Minimal Live Rock in Large Tank?

[Raoul5Duke]

Anyone here use a minimal amount of Live Rock in a large system (.5-.75 lbs per gallon)? I'm working on an upgrade from ~150 gallons to 350 gallon DT and 80 gallon sump. I have about 180 lbs of live rock now. I would really like my aquascape to be very open for good flow, plenty of room from corals to grow out and lots of swimming space for fish. I already have a massive skimmer and plan on utilizing filter socks, GFO, Carbon and likely an algae turf scrubber for filtration. I think a refugium on a system this large is futile unless it is huge so I am opting to not do that. Anyone have success using minimal live rock in their large system or suggestions for me? Thanks.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've had a few tanks that used very little live rock (one which had none.) I used the Marine Pure ceramic plates and spheres located in a sump t compensate. My current 270 build is following the same strategy.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

I've checked out your build previously. Looks like it is going to be nice.

 

[johnike]

I can't stand a cluttered tank, here's mine...
<object width="420" height="315"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/7gZOk3-tYcM?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/7gZOk3-tYcM?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

 

[dave.m]

You didn't say if you were planning to have a substrate (sand) in the tank. You really don't need that much live rock to keep a tank happy. The bacteria you want to cultivate grow everywhere, the sides of the tank, the walls of the sump, on the equipment, on the grains of sand. Things that provide extra surfaces for the bacteria to grow on are a nice idea but not proven to be needed. I would go with the minimalist approach and see if you really do need anything more. Then if your tank is having trouble keeping up with the bio-load you can always add stuff to the sump or tank as required later on. It will depend on how much stuff you try to cram into your tank.

Dave.M

 

[Raoul5Duke]

I will def. have sand. I've tried bare bottom and hated it. I understand your point Dave and I guess I already knew that to some extent. I was just looking for what others experiences have been. I guess its a bit of a self fulfilling question though. Large bioload = more filtration needed.

 

[Bilk]

Not sure of the amount, but I believe I have a minimal amount of rock in my tank and it's doing really well so far. I have no stacked structures. Just large rocks which provide ample area for mounting corals. You can check my build thread here in this forum. And as Dave said, the sump is another location for rock to be placed and to add components such as a remote DSB or cryptic zone at a later date, should you feel it necessary.

 

[Sethjamto]

I plan on going minimal in my 300g I'm setting up. I have a huge skimmer to help make up for it. I'd like to stay in the 150-175lb range, mostly larger show type pieces, with LOTS of open space and sandbed. I love that minimal look!

 

[ace_92101]

I use about 90 lbs in a 135 gallon with a live sand substrate. I prefer a tank with room for fish to swim and for coral to grow out. IMO most people use too much live rock.

 

[Arnel0387]

Put a few of these in your sump: MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia Plate.

I'll only be using about 50lbs of live rock in the DT for my 450G total system (300DT, 150sump/refugium) and put a dozen of 8” x 8” x 4” Plate MarinePure Ceramic Biomedia in the sump/fuge.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

I'll have to look into those. Thanks.

 

[ca1ore]

I upgraded from a stuffed 90 to a sparse 265. I figure I had about 150 lbs of love rock, and have not had any issues with a lack of bio filtration. I do use about 2 inches of medium grain sand. I probably did add another 30 pounds or so of rock for aesthetic purposes.

Whether additional bio media is necessary will depend also on stocking level. No matter the size of the skimmer, it will not compensate for insufficient bio filtration.

 

[Aww7979]

So I've heard and read that one of the problems with minimal live rock is the lack of places for this to hide and sleep? I tend to overload my reef with fish and up to know I've been really successfull with a peaceful tank. But then again I have one hell of a pile of rock in my current tank. So, will I be inviting trouble by not giving enough hiding places for the fish in my new tank?

 

[kris101]

you can also put Live rock in your sum. that will provide more surface for bacteria. I have about 60 pounds in my 80 gallon sump

 

[Adam G]

So I've heard and read that one of the problems with minimal live rock is the lack of places for this to hide and sleep? I tend to overload my reef with fish and up to know I've been really successfull with a peaceful tank. But then again I have one hell of a pile of rock in my current tank. So, will I be inviting trouble by not giving enough hiding places for the fish in my new tank?

For peace amongst your fish they should all have a place to sleep. You will want to plan to have enough caves and holes for them and multiple spots for them is even better.

I battle this with my tank. I have about 30 fish and minimal rock scape. I have added a mini wall in addition to my islands out in the main tank just for this purpose. This has helped a lot.