How much rock for 55g

[edc_aquarium]

How much rock should I have for my 55 gallon tank?

 

[._Z_.]

Do you have a type of rock you want to use?

 

[edc_aquarium]

Do you have a type of rock you want to use?

I'm going to use dry rock

 

[AdamNC]

A general rule is 1-2 lbs per gallon. Take it for what it’s worth, I tried that and ended up removing a few of the small pieces I had bought.

 

[edc_aquarium]

A general rule is 1-2 lbs per gallon. Take it for what it’s worth, I tried that and ended up removing a few of the small pieces I had bought.

I'm trying to keep it cheap because I really don't want to spend 50-60 dollars on rock

 

[savetheocean]

I'm trying to keep it cheap because I really don't want to spend 50-60 dollars on rock

Your rock is something you will always be looking at. I suggest you choose wisely even if its not cheap.

 

[Somuchflo99]

Your rock makes the tank I spent 100 dollars on mine for a 20 gal tank at almost 5 dollars a lb it really pays for itself

 

[madweazl]

If it's the typical 55g (48x13x21), you can easily get away with 30lbs if you make a nice open structure. 55 gallons are tough because they're so narrow. Stick to smaller pieces and use epoxy to form a nice open aquascape.

 

[Bob3655]

Not to sound like a turd but you're going to spend way more than $50-60 bucks for enough rock for a 55 gallon. I just spent $300 on rock for setting my 50 gallon back up, and I got a super fat discount. Your live rock is going to be one of your lifelines of your tank, its not something you want to cheap out on, especially during start up. If you just keep adding more and more later down the road you're going to face other issues and frustrations versus doing it all now. If you don't have the cash its worth it waiting a few more months before starting up if you need to. Rushing start up is not something you want to do. You might not notice any downsides immediately, but give it a few months and you're going to drive yourself crazy when all of your corals start closing up and you realize you're pushing over 80ppm nitrates and cant get it lower even with big water changes.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

I'm trying to keep it cheap because I really don't want to spend 50-60 dollars on rock

With your above statement then this hobby is not for you period, and this hobby is not a cheap hobby.

 

[Legal Reefer]

I spent $100.00 on live rock for my 7.5 gallon nano. For the biological filtration it provides my tank I feel it saves me money in the long run. I've heard of some problems with using certain types of dry rock. If your looking for something lighter weight that will give you more bang for your buck check out pukani dry rock. It looks to be good size rocks at a lighter weight. Just do your research before you decide. My 7.5 gallon is a budget build, but I couldn't

scrimp on the rock. The rock is the biggest expense in my tank build.

 

[Kinettik]

I spent $200 on rock for my nano, and building a 50 cube now with another $200 in rock.

While you can do things on a budget, this hobby is expensive to do it right, IMO.

 

[madweazl]

30lbs of BRS reef saver dry rock would run $69.

 

[cgdcinc]

And so the spending begins![emoji23] Check out @reefcleaners.org. I think it was about 30 bucks for 15 pounds. It’s clean and cured.

 

[J604]

With your above statement then this hobby is not for you period, and this hobby is not a cheap hobby.

It isn't cheap but it is do able. Wait for sales, or wait for a person quitting the hobby.


Responses like that should be kept to a minimum, period.

 

[J604]

He is talking about dry rock not live rock if I read the question correctly...

 

[Kinettik]

He is talking about dry rock not live rock if I read the question correctly...

Being new to the hobby makes dry rock a worse option, IMO. Also, while purchasing the rock may be cheaper, curing the rock not only raises that cost but the amount of time it takes to effectively start the cycling process, which has to have some offsetting value.

 

[PNWReefer17]

How much rock should I have for my 55 gallon tank?

Do understand that there are several great points made here and they are all correct. You can do a nice rock setup on a budget (it really is possible) if you are willing to hunt around. I set up a 30 gallon nano and I have somewhere between 40 lbs or so of live rock in it and I was able to find it for $3 a lb. I'm working on a 75 gallon right now and have found another 40 lbs or so for $2.50 a lb. My point is, deals are out there. Check those Craigslist ads or local Facebook groups. You'd be surprised with what you can find. Happy hunting!

 

[edc_aquarium]

Do understand that there are several great points made here and they are all correct. You can do a nice rock setup on a budget (it really is possible) if you are willing to hunt around. I set up a 30 gallon nano and I have somewhere between 40 lbs or so of live rock in it and I was able to find it for $3 a lb. I'm working on a 75 gallon right now and have found another 40 lbs or so for $2.50 a lb. My point is, deals are out there. Check those Craigslist ads or local Facebook groups. You'd be surprised with what you can find. Happy hunting!

I've been looking all over the place and I found someone that is selling a whole bin of dry rock it's about 60 pounds of it for 25$

 

[Daltrey]

I've been looking all over the place and I found someone that is selling a whole bin of dry rock it's about 60 pounds of it for 25$

I wouldn't wait around on buying that if I was you. Also you can grab 40 lbs off amazon right now in there warehouse deal for $40.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/ol/B00F8DVAO4/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=all