what size package?

[Sierra]

I've got a 100g RR Acrylic tank - But Just cant afford the 100g package all at once.

Whats the minimum size package ya'll would recommend?

I plan to order more later to complete my tank - But for now will have to start with a smaller package.

EDIT - Dont use amt of sand in this equation as I will add on the additional lbs of sand needed to my order.

 

[Iphis]

Main problem with breaking it up is that you will be paying more for the individual shipping of it, from what I understand.

So you would pay more in the long run if you broke it up over several shipments. (Keep in mind, each time you order a package of any size, you will be paying freight charges for both the first half, and second half of the shipment.)

The second problem I would worry about is the cycle each time you introduce that new, big shipment of LR being added. Not to mention the sand.

Hope this helps, I talk far too much for my own good.

Iphis

 

[phil519]

Iphis...

I talk far too much for my own good.

Based on # of posts - then I talk 5 times far too much!!

Two things:
One - You might be able to swing something with TBS where you order a smaller package - but your "second half" is for a larger sized order. Essentially you work out some kind of compensation to them for more rock. I'm sure they'll work with you on it.

Secondly - you could just stick with a smaller package. When I asked Richard your question via e-mail back in november - he just said "Just order the size you want..." Gotta love a vendor who doesn't shove the most expensive package in your face!?

Anyway - i went with a 35 package for my 55. (No other LR...).

HTH

 

[Sierra]

ok well Then I suppose I should get the largest package I can afford.

I dont want my tank to look empty - I suppose the new question is how dense are these rocks?

will 100 lbs of Live Rock look ok? Or Will I still be looking at an empty tank?


Any thoughts you guys can offer would be helpful - I just cant spend my whole budget on the rocks I need to have a few bucks left over for "the things that come up when you are starting a reef tank"

 

[dsp78213]

Re: what size package?

I've got a 100g RR Acrylic tank - But Just cant afford the 100g package all at once.

Whats the minimum size package ya'll would recommend?

I plan to order more later to complete my tank - But for now will have to start with a smaller package.

EDIT - Dont use amt of sand in this equation as I will add on the additional lbs of sand needed to my order.

I would just go with the biggest package you can afford. I got the 55 package for my 55g but when I upsize (to a 90 or 120), I am not planning on getting the package for the "difference."

I'll probably just get a little more rock. So, just get the biggest you can and add what you want to it later.

HTH

EDIT: I see that you just said that . That's what I get for starting a response and then walking away from the computer for a while.

 

[Iphis]

These rocks seem very dense, or at least, a lot of people state they are.

They do feel very heavy. They all have awesome shapes, though. I've been nothing but impressed with the rocks I got.

My second half of the shipment was one big rock. Thing was a monster to situate correctly because of the weight. It has tons of holes running through it, though.

Iphis

 

[H2OLUVSME]

Sierra - i agree, get the biggest you can afford. there are tons of tricks to aquascaping. you can make 60 pounds fill a 100 gallon tank (depending the demensions) or you can make a 100 gallon tank look empty with 150 pounds. some of the rocks are pretty dense and some are very porous. i had a 29 gallon tank and upgraded to a 75. i added a 25 gallon package and my tank looks full now.

i still would have ordered a bigger package, had i been able to afford it. i can see all the guys/gals that got bigger packages than me have tons more life/diversity. if you are interested i could show pics of all the stages. i have pics of the 29, the 75 with the rock from the 29, then with the TBS added later.

as far as adding TBS later, its a fine idea. if you get a decent size package, it should handle the small cycles that come with adding more rock later. also, you wont have to order a package later and deal with sand and critters, you could just buy their rock. or if you do buy a small package you can add the sand carefully, but the base rock will end up on top of your previos order. i always enjoy a full on re-aquascape though

the options are endless. just be prepared with every order to do lots of water changes, and keep salt and water in mind when factoring the costs. you would hate to spend all your money and watch the life die because you cant get salt i wouldnt think that would happen, but you never know

good luck and keep us posted!!!

 

[Sierra]

thanks for your input guys!

 

[rtcpenguin]

Like H20 said, if you want to work at it, you might be able to make a smaller package look much larger than it is...PVC and "Great Stuff" foam insulation are both cheap, and can really help in aquascaping.

 

[H2OLUVSME]

i wouldnt use great stuff in a reef aquarium personally. its not 100% safe, IMO.........unless you coat it with an epoxy of some sort.

 

[Sierra]

I'm choosing to go with some hirocks as baserock to save myself some money and aviod an empty look.... likely within several months my dead base rock will begin to show signs of life!