bioload questions

How much live rock is necessary to take over the biological filtration, instead of using a 300gph filter with charcoal pads and pre filter media? BTW for a 55 gallon tank.

would 30pounds be enough? or is it going to take over 50 pounds? i just cant afford more rock at the moment.

BTW there is only 3 damsels and 1 lawn mower blenny, 1 blue tuxedo urchin, a few frag's of Zoa's. 1 peppermint shrimp, 20 hermit crabs, 10 snails.

I'm running a CPR bak-pak II HOB skimmer. there is about 25 to 30Ibs of rock as of now.

 

Most of the posts I see here recommend 1 pound of rock per gallon. I use 1and1/2 pounds per gallon in my tanks and have had great luck.

 

If i buy another 30 pounds of DRY rock, should i run my regular charcoal filter untill the rock shows sign of life?

 

Do you currently have some established live rock in the tank? If so then you could add the dry rock to it, it should colonize rather quickly, just keep running that other filter for at least 2 weeks to a month.

look here for some great dry rock

or HERE

 

yeah the live rock is pretty well established. i ran the filters for almost a month maybe more, then hooked up the skimmer. so i will keep running my other filters untill i put more rock in. its just so damn expensive at the LFS, and online shipping makes me feel like i wanna scream rape. any one know of a good online place for dry rock?

 

Bacteria will colonize where ever the food is. Filter pads trap food, and bacteria colonize them. The bacteria does not care if it is floating in the water, sitting on a power cord, or laying on the sand. It will be where ever there is food.

The 30lbs you have now is plenty. What ever amount of bacteria you have now is solely dependent on how much food you have for them. You have a small bio load, therefore a small colony. Not that more rock is not better. It is, for a whole host of reasons, but don't flip out about it now.

Just start removing your filters. Bottom line is that they are not going to move while their food is still in the filter. There will be a transition. If you have a couple, do one a week. Don't get more live stock till you are done. At least that is what I would do.

I always see rock for sale on Craigs list in my area. Going rate on CL is $2/lb for LR. Also, google and join a local club. There are always folks rearranging their stuff, or have dry rock available. I suport my LFS, but I like deals as much as the next guy.

 

yeah, the lfs around my place wants more than $10 a pound. and it has no Coraline at all, looks like dry rock thrown in a tub of water. thanks for all the info!