Finished my sump and question about dry rock

[edc_aquarium]

Today I finally finished my sump and I just checked how much dry rock I have and I have 40 pounds do you guys think it would be enough for a 55 gallon reef tank ?

 

[Bdrake]

The general rule of thumb is 1 pound per gallon but that can be very deceptive. The porosity and surface area are far more important than weight. If you were to use Pukani rock or something similar, you should be fine with 40 lbs in a 55 as your only source of biological filtration. If you were using a Caribbean rock, which is much denser and provides far less surface area, you'd be wise to use more or employ some other form of biological filtration. BRS has a great video on rock in their BRS52 series you should look into if you're interested.

 

[edc_aquarium]

The general rule of thumb is 1 pound per gallon but that can be very deceptive. The porosity and surface area are far more important than weight. If you were to use Pukani rock or something similar, you should be fine with 40 lbs in a 55 as your only source of biological filtration. If you were using a Caribbean rock, which is much denser and provides far less surface area, you'd be wise to use more or employ some other form of biological filtration. BRS has a great video on rock in their BRS52 series you should look into if you're interested.

I was going to also get a lot of marine pure blocks or balls

 

[Bdrake]

I would say you should be fine then. I prefer the minimalist look and don't worry myself with rock weight anymore, instead opting for aesthetic appeal. IIRC my 80 gallon display has about 50 pounds of rock. If I end up needing more I will either add rock to the sump or use another biological media. Marine Pure has intrigued me but I have never used it.

 

[edc_aquarium]

I would say you should be fine then. I prefer the minimalist look and don't worry myself with rock weight anymore, instead opting for aesthetic appeal. IIRC my 80 gallon display has about 50 pounds of rock. If I end up needing more I will either add rock to the sump or use another biological media. Marine Pure has intrigued me but I have never used it.

heres my aquascape I have so far

 

[Bdrake]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/
This write up is fantastic for aquascaping. Personally I would try to combine the two structures to the left

 

[mfinn]

40 lbs. seems kind of light, especially after looking at the picture, but having said that I just re-aquascaped my 233 with about 110-120 lbs. of rock.
But I also used a gallon of marinepure balls in a basket in the sump.

 

[edc_aquarium]

40 lbs. seems kind of light, especially after looking at the picture, but having said that I just re-aquascaped my 233 with about 110-120 lbs. of rock.
But I also used a gallon of marinepure balls in a basket in the sump.

I think I’ll be fine I’m also going to have a 5 gallon refugeium filled with algae and marine pure blocks

 

[mfinn]

I think I’ll be fine I’m also going to have a 5 gallon refugeium filled with algae and marine pure blocks

Yeah, as long as you use the extra filtration material like the marine pure and add the bio load slow, ( as opposed to a ton of fish all at once) you should be fine.

Like I said I used alot less than the normal "rule of thumb" amounts and it's worked out just fine.