Converting from reef to fish only

[mr.r8rfan]

I currently have a good 200 lbs of live rock with a 3" sand bed and for my filtration I have two sumps. In the first sump I have two socks where the water drains in to then trough the first sump with some live rock and a skimmer then in to the scound sump that is filled with live rock as well. My question is, if I want to get rid of the LR in the show tank do I need to add bio balls? If so can I add those in to the filter socks? Or can I leave it the way it is with LR in both sumps only?

[reefworm]

no need to add bio balls, leaving as is should be fine as you've got lots of surface area with the sand and LR in the sumps. Granted, you're loosing the surface area of the display rock, but unless you're really loaded with fish you should be fine. If not and you plan to add more, do it gradually.

[bertoni]

How much live rock will be in the system if you clean out the show tank, and how what fish do you intend to keep?