Live rock

[Wellcraft]

I been reading a lot about using live rock in our tanks. What do you guys recommend if I'll be building my reef out of foam and dead rocks like many others here. Can I just use some in the sump or do I have to put a lot of them inside the tank?

I definitely want to go the foam and rock way because I like the way they look and I want to save also some money.

Just so you know I'll be using live sand on the tank.

I honestly don't want to spend a fortune right know in live rock but I want to do everything the right way.
So what do you guys think should be appropriate for my tank right now.

I'm planning on having just fishes for the first year or more. The reason for this is that I definitely need a chiller and I don't want to make that investment until I make sure I'll be staying in the hobby.

About 15 years ago I did that mistake and lost a bunch of money and now I want to take is slow and do it the right way.

thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[Jandree22]

If you want to do it the right way, IMO, save up for Live Rock. I know how hard it is to save, I'm terrible with it, but well worth the cost. Remember you don't necessarily have to buy all of it in one shot, as long as you cure the stuff later on in a separate tank or new Rubbermaid garbage can.

 

[reefworm]

agree with jandree, but you can find middle ground by using dead [make sure it's not releasing phosphates from organics still in the rock] rock and foam for your basic structure and use some LR to seed the reef with organisms. you can do the same with live sand - use the new bagged stuff for most and seed it with a cup or two of live sand from a reefing buddy or your LFS. for the amount of rock you need for biofiltration [1~1.5 lbs per gallon a ROUGH approximation - depends on how porous the rock - the more porous the less needed in pounds] you'll need to put most in your DT - just leave room for swimming room, water flow throughout the tank, and grow out room for when you add corals down the road

 

[greggnyce]

Try reaching out to people in local reef society or aquarium clubs. You will be able to buy LR for 2-3$per pound. Also you can use marco rocks and seed the tank with a little live sand to save cash.