Live Rock and sand or bare?

bustedbikes · 10/30/2008, 12:16 AM

I have an aquapod 24 with a aquaclear 70 for pump much more gph, no filter media used bare I think that's like a Berlin method. Now would it be better bare?

dots · 10/30/2008, 04:53 AM

It depends on what you are planning on stocking it with.

With such a small volume, parameters have been equaled to balancing a pizza box on your finger......always moving back and forth.

As well, they commonly are overstocked, and less than stellar husbandry can make a rather "nutrient rich" enviroment.

A BB tank could be cleaner, with better water quality, longer.....and without a skimmer stripping the water more.......it may balance out.

Another added plus, would be the water volume recovered.

However, there is a lot to be said for biological diversity and the other benifits of a SSB in such a system.

It goes back to what you plan to keep in the sucker.

IslandCrow · 10/30/2008, 08:13 AM

I'm a little confused about what you're asking. Are you asking whether you should add something to your filter, have sand in your tank, live rock in your tank, live rock in your filter, or what? Could you elaborate. Of course, dots seems to understand, so maybe I just don't speak California. I do get confused easily.

10/30/2008, 12:16 AM	#1
bustedbikes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Glendale,Ca Posts: 231	Live Rock and sand or bare? I have an aquapod 24 with a aquaclear 70 for pump much more gph, no filter media used bare I think that's like a Berlin method. Now would it be better bare? __________________ mike Current Tank Info: 60 acrylic,Mh 400watts20k,220watt vho actinics,sump,skimmer,flow,live rock ,acro's

10/30/2008, 04:53 AM	#2
dots Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 6,258	It depends on what you are planning on stocking it with. With such a small volume, parameters have been equaled to balancing a pizza box on your finger......always moving back and forth. As well, they commonly are overstocked, and less than stellar husbandry can make a rather "nutrient rich" enviroment. A BB tank could be cleaner, with better water quality, longer.....and without a skimmer stripping the water more.......it may balance out. Another added plus, would be the water volume recovered. However, there is a lot to be said for biological diversity and the other benifits of a SSB in such a system. It goes back to what you plan to keep in the sucker. __________________ ~Doug

10/30/2008, 08:13 AM	#3
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'm a little confused about what you're asking. Are you asking whether you should add something to your filter, have sand in your tank, live rock in your tank, live rock in your filter, or what? Could you elaborate. Of course, dots seems to understand, so maybe I just don't speak California. I do get confused easily. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?