Work Out Your Rock Needs
Enter your display volume and we'll work out how much rock to scape with – based on CaribSea's published rock-to-volume ratio.
Based on CaribSea's published ratio: roughly 0.08–0.12 kg of rock per litre of display volume (one 18.14 kg box per 40–60 US gallons). Heavier scapes with tall pinnacle features can sit above this range.
FAQ
How much rock do I need for my tank?
Enter your display volume above – it's built on CaribSea's own published guidance of one 18.14 kg box per 40–60 US gallons, which works out to roughly 0.08–0.12 kg of rock per litre.
Should I use dry rock or live rock?
Dry rock like CaribSea LifeRock needs no curing and carries no die-off risk – it's infused with living spored bacteria that activate once it's in saltwater, giving your cycle a head start without the ammonia spike of true live rock. It still needs a full nitrogen cycle before livestock goes in; the rock seeds the cycle, it doesn't skip it.
Do I need feature pieces as well as base rock?
For tanks under about 150–200 L, a single tall feature piece is often enough as a focal point. Larger tanks generally want base rock to fill out the structure plus one or two feature pieces set at different heights – see the product page for sizing guidance by tank volume.
Will rock affect my water chemistry?
Yes – aragonite-based rock like LifeRock raises pH and alkalinity, which is exactly what a marine or reef tank wants. It's not suitable for soft-water freshwater setups such as planted, blackwater or shrimp tanks.
Shop Reef Rock
Ratio above is CaribSea's own published figure. Ask our team in-store about base rock and assortment boxes to fill out a larger scape.