Live Rock in a smaller tank

[thequeenangel]

Hey there!! I'm new to ARC, and the saltwater world in general. I work at a saltwater store and have been sucked into the hobby. I've had freshwater tanks for awhile, but this is going to be my first saltwater. And while I may work with saltwater everyday, I have A LOT to learn.

So I'm setting up a 48 gallon that cubed shaped. It's going to be corals with just a few smaller fish. How much live rock should I have in my tank? Since my tank is taller, I know I want it stacked high, but I wasn't sure how much would be too much. There's only 10 pounds in there right now, which I know is no where near enough.

Thanks!

 

[dakota9]

Good Morning,

A 48 Cube? Sounds cool, post some pics.
If you pyramid the live rock in the center of the tank,so it gets circulation on all sides, you can do with less than if you stack it on the back. In any event, I'd go with 20 to 40 pounds, anything beyond that is personal preference. The steadfast rule is one to two pounds per gallon, but that rule was made to be broken. It also depends on what you want to keep in there.

Good luck and post pics!

 

[pufferchris]

The more the better IMO if u have a sump you can throw it in there my 60 gallon cube reef has about 175 pounds live rock split between my 30 gallon sump and 20 gallon refuge

 

[cr500_af]

No such thing as too much rock, except for its impeding swimming room or blocking good flow in the tank. As long as you like the look, use as much as you want. The size fish that would be appropriate in that size tank won't need massive open swimming areas.

 

[thequeenangel]

Thanks everyone! I'll try and put up some pictures tonight. All that's in there right now is sand and rock, but I do really like the shape of my tank and my stand.

 

[musicalocean]

I liked how easy it was for my rock to lock together. See if you can find any marco rock even if you have to wait awhile for the coraline to grow on it. Thats what I did Good luck & post some pics when you get done. I would love to see how it turns out

 

[pamelahaley]

There is such a thing as too much when you can't stack it :doh:

I find a nice set up then, get more corals and find more shelf space, go "AH! that looks good," look up out of my tank and find and extra piece I sat out of the water to get it out of my way then go "ARG! There is nowhere to put this!"

 

[musicalocean]

:lol2:That has T-shirt potential

Pamelahaley;572623 wrote: There is such a thing as too much when you can't stack it :doh:

I find a nice set up then, get more corals and find more shelf space, go "AH! that looks good," look up out of my tank and find and extra piece I sat out of the water to get it out of my way then go "ARG! There is nowhere to put this!"