Live rock rubble

So, Tangster, you would not recommend removing the rings? How about using the rubble in conjunction with? Or is that a mute point?

I am simply looking for the best for my tank. I know that every is going to have different ideas. I am here to learn what others have done trial and error and have found what works for them. Then to incorporate what I believe will work for me.

 

No I would not remove the rings I'd bet 3 rings have as much surface area then a rock the size of a football . They have so many little porous holes and all like a Bio ball , People get confused about bio media and what bacteria do what and what environment is needed for each type f bacteria . I'd leave the rings

Tell me what you'd expect from a few pebbles over a few ceramic rings ? And I'd tell anyone who has a wet/dry to leave the ball in there or fill it with the ceramic rings a bit $$$$$ But also far better then the boulders . The rocks will never provide what the others will ..

 

I am always amazed when people say ditch the bio-balls when every aquarium I visit uses some form of media that is the equivalent of what we call Bio-balls. This media comes in all shapes, sizes and colors all desigened to do the same thing.

This is one response a fellow reefer gave me that by the way has a fantastic tank and has been in the hobby for some time:

Bioballs can do a good job at converting waste to nitrate, but they don't contain anaerobic bacteria which break the nitrate down even farther into gases that evaporate from your system. Live Rock does contain anaerobic areas. From what many of us have learned through the years is that no matter how good of job you do at keeping your bioballs clean, it can be difficult to keep nitrates down to undetectable levels when using bioballs, even if you have a ton of LR. Often when the bioballs get removed (which would mean less filtration), the nitrate levels drop. Why would removing filtration cause the water parameters to improve? The most common thought amongst reef keepers that have been in this hobby for several plus years is that bioballs may be too efficient at converting waste to nitrates. Yes, I know that it sounds strange that they can be too efficient and that makes them cause problems. The reason why people think that they may be too efficient is because they a) convert waste to nitrates in mass quantities in areas away from anaerobic areas, and b) they convert the waste to nitrates faster than the LR or DSB can break down the nitrates into gases. LR and sand beds on the other hand don't break down the waste as quickly so whatever nitrates are produced can be converted to nitrogen gas quickly. Having plenty of LR, plus a good skimmer, should easily be able to keep a tank with no detectable ammonia, nitrite, or nitraterts.

 

I prefer the benefits of the oxygen the bio balls help create in the water as for Nitrates unless you have them something is wrong somewhere along the de-nitrification chain . I have also lots of rock to create anaerobic areas But I always employ a coil to finish the NO3 off . Rather then to lower my 0'2 levels or limit my animal load .. Many just seem to overlook the fact that at then end of the chain you have to have nitrates . My coil takes total care of that for free .. its just sets in the sump and clears out Nitrates But my waters dissolved 02' is always at total saturation for the temperature and S.G levels . I never have sick tangs either I use a little of it all to make mine as healthy and stable as possible ..