Rubble in Fuge/Sump

Dono · 11/25/2017, 01:31 PM

So I don't necessarily consider myself "new the the hobby", but I feel this is a pretty basic question I'm struggling with and may still be helpful for others entering into the hobby.

Question: I have an 8-10lb piece of base rock in my DT currently that is fully cured/covered in coralline, but because of space I'd like to remove it from my DT. The scenario I'm playing with is whether it will be worth breaking up into smaller pieces and sitting them in my center sump compartment on-top of some egg crate or just removing altogether?

I'd hate to lose the additional biological filtration, but I don't want the rock to end up as a detritus trap. Will keeping it elevated on egg crate help prevent them from becoming a nitrate factory? Should I add a small cuc to keep the rock 'clean'?

For reference, all I have in there currently is a nice ball of chaeto with a par38 bulb. I also use a 5gal shop vac to clean out the bottom once a month or so.

AlSimmons · 11/25/2017, 01:34 PM

Rock, efficient lighting and a good amount of flow is really all you need IME. (maybe a little elbow grease too) Addition by subtraction so to say. KISS.

Daddi0 · 11/25/2017, 01:41 PM

Great idea! I dont think you need to worry about lighting, or egg crate for that matter just pop it in.

ethuman · 11/25/2017, 01:47 PM

I have rumble in mine as well, just throw it in there and its fine. As far as breaking it up the more surface area the better

Dono · 11/25/2017, 01:56 PM

My intention was to hammer/chisel it down to manageable pieces, but this will create some low flow areas with enough rubble. Will I need to pull the rock out to clean occasionally or will it naturally do its thing?

Dono · 11/25/2017, 01:58 PM

Also, will having rock in the sump need a small bit of substrate?

Nick30G · 11/25/2017, 02:10 PM

You could get something like Pond Matrix or Marinepure Bio Blocks and put it in the sump also for the bacteria to colonize. I would put any extra rock you have in the sump. The more area for the beneficial bacteria the better IMO.

outy · 11/25/2017, 02:11 PM

keep it in one piece and no sand.

I like a BB sump so when I do water changes all the debris settled, is removed

ethuman · 11/25/2017, 02:56 PM

With my ruble in my sump i just occasionally move it around to stir it up and when i do water changes i just fill into the sump with a siphon when filling the tank back up and blow things around a bit

11/25/2017, 01:31 PM	#1
Dono Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 324	Rubble in Fuge/Sump So I don't necessarily consider myself "new the the hobby", but I feel this is a pretty basic question I'm struggling with and may still be helpful for others entering into the hobby. Question: I have an 8-10lb piece of base rock in my DT currently that is fully cured/covered in coralline, but because of space I'd like to remove it from my DT. The scenario I'm playing with is whether it will be worth breaking up into smaller pieces and sitting them in my center sump compartment on-top of some egg crate or just removing altogether? I'd hate to lose the additional biological filtration, but I don't want the rock to end up as a detritus trap. Will keeping it elevated on egg crate help prevent them from becoming a nitrate factory? Should I add a small cuc to keep the rock 'clean'? For reference, all I have in there currently is a nice ball of chaeto with a par38 bulb. I also use a 5gal shop vac to clean out the bottom once a month or so.

11/25/2017, 01:41 PM	#3
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Great idea! I dont think you need to worry about lighting, or egg crate for that matter just pop it in. __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater

11/25/2017, 01:34 PM	#2
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	Rock, efficient lighting and a good amount of flow is really all you need IME. (maybe a little elbow grease too) Addition by subtraction so to say. KISS.

11/25/2017, 01:47 PM	#4
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	I have rumble in mine as well, just throw it in there and its fine. As far as breaking it up the more surface area the better

11/25/2017, 01:56 PM	#5
Dono Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 324	My intention was to hammer/chisel it down to manageable pieces, but this will create some low flow areas with enough rubble. Will I need to pull the rock out to clean occasionally or will it naturally do its thing?

11/25/2017, 01:58 PM	#6
Dono Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 324	Also, will having rock in the sump need a small bit of substrate?

11/25/2017, 02:10 PM	#7
Nick30G Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 265	You could get something like Pond Matrix or Marinepure Bio Blocks and put it in the sump also for the bacteria to colonize. I would put any extra rock you have in the sump. The more area for the beneficial bacteria the better IMO.

11/25/2017, 02:11 PM	#8
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	keep it in one piece and no sand. I like a BB sump so when I do water changes all the debris settled, is removed

11/25/2017, 02:56 PM	#9
ethuman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 194	With my ruble in my sump i just occasionally move it around to stir it up and when i do water changes i just fill into the sump with a siphon when filling the tank back up and blow things around a bit