Do you need to have
LR in the tank b/c that stuff is very expensive at my
LFS. And I'm not about to spend 800.00 on 100 pounds of
LR.
Not Required but Highly recommended.. I do know that some ppl use base rock instead of all
LR to make things cheaper..
BTW ordering
LR online will make things much cheaper...
www.liverocks.com is a good place.. about $150.00 shipped per 40lbs... With a 90gal tank though i would recommend about 1.5 to 2 X the volume so 150 to 180lbs of
LR.. It really adds to the tank with live creatures and such.. Ordering online also helps you get more creatures on your
LR as
LFS sort thru and take the good creatures out..
Next I have read posts about Reef tanks and am wondering the difference between a Reef tank and a regular S/W tank
Reef tanks have
LR along with corals, Inverts, More expensive Lighting about 3-5wpg, and sometimes anemones... More of a natural Feel..
Can you do a quicker fishless cycle by adding straight ammonia to the water like you can with F/W
I have heard of ppl doing this as it is a better method than cycling with Fish.. If you buy
LR online you can usually add the
LR to the tank and it produces ammonia to start the cycle..
To also note..
LR is a bit expensive but well worth it.. I have a 55gal tank with 100lbs of
LR in it and to think what it was without the
LR is pretty sad.. It really made the tank... Check around online as
LR seems to be much cheaper online than anywhere else.. You may get "bad" creatures such as Mantis Shrimp but thats what makes it more fun...
www.liveaquaria.com has
LR for like $99.00 for 45lbs plus shipping.. total is around 150.00 as well..
www.Liverocks.com seemed tome to have to better rock though... More life on it...
HTH,
James