Adding more LR

[TMartinez]

So in my 29g i have approx 20 lbs of LR. I am considering adding more. Questions:

A) Would there be any benefit to adding more?
B) What should the end result (amount) be?
C) Won't the tank recycle?
D) Will it be harful to my fish/inverts/corals?

 

[Pazzoman]

More Rock = More Bio Filteration

End Result Amount- many opinions (Some people don't use live rock at all and some people do 5 pounds a gallon)

Live rocks could never be harmful to fish/inverts unless they were not cured and placed in an existing fish tank or you are aquascaping and drop a rock on a fish/invert.

Also beware of some hitchhikers like mantis shrimp....

 

[Otherone]

1lb to 1.5lbs max per gallon - I've been cycling thru a 180 adding LR that's not fully cured weekly and everytime I add the Nitrites go back up to 5ppm for another week, at weeks end it's down to .25 ppm w/ nitrate at 40 ppm. I'd imagine once a tank is fully established the ranges wouldn't be so extreme.

 

[TMartinez]

I knew the benefits of bio filtration, thus why I wanted to add more. I was concerned however that the "spiking" could be harmful to the fish. I also need more surface area for coral.

 

[Otherone]

Ever consider adding base rock instead - there will be no spike as nothing is live on or in base rock and your existing LR will spread to it.

 

[calpoly12]

base rock isnt a bad idea, just dont add huge amount of LR at once and you will be fine

 

[Addikted2Cichlids]

More Rock = More Bio Filteration

End Result Amount- many opinions (Some people don't use live rock at all and some people do 5 pounds a gallon)

Live rocks could never be harmful to fish/inverts unless they were not cured and placed in an existing fish tank or you are aquascaping and drop a rock on a fish/invert.

Also beware of some hitchhikers like mantis shrimp....

I agree with everything except 5 lbs per gallon, you would barely have rrom for fish if any at all. I have a 29g as well. I added more rock about 4 months after my tank has been setup. I had my LFS leave it in their live rock tank for awhile to cure it for me. Then I picked it up and got it home as fast as possible. Did a quick salt dip and then straight to my tank.

 

[FLESHY]

There is no pounds per gallon rule that means anything. Back in the day when filtration was terrible and people had no idea what they were doing they set minimum tank sizes of 30g for "all" marine fish (The main goal of this was to make a stupid rule, and they achieved that.), and other things like one pound of LR per gallon.

What you need to do is make sure that your fish are comfortable, and that you dont have any dead spots. Those are the two biggest things for me when it comes to LR.

Buy high quality stuff and you will have plenty of bio filtration.

Your tank will probably have a mini-cycle, but not a full one. Try to buy cured stuff locally if you can and keep it submersed in water.

I would add more rock if I felt I needed it, or some special pieces to finish of a display.

 

[Pazzoman]

I agree with everything except 5 lbs per gallon, you would barely have rrom for fish if any at all. I have a 29g as well. I added more rock about 4 months after my tank has been setup. I had my LFS leave it in their live rock tank for awhile to cure it for me. Then I picked it up and got it home as fast as possible. Did a quick salt dip and then straight to my tank.

Hey, I don't mean actually 5 pounds, I've seen people throw huge amounts of live rocks, 5pounds a gallon (apparently most are dense)

I currently have 1 pound of lr per gallon in my tank lol