question about live rock

[texastrigger]

What is the difference between the different types of live rock? I know there is some that come from florida, tonga, and fiji, etc but what difference does it make inside the tank? Why is one better than the other? I am looking at a map and Tonga is only a couple hundred miles from Fiji. I can't imagine that a couple hundred miles would account for any changes in the type of rock? But I could be completely wrong. Thanks for the input.

[gregoryalln]

where it is from is actually very important.
Tonga - has alot of branches like a tree. this make's agood top off rock
figi - has more shape, and alot of good porus hole's,is lighter, so more rock for your money lot's of crevices
florida/carribean - is more rounder, and heavier, but because it is so close it has the best critter's on it and you dont get as much die off

[texastrigger]

I see! When you say critters what do you mean. I was under the impression that live rock was alive with bacteria and plankton size organisms. Is there more than that to live rock? Also........how do you secure the live rock. I am afraid of this stuff falling on top of my fish. Is that a stupid fear or should I use some sort of silcone glue to keep it down? Thanks again for all the information!

[gregoryalln]

other critter's like pods, small clam,s, urchin's, bristle worms, starfish, small crab's etc

you have the right to be worried about it falling, stacking rock takes alot of work and pratice. you can glue in but i dont recommend it. somepeople use acyrlic rods and drill the rock. this is a better way, using glue wont let you take it apart if you dont like it, or want to move it. i dont use anything, and just stack iti use small rock's on the bottom, then stack bigger rock's on top here are some stacking pics i will rephotograph the upstairs tank. it has alot more arch's, and is better stacked, but because og the sun, the glass is getting a bad glare and the pics arent turning out

[gregoryalln]

more, 2 are of the upstair's, in the one you can see how i used the wall for some support.dont be afraid to use the glass. also give each rock a firm shake to make sure it dosent collapse, you might have to use a couple rock's intertwined for support.

[texastrigger]

wow........thats a nice looking tank! Thanks for the pictures! I looks so sturdy. Hard to beleive that its just stacked without support. I still have a while before I get the rock. I think it will seem safer once I have it in front of me. Thanks again

[gregoryalln]

yeah it will, think of it like a jigsaw puzzle, thats the best way to look at it

[texastrigger]

How much live rock should I use in a FOWLR tank. I am wanting to get larger, more aggressive fish like triggers, puffers, etc. I read somewhere a pound and a half for every gallon but I think that was more for a reef setup. I assume these fish want less rock and more swimming room. What would a decent amount be? Also, what about live sand? is that neccessary or just a bonus. And how much of that is needed? I am going to guess that you dont need to fill the bottom of your tank with a thousand dollars worth of sand. Do you mix the livesand with cheapo sand or what?

Thanks again

[gregoryalln]

when i did FOWLR i used regular sand, not live. i did 1 pound of rock per gallon, and then ended up adding a lil more. mine worked really good doing it this way. you still need alot of live rock, because it has to do your filtering for you, and is very important