Is there a better method or design to use LR?

[Edward Smith]

Everytime I see a sump full of live rock I always think "WOW, what alot of expesive matrial for limited surface area for denitrification."

Has somone developed or tested a method to maximize the use of live rock.

I.e. Using LR rubble in a cannister filter or a reactor?

I can't imagine this topic is new, but I can't find a well developed discussion on methods to maximize the functionality of LR. If you have a link, please share.

Thanks,

[pompeyjohn]

Great question. I am *very* keen to hear responses to this.

[Elvishfrost]

Edward are you talking about LR rubble in the sump, or large chunks of LR?

[Edward Smith]

Has somone developed or tested a method to maximize the use of live rock (or rubble).

For example: Using LR or rubble in a cannister filter or a reactor?

When I look at traditional sumps with LR (or rubble) the amount of water that makes contact with the rock seems very random and ineffecient, even with good flow. I wonder if a method has been developed for a consitent volume of water to make contact with the LR or rubble to maximize it's denitrification capacity.

[sunil6784]

How about putting a small powerhead in the sump? That may make more effective use of the surfaces of the rock..

[Stanley-Reefer]

Is that not the same premise as waterflow in the display that has live rock/sand?

[torero500]

A more efficient live rock chamber/canister just sounds like a canister style wet/dry trickle filter to me, just with live rock chunks instead of plastic balls.

[Edward Smith]

Originally Posted by torero500

A more efficient live rock chamber/canister just sounds like a canister style wet/dry trickle filter to me, just with live rock chunks instead of plastic balls.

That's kinda of what I'm thinking, except it wouldn't be a wet/dry, because it stays wet (submerged).

So...back to the question......

Any proven design ideas or links to the topic being covered somewhere else?

[davjbeas]

Maxi flow modded maxi jet 1200 in the sump gives more circulation for the live rock, also keeps detritus in suspension for the protein skimmer to remove.

D

[Edward Smith]

Originally Posted by davjbeas

Maxi flow modded maxi jet 1200 in the sump gives more circulation for the live rock, also keeps detritus in suspension for the protein skimmer to remove.

D

Thanks



Any proven design ideas or links to the topic being covered somewhere else?

[Canadian Reefer]

I used dry rock in my sump. It wasnt expensive at all. When my kids wanted little reefs in their bedroom it was a plus cuz I just yanked out some rock out of my fuge and they had a cycled bio filter ready for livestock. Their aquariums are very diverse because of this and I just added more dry base rock to my sump. I think it was a very cheap filter compared to cannisters and bioballs ect.

[shrimphead]

what about those denitraters which is basically a sealed container of which has an inlet and an outlet on the top of the container the inlet then has a long pipe which curls around in hoops inside the container going right to the bottom of the container, this is done to eliminate any oxygen, then the de oxidised water (don't think thats a real word but you know what i mean) runs through the media which could be your liverock rumble and out the outlet at the top.

[shrimphead]

it's just a place to cultivate anaerobic bacteria which eat up the nitrates

[cabezon2469]

Originally Posted by shrimphead

what about those denitraters which is basically a sealed container of which has an inlet and an outlet on the top of the container the inlet then has a long pipe which curls around in hoops inside the container going right to the bottom of the container, this is done to eliminate any oxygen, then the de oxidised water (don't think thats a real word but you know what i mean) runs through the media which could be your liverock rumble and out the outlet at the top.

I have one of those. I think it works, as my chaeto won't grow.

the LR works not because of surface area, but the ability to have anaerobic centers.