How much dry rock is really needed 180 gallon

[dreamcatcherr9]

Is the 1lbs per gallon rock rule still apply today? If using dry rock? I do plan on adding marine pure block. But how much of each?? Thoughts and opinions please.

 

[Boiler93]

Following. I’m setting up a Waterbox 180 and have the same question.

 

[cvrle1]

1lbs per gallon rule is not as good to use these day.

Years ago, we all used some sort of actual live rock that came from the ocean. Most of the rock was same composition, same porousness and when you said I got 50 lbs of rock, most of people had visual idea how much that really was. These days with man made rock, quarry rock and all other types of rocks used in the hobby, 50lbs of rock can mean very different things. For live rock, it is still several good, large pieces, while for other types it may be one heavy non pourous boulder.

Get visual idea on what type of scape you are going for, buy some rock, scape it, and then add as needed is probably best way of going about it.

 

[Copingwithpods]

I think it all depends on your bioload. You can set up a 100g tank with 10lbs of rock if your goal is 2 fish and as many corals as will fit on said rock. Minimalistic aquascapes are now all the rage with much less than 1lbs per gallon. Take into account if you'll be going bare bottom or not and just add Marine pure bricks to your sump as needed. The 1lbs per gallon is a good base line but it is in no way a rule that must be followed.

 

[mfinn]

I used about 125lbs. in my 233.

 

[Bryan68]

I used 90 pounds Marco rock with marine pure balls and rubble in the sump for my Waterbox 180.5.

 

[X-37B]

Around 70lbs in my 120. 50% live 50% caribsea.
Its really up to you depending on what look you are going for.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

I used 90 pounds Marco rock with marine pure balls and rubble in the sump for my Waterbox 180.5.

How much marine pure are you using in sump?

 

[X-37B]

I also have 3 liters of eheim substrate pro in a mesh bag in my sump. I just shake it once a month. Helps nitrates as mine have never been over 2 with 4 feedings a day.

 

[dragon99]

I ordered 180lbs or caribsea for my WB7226,
. I still have 100bs, left. Weight is s very imprecise way to determine how much rock is needed.

Just build your aquascape to however you want it to look and call it good. If you want some added media for bacteria throw some ceramic media in the sump. I have media pure and siporax in mine.

 

[Bacon505]

Take the time and design your rockscape in ways that is original and pleases your view. Its a piece of furniture with artistic creativities in your home. Please Do consider the negative space in your tank for fishes and the estate for corals. Lb/gallon doesnt really apply anymore since we have a lot of tech gadget to make up for. And if you’re on the budget side then there are other means to help maintain the ecosystem in your reef. My current sps system is 160g with 40g sump and i only have roughly 50lb of tonga rocks. Hope this helps

 

[Bryan68]

How much marine pure are you using in sump?

I bought a 1 gallon box from BRS. Not really sure how many actual balls were in the box, but I used them all .

 

[AZMSGT]

Don't worry about the pound per gallon thing. Design the scape the way you want. Take your time, mortar sections together. Once you're happy with it look at it for a couple days. Adjust as needed.

Don't get hung up on Marine Pure blocks being your salvation. No need for them till the tank is cycled and you start adding livestock to it. If you see nitrates being higher than you want, add some bio media to the sump. It can be rock, marco gravel, blocks, balls or what ever you want. Just remember it could take 6 weeks for the new bio media to seed and start counter acting the nitrates. But odds are you won't reach this stage for 6mo to a year.

 

[dvlpr]

I just finished my aquascape and it ended up being 30kg (66lbs) of real reef rock (the man-made purple rock). This is for DT size 409l (108g). I could probably easily fit another 10-15kg without even noticing it

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

I just finished my aquascape and it ended up being 30kg (66lbs) of real reef rock (the man-made purple rock). This is for DT size 409l (108g). I could probably easily fit another 10-15kg without even noticing it

Pictures worth a thousand words

 

[dvlpr]

Pictures worth a thousand words

I'm still waiting for my tank, so this is all dry

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

I'm still waiting for my tank, so this is all dry

Thank you. Helps to visualize!

 

[lapin]

I used 800 lbs of dry marco rock in my 600g. Avg. 40lb chunks

 

[User1]

A bit of background why people are recommending a vision or plan regarding aquascape. Basically the issue is going to buying online without seeing the size of the rocks sent to you. They may, or may not, give a vague size indication but at the end of the day you don't know if it is a bunch of pebbles, softballs, baseballs, footballs, basketballs, or front yard landscaping sized rock(s). That is the crux of the problem.

I ordered 150 lbs of dry Pukani for my 210 gallon upgrade base. I moved over another 50 lbs or so of established rock. At the end of the day the 4 boxes of Pukani BRS set me - some of them are the size of front yard landscape rocks and I didn't request it. Not knocking BRS - just saying the sizes did vary and I had a couple pieces that are huge.

So back to the vision. Vision is tank type be it fish only or reef, then reef type such as soft corals, mixed, lps, sps, etc. After that are we talking wall to wall rocks, are you leaving some space for growth and fish, etc. Lastly - just as important - is how many fish and what is their size. They need to be able to move around the tank.

Bottom line - you are not throwing a bunch of rocks in the tank and hoping to make it work. You need a bit of planning or vision of the end state before you order. At least that is my recommendation. My situation 150 lbs Pukani was overkill...

 

[dvlpr]

I actually bought the rocks from my LFS and went back and forth a couple of times to return some pieces and get some others to adjust the final layout. This meant a bit more driving, but no waste