sump

[RGibson]

I have a 40 gal sump how much live rock can i keep in it?

 

[-=dieseldave=-]

40 gallons including air space.
























It depends on the size of the area that you want to keep live rock in, and the level you wish to keep you water at in the sump.

 

[RGibson]

40 gal of water + air

 

[-=dieseldave=-]

the old rule of thumb is 1.5lbs-2lbs of live rock per gallon. I think this would be a good start.

 

[Scooterman]

In a sump, just make sure you have enough water so your pump won't suck air & everything like heaters will work, then add LR to help if desired, just make sure to keep it clean because it will trap lots of detritus..

 

[Anthony Calfo]

I almost never recommend live rock in the sump... it generally gets ignored/neglected and serves only to trap detritus. Do consider or tell us why you think you need live rock in the sump and what if any merits it has there?

Anth-

 

[RGibson]

the reef tank has been running for about 9 years and every year i add 1 med size live rock,put the old one in the sump.Ever 6 mos the rock is taken out put in a tank of salt water for a week with lots of water flow to clean it up.The rock is used to mount new corals on. Hope you doing well Anthony.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

very nice to see you Ralph

 

[vikubz]

Anthony, re LR in sump.

I believe the idea is to provide additonal biological filtration to supplement the display tank. I've seen this recommended many times on the WetwebMedia site.

It is also meant to serve as a refugium in some cases.


Mark

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Mark... that doesn't change the fact that it may be done wrong for years or that the info you are reading is dated (years old advice) It will be a handicap to water flow, most likely will accumulate sediments and increase DO load excessively, and is not necessarily doing more good than harm.

Modern reefers rather need solids to stay in suspension longer for their filter feeders (corals, sponges, feather worms, etc) health and wellness... not sinking or being converted to nitrate.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Modern reefers rather need solids to stay in suspension longer for their filter feeders (corals, sponges, feather worms, etc) health and wellness... not sinking or being converted to nitrate.

So my 100 micron filter sock on the return line into the sump is not needed, and is removing nutrients that the corals could utilize? If you say so, it goes!
TIA
Mike

 

[ronj]

i would like to know that also...i want to add a filter sock, but not if it is taking all of the food for my corals!

 

[Krish]

Filter socks are good for tanks without corals IMO or very few corals that cannot use up the amount of ditritus that is being produced in a tank which can become a problem if allowed to settle. Ever got a powerhead and put it in your hand and blew off your rocks and everything settling underneath it in the tank? If not, try it (or a turkey baster) and watch how your corals react! They will go crazy because they feed off of it. If you run a skimmer, filter sock etc all at once, chances are you'll spend more un-necessary money trying to feed "some" corals as a result. It's sort of a toss up...Do you try and please your corals or do what is taught and try and remove all ditritus from your system before it has a chance to degrade water quality? In my case, I said no filter socks and rely on well placed high flow (about 104x over minus whatever headloss) to keep detritus in suspension for my corals to feed on and what gets pass them, my skimmer gets a shot at. What both miss, I deal with when doing a water change every week. My detritus will only settle in certain parts of my sump, so I just vaccum it out with my water changes. Just my 2 cents

 

[Anthony Calfo]

quite true... its not a matter of good or bad for filter socks. And we/I must make presumptions when chatting with folks.

If I understand/believe the question to be a matter of filter socks for heavy bioloads (fish tanks) by aquarists that will rince/swap those filter socks near dailys... then I will say filter socks are excellent.

But if the circumstance is a reef aquarium and/or with aquarists that will not change/clean those filter socks at least 3-5 times weekly... then I will say that filter socks are not recommended (they will rob filter feeders or food and contribute to inccreasing DOs over time and overall faster degradation of water quality)

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Thanks Krish and Anthony
I have been swapping mine out every 3 days yet very few small fish. Took out the sponges and sock, the corals and polyps all blossomed! Water particulate level is clearing back up. Now down to just rock and skimmer, Berlin method here we go

 

[Krish]

LOL...I don't even use prefilter sponges on any of my pumps! Too many things that can trap detritus and cause water quality issues if not taken care of promptly so I don't use anything anywhere. I have to clean my pumps a bit more often than if I had the sponges on, but I don't mind. My approach has been the first ever that has allowed me to always read un-detectble nitrate levels etc in any of my tanks so far. It's all about consistency though

 

[vikubz]

Anthony, I think your take on LR is correct, or at least in my case. I had a DSB in my sump, but it was not properly maintained and became a detritus trap.
I removed that and left LR, but I saw that appeared to still be catching a lot of detritus, so I moved it to the display tank.

Now I'm running a RDSB and have nothing in my sump but equipment and water.

 

[Anthony Calfo]

accumulated detritus (neglected sponges, prefilters... trapped in rock displays built against the glass... in sumps, et cetera) are really underestimated in how much (badly) they contribute to steadily declining water quality over time. Really a big issue!

 

[Rod Buehler]

I like to keep live rock in my sumps (un-lit) Some of the sponge growth is amazing if you leave it be. I believe in biodiversity, and putting rock in a dark sump creates another niche for critters. I dont like it packed in tightly, but I definitely like it there.