anyone had any experience with the natural filter system?
if so did you go bare-bottom or sand?

-once again each book i read has a different weight to volume ratio when dealing wiht live rock and water. they vary from about 2lb-2.5lb per gallon, which would be best?

-are hang-on skimmers any good or would it be best to invest in a sump and an in-sump skimmer?

any help would be much appreciated, so thanks!!!!

 

[demonsp]

ITs 1 to 1.5 per gallon.I would do 1 lb per gallon of LR and 1.5 for SB. Is this a reef tank or a FOWLR? What size?
Oh and LR is your best bio filter if flow is proper and water condition in high.

 

[mr.snoww]

beautiful, thanks...
im not 100% sure on what size i will go with yet. im pretty sure i will go for a reef tank.

 

[demonsp]

As you add frags the LR amount will increase.Also a good 50/50 mix of LR and BAse rock is best.

 

[cpl40475]

yes live rock is a goodfilter. You have the option of usingsand or going bare bottomed. I personally have 125lbs of live rock,80lbs of sand and a small sump. I would suggest using all 3 if possible. as far as a HOB skimmer theres a few out there that are good.If you use a sump/refugium you can also place your skimmer in the sump and it opens up the varity of skimmers you can use. A skimmer is one thing not to skimp on if possible. As far as pondage goes its usually 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon of water. Just curious what size tank will you be running and is going tobe a reef or fish only. This can go into a lot more detail than I have explained but thats just a small general idea that i gave you hopefully others will chime in aslo
Tracy

 

[mr.snoww]

thanks for that..
i will most likely be going for a 4ft by 1.5ft. i live in Australia and we dont measure in litres not gallons so i couldnt tell ya the volume to be honest. sorry about that.
ill definantly go sand on the bottom and get a sump.
and also i will be going for a reef set up.

 

[kingfisher62]

Live Rock is great ! You are going to be amazed at all the critters you find on and in it!
1 to 1.5 pound per gallon will be sufficient .
You can always add more later but if you do it will have to be in small increments so your water does not spike too much!

 

[mr.snoww]

thanks for all the help so far, by the sounds of it 1-1.5lb is my best option so i will take everyones word for it.

thanks...