How Much Rock Weight Can 45 Gallon Hold excluding sand & water

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Steve34, Oct 30, 2014.

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  1. Steve34

    Steve34 Feather Star

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    Condensing a couple tanks down and wanted to move some of the rock from one into the other. My question is how much rock can a 45 gallon tank safely hold not counting sand and water?

    I've seen videos indicating the tank can't hold enough rock to make the bottom break (assuming no drops). is that accurate?

    Help a concerned hobbyist if you would.
     
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  3. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    Put a light defuser in and the weight will be dispersed, should not be a problem to fill it with rock
     
  4. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    Put a light defuser in and the weight will be dispersed, should not be a problem to fill it with rock
     
  5. Steve34

    Steve34 Feather Star

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    I have a 3 inch sandbed all the rock are on. Won't that work the same to disperse the weight? I'm worried about the poundage of the rock on top, I would imagine there are 200 pounds in there.
     
  6. Billme

    Billme Eyelash Blennie

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    The sand may diffuse to some degree but I'd be concerned not putting the rock in contact with the bottom. Especially if you are putting allot of rock. As the rock settles over time, you could have a rock fall. Best to put the first layer on the bottom, or as midnight stated, on a diffuser. For what it's worth, I have a 40b nearly filled to the top and it's been up for over a year. Some of the weight of the rock is displaced by water(it effectively gets lighter in water).
     
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  7. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Yes to most all of that.

    The tank will hold what you put in it, especially with water as even a rock has some bouyancy, expecially Reef Rock which is quite pourous.
     
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  9. Midnight_Madman

    Midnight_Madman Montipora Digitata

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    I would put the light diffuser in, why not be safe then sorry?
     
  10. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    I didn't see if you said, is the bottom of the tank in question have a sticker that says
    something like 'Tempered Glass- do not drill' ? If so, while it can break, it's alot stronger.

    Most tanks, not all, come with a tempered bottom.

    In fact that's how I like all my bottoms- tempered!
     
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  11. dienerman

    dienerman Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    We just keep finding out more anymore about you every day Todd! LOL :D
     
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  12. Steve34

    Steve34 Feather Star

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    The reason why I'm not putting the diffuser in is that the tank is established and I would have to remove a deep sand bed and probably 125+ pounds of rock in order to put it in. I fear really disturbing the overall tank in a massive way.