Live Rock in Sump

I removed the bioballs from my sump and am putting live rock in to replace it.

Question is I can only put a small amount in because the water level isn't very high......is it still ok to put the live rock in and just have the water trickle over it (like what would happen to the bioballs). Will the 'good' bacteria still grow in the rock?

Thanks!

 

It needs to be IN water not being trickled over..live rock needs flow and water to stay alive and light for coraline...I would make sure its concealed by water.

 

Keep the rock covered with water and also keep in mind that detritus can still build up in the LR and break down into nitrate, so even using LR you will need to keep it cleaned.

 

Thanks Zo....I was thinking that if the bacteria lived on the bioballs via trickle feed and without light, then it would work for the rock as well.

 

it might do, but IMO you wont have achieved anything doing it that way

if your only going to offering surface area of the rock with water trickling over it, then your going to have highly oxygentated water on the rock and thus only encourage the same bacteria types as you had with the bio balls

to get the benefit from live rock, you need it submerged so it will then have real estate for the non oxygen requiring bacteria , which then process the final stage of Nitrate into nitrogen gas

rock rubble / small peices of live rock (smash larger pieces if required)
would IMO be a better option



Steve