Live Rock for SPS Tank

[KingBlingTx]

Okay. I've been lurking for a few weeks as I am about to set-up 210g reef tank. I really want to focus on SPS. I've notice in many of the beautiful pics the "absence" of abundant quantities of live rock. Here is my question. Is is better to go with standard LFS suggestion of X lbs/gal (e.g. 1 1/2 lbs/gal) or should I go with mostly dry rock and a little live rock to seed the system?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions :bigeyes:

Kevin

 

[Ding2daDong]

I have had many aquariums and always have had algae/pest issues with buying LR. So for my newest build I purchased decorator dry rock. The rock is very porous and is only $2 a lb. No pests and I save money, what more can you ask for. I only needed 100lbs for my 120g.

hth

-Matthew

 

[MechEng99]

A lot of SPS-dominant tanks are lacking in live rock due to...well...let's face it...we want as much room for Acroporas to grow up into the water column as possible! Heavy skimming usually replaces the filtration provided by having a ton of LR and LS in SPS dominant tanks.

I also recommend using dry rock. LR often has all sorts of algae/pests you'll battle until the end. Save yourself the headache.

 

[KingBlingTx]

Thanks for the feedback. This prompts another newbie question. If using dry rock, what do you use to seed the system for the N cycle?

 

[MechEng99]

If you know anyone locally with a tank you trust, you can borrow a rock to go in your tank. It also helps to get a small sample of sand and some water. You can buy pods once your system is a bit more mature. And, once you start adding corals, some of the microorganisms will come on those as well.

Be on the look-out for byropsis algae and bubble algae in the tank you are going to seed your tank with. You don't want to seed your tank with that. Also check to see if the person has a problem with AEFW, Monti-eating nudibranchs, red bugs, flatworms, etc.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

If I was doing another tank, I'd do dry rock myself....

 

[nvdiz]

If I was doing another tank, I'd do dry rock myself....

i agree.... maybe w/ the exception of a small piece to seed. I've got aiptasia in my sps nano and luckily its spread has been very minimal. I do intend on getting some berghia in the near future. However, when I eventually upgrade to a larger tank, I am going to go dry rock.

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

I'd seed with prodibio, MB7 or Zeo and skip the chance all together...

 

[Threelittlefish]

Interesting.... I didn't know this. I am starting a new SPS tank as well and have some beautiful BR.

Should live sand be added? Or use the Home Depot pool filter sand.

Indo Pacific Reef sells pink and purple coralline algae on plastic which you just drop in the tank to seed it with coralline.

Should I add pods to the refugium? Bristleworms in the DT?

You can start the N cycle with Marineland Bio-Spira. You can drop fish in the first day you pour it in. It's a live cuture.