bioballs replaced with live rock, lights needed?

jessp · 08/31/2006, 06:21 PM

when my bioballs are finally replaced with live rock, do i need to light the rocks or will they function w/o lights?

bertoni · 08/31/2006, 06:41 PM

The live rock will be fine without light. The filtration doesn't depend on light, ignoring the effects of coralline coverage.

nmprisons · 08/31/2006, 06:45 PM

it is the bacteria growing on and in the rocks that are the filters. the bacteria, to my knowledge, do not need light to survive (the bacteria living within the rock, obviously, do not).

Shagsbeard · 08/31/2006, 06:54 PM

Wouldn't the flow be too high to support the anaerobic bacteria that we're talking about if you placed live rock in say a canister filter or in the constricted area of your sump where the bioballs used to be? I bet you'ld still have the problem of an over production of nitrate that is associated with these filters. They're great at ellimination of nitrite. But to get rid of nitrate you need that oxygen deprived areas like occurs in a deep sand bed, or deep within the live rock in a tank.

At least that's my understanding of it all. I could be mistaken.

jessp · 08/31/2006, 06:59 PM

I dont have a problem with nitrates at this time, however 'm trying to be a bit proactive. i do have deep sand bed and about 40 lbs of rock in my 37 gal aga. good question though would the flow be too high? I was thinking of having the overflow tube run through a filter sock then into the sump onto the rocks.

bertoni · 08/31/2006, 07:01 PM

I don't know how the flow would affect the live rock, but I'm not sure it'd affect denitrification. That might be done by a microbial film, for example. You could always try it and see whether any problems develop.

08/31/2006, 06:21 PM	#1
jessp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 2,747	bioballs replaced with live rock, lights needed? when my bioballs are finally replaced with live rock, do i need to light the rocks or will they function w/o lights?

08/31/2006, 06:41 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The live rock will be fine without light. The filtration doesn't depend on light, ignoring the effects of coralline coverage. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/31/2006, 06:45 PM	#3
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	it is the bacteria growing on and in the rocks that are the filters. the bacteria, to my knowledge, do not need light to survive (the bacteria living within the rock, obviously, do not). __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

08/31/2006, 06:59 PM	#5
jessp Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami Posts: 2,747	I dont have a problem with nitrates at this time, however 'm trying to be a bit proactive. i do have deep sand bed and about 40 lbs of rock in my 37 gal aga. good question though would the flow be too high? I was thinking of having the overflow tube run through a filter sock then into the sump onto the rocks. __________________ i'm jess and i'm an addict! Current Tank Info: No tank at this time :(

08/31/2006, 07:01 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't know how the flow would affect the live rock, but I'm not sure it'd affect denitrification. That might be done by a microbial film, for example. You could always try it and see whether any problems develop. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/31/2006, 06:54 PM	#4
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Wouldn't the flow be too high to support the anaerobic bacteria that we're talking about if you placed live rock in say a canister filter or in the constricted area of your sump where the bioballs used to be? I bet you'ld still have the problem of an over production of nitrate that is associated with these filters. They're great at ellimination of nitrite. But to get rid of nitrate you need that oxygen deprived areas like occurs in a deep sand bed, or deep within the live rock in a tank. At least that's my understanding of it all. I could be mistaken.