Has anyone tried putting liverock in the sump compartment meant for bioballs?

[cherubfish pair]

Has anyone tried putting liverock in the sump compartment meant for bioballs?

My liverock is shedding really bad. Will the 'rain' cure the rock from 'shedding'?

[gary1328]

Absolutely, using live rock is much better than bio-balls. I eliminated all of my bioballs and have a filter sock on my return going into Live rock and live rock rubble, then to my skimmer.

[chrisd1009]

I don't use LR or bioballs. Filter socks. Easy to clean and great for nutrient export. Eventually those rocks will be loaded with nitrates and phosphates from being a front line of surface skimmed water.

[old salty]

I have about 30 lbs of nano rock in my fuge. It's live now, but was base rock when I bought it.

[icepick5587]

Definitely a good idea to do that, that's what I plan to do next time I get my hands on some live rock.

[Snakebyt]

my 55 gallon sump has tons of small pieces of LR and rubble

[wanabeeReeFeR]

hmmm i will put some good size chunks into the botom of my reefkeeper. sounds like a good idea.

[cherubfish pair]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8747395#post8747395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the cattleman
Has anyone tried putting liverock in the sump compartment meant for bioballs?
I mean under a drip tray...the tray will have a wet/dry effect on the rock and pods will not be able to live there.

[cherubfish pair]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8747899#post8747899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by old salty
I have about 30 lbs of nano rock in my fuge. It's live now, but was base rock when I bought it.
How long did it take to liven-up the base rock, is there coralline algae on it, and do you have a light on it?

[old salty]

It took a few weeks to get covered; actually only the areas that receive light get coralline. I have a floodlight over my fuge, so the rock does get some light; the stuff at the bottom doesn't. As far as how long it took to get bacteria growing on it, I haven't a clue (too small to see!!)

Base rock seems to get life on it in a short period of time; my tank has a few pieces and 6 months later, you couldn't tell the difference.

[volunteerguy]

I have lr rubble in place of my bio balls...helped to bring my nitrates down...I am considering eliminating them completely and going with a filter sock.

[cherubfish pair]

I think I'll try a few pieces when I tear down my tank to put in a closed loop. Don't know what to do as far as lighting in the stand.

[cherubfish pair]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8747395#post8747395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by the cattleman
Has anyone tried putting liverock in the sump compartment meant for bioballs?

My liverock is shedding really bad. Will the 'rain' cure the rock from 'shedding'?

It seems like nobody understands the question. NOT with openness above the sump but WITH the drip plate above. Suspended above. Suspended from below and above. In the air just like bioballs.

[cherubfish pair]

Finally.... Got enough courage to try it. Here's the rock in the sump:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/mkp59923/rockinsump.jpg

[cherubfish pair]

See the results of this thread continued on this thread:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1011802

[zacharytrimble]

live rocks are much better than bio balls...some rubble in your trickle is amazing...but I did away with trickle filter....went to skimmer and fuge...keeps nitrates down better

[sumpinhabitant]

LR is way better than bio balls

[cherubfish pair]

If the lr has been sitting in a bucket of water with no circulation for awhile and stinks, will it foul the display tank water when put in the sump?

[WinkeyWoneye]

If it stinks....than it is no longer LR my friend. You now have dead rock aka base rock. If you add it all to the sump/tank at once, than it most certainly will foul up the tank. It is still usable rock, just needs to be added slowly to avoid any ammonia spikes. When I say slowly I mean like only add one or two pieces every couple weeks, to minimize on any spikes while those pieces cure.
HTH ;)

[mhurley]

Thread moved at starter's request.