does live rock need light?

[rick12]

i was thinking of adding more lr to my sump. does it need light or will it still be effective as a filter?

[TheOtherReefer]

You can add more rock to the sump. It will still retain most if not all of the beneficial bacteria that help in nutrient export.

[Sk8r]

A fuge with algae in it [cheato] with a 24/7 light will be good at grabbing algae-producing phosphates so it doesn't produce algae in your tank---but you need enough room for it to grow and enough area that can be fairly brightly lit. If you have only a small unlight-able space, go for just the live rock and it will help with your nitrates, etc.

[rick12]

i have a 40g display and 2sumps--15g unlit that holds the skimmer which flows to a 20g that holds my cheato (its lit with a fl). i was thinking of adding more lr to the unlit sump.

[tcilmo]

It should still be affective with out the light, it will hold bacteria still.

[tmz]

The bacteria don't care much about the light. The coraline will likely die off.You may grow some filter feeders in there, particulary sponges.Pods also don't care about the light although they do like phyto plankton for food.

[rick12]

sound like the lr will do nicely in the sump!

[Acillaton]

It will be ok and it will work as a filter too. But I recommend what sk8r said. With a cheato and good light...much better effect.