live rock in return section of sump

goochesfish · 12/02/2009, 12:57 AM

Is it bad to put live rock in the return section of the sump? I want to move rock out of the DT and into the sump but really have no room other than the last chamber.

nikon187 · 12/02/2009, 01:18 AM

As long as you can still get at the pump I think it would be fine

goochesfish · 12/02/2009, 01:23 AM

the pump is external

Frick-n-Frags · 12/02/2009, 01:25 AM

why do you want LR in your sump?

there is the question to ask.

as a place to store extra LR? sure why not.

as a means to reduce total NO3 in the water column? probably not.

as a means to complicate cleaning the sump? sure why not

i have a few pieces in the sump. mostly because they have sponges and a non-photo coral on them. do they take a bit of extra effort to clean around? yes they do.

grammatron · 12/02/2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frick-n-Frags

as a means to reduce total NO3 in the water column? probably not.

Why doesn't this work? I've got a few smaller pieces in my return, and I just assumed the rock did the same good for the tank down there as it would if it were in the DT.

goochesfish · 12/02/2009, 09:37 PM

Because I think I have too much in the DT but was afraid of decreasing the bacteria/ filtration if I just took it out all together

lordofthereef · 12/02/2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grammatron

Why doesn't this work? I've got a few smaller pieces in my return, and I just assumed the rock did the same good for the tank down there as it would if it were in the DT.

I have no idea why it was said that it wouldn't work. It works just as well as that in the display. I will say that live rock in the sump tends to be a great detritus trap though.

reefkeeperaxm · 12/02/2009, 10:10 PM

I though the only way you reduce No3 is with bacteria under anaerobic condition, like DSB. Just piling LR will give you some filtration but I don't think it will do anything to No3 levels.

marve467 · 12/03/2009, 11:50 AM

You can definetly throw it back there. It will give you some filtration and stabilility. If you can add a light and some macro and make it a fuge

LobsterOfJustice · 12/03/2009, 12:40 PM

No need for it in the sump... you can just take it out and sell it. If you have some in the display, you have enough.

TeePee · 12/03/2009, 12:50 PM

I have some LR stored in my sump as well and have never had any issues. Being in the last chamber before your return line though, I'd think your only concern would be that you'd want to ensure that it doesn't block the suction line of your external pump or have any pieces small enough that could accidently get into the suction line.

reeftivo · 12/03/2009, 01:03 PM

bag it and put it in the sump. works fine.

When you clean it just pull the bag out and shake the detritus off the bag in some tank water or attach a vinyl hose to powerhead in the rinse bucket and rinse it.

reeftivo · 12/03/2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefkeeperaxm

I though the only way you reduce No3 is with bacteria under anaerobic condition, like DSB. Just piling LR will give you some filtration but I don't think it will do anything to No3 levels.

Live rock has denitrifying bacteria in it. Just not at the levels of a DSB.

12/02/2009, 12:57 AM	#1
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	live rock in return section of sump Is it bad to put live rock in the return section of the sump? I want to move rock out of the DT and into the sump but really have no room other than the last chamber. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

12/02/2009, 01:18 AM	#2
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	As long as you can still get at the pump I think it would be fine __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

12/02/2009, 01:23 AM	#3
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	the pump is external __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

12/02/2009, 01:25 AM	#4
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	why do you want LR in your sump? there is the question to ask. as a place to store extra LR? sure why not. as a means to reduce total NO3 in the water column? probably not. as a means to complicate cleaning the sump? sure why not i have a few pieces in the sump. mostly because they have sponges and a non-photo coral on them. do they take a bit of extra effort to clean around? yes they do. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

12/02/2009, 09:37 PM	#6
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	Because I think I have too much in the DT but was afraid of decreasing the bacteria/ filtration if I just took it out all together __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

12/02/2009, 10:10 PM	#8
reefkeeperaxm Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 98	I though the only way you reduce No3 is with bacteria under anaerobic condition, like DSB. Just piling LR will give you some filtration but I don't think it will do anything to No3 levels.

12/03/2009, 11:50 AM	#9
marve467 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 57	You can definetly throw it back there. It will give you some filtration and stabilility. If you can add a light and some macro and make it a fuge

12/03/2009, 12:40 PM	#10
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	No need for it in the sump... you can just take it out and sell it. If you have some in the display, you have enough. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

12/03/2009, 12:50 PM	#11
TeePee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 83	I have some LR stored in my sump as well and have never had any issues. Being in the last chamber before your return line though, I'd think your only concern would be that you'd want to ensure that it doesn't block the suction line of your external pump or have any pieces small enough that could accidently get into the suction line.

12/03/2009, 01:03 PM	#12
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	bag it and put it in the sump. works fine. When you clean it just pull the bag out and shake the detritus off the bag in some tank water or attach a vinyl hose to powerhead in the rinse bucket and rinse it. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller