Can live rock alone filter my tank?

[parkercandleco]

right now i have 2 penguin biowheel filters..
and i was just wondering if i got up to 150 pounds of live rock in my 125 pound tank can that alone with a skimmer filter my tank for me??? essentually isnt that what a sump is??
if so im sure taking those filters off would save a handful in the electricity bill at the end of every month.

 

[wangotango]

Yes, you can filter a reef with only liverock and a skimmer, many do. You could save one of the filters to run carbon in if you wanted.
I don't think you'll notice too much of a drop in your electrical bill by losing the powerfilters though.
-Justin

 

[parkercandleco]

alright.. what if its a fish only tank?? yeah well it would be nice to get rid of the fiklters and not have to deal with them.. i actually have carbon in my skimmer so i can get it from there!!>...

 

[alex4286]

Sure can. I do. Everything seems fine (and quieter!)
but may I had I also have a hang on fuge w/ micro algae (cheato etc) and miracle mud.

 

[nycbob]

i dont run a filter either. its really useless if u hv enough liverocks.

 

[parkercandleco]

so about how much live rock would i need in my 125??? probably the same weight as in gallons? right now i probably have about 60-70 pounds

 

[ino]

Really? I thought that filtration was a requirement even with LR! Or maybe I'm just thinking flow-wise.

 

[parkercandleco]

well thats awesome.. i am excited about giving my inhabitants a more natural environment in the near future.. after my big move of course..

thats going to be very interesting..
well i will definitely stock up on that live rock.. i just dont want to add to much in case of a huge tank disaster..

that would end it for me

 

[coral keeper]

I also don't use filters or a skimmer in my tank. I just have a powerhead for the water movement and LR and LS and chaeto for the filtration.

 

[parkercandleco]

really!!! thats what i would lke to do.. whats chaeto???

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by parkercandleco
really!!! thats what i would lke to do.. whats chaeto???
Chaetomorphia is type of marco algae that people usually keep in their fuge to absorb extra nutrients and nitrate.
-Justin

 

[m0nk]

If you do this you should make sure you have ample flow, in addition to the amount of live rock. I'd recommend no less than 20x turnover in flow and at least 1lb per gallon of live rock, though the closer you get to 1.5 lbs per gallon the better you'll be.
Note: when calculating your turnover, only add up your powerheads since the skimmer won't be adding direct flow.

 

[maeistero]

i think justin and monk? have the general idea.
you need to get rid of waste aka ammonia. this is transformed into nitrites, then nitrates by beneficial bacteria. the best way to get rid of nitrates is through gas exchange, aka water agitation and flow.
i started with a 55gal and 75 or so lbs of live rock. it worked well for a little while and die off on the lower rocks raised levels to toxic. i still kept on going with the lr filtration system always on one tank as an experimental type thing. on my 180 it worked with very very brushed and cleaned base rock. nothing in shadows can be live rock. your top live rock will need to be properly distanced from your lights. it's difficult as lr will have to be acclimated to your lighting.
there's so much more to say. if you really want to do it, i would tell you that it takes a longer time to perfect but is well worth it. i saw much less water changes needed while the tank was cycling, although cycling can take a LOT longer. i use sumps on my other tanks and it takes more checking. for some reason i still like the natural tank the best.

probably because of the overload of rock and less fish.

 

[parkercandleco]

ok well that sounds like a plan.. yeah it sounds like its alot less maintenance that way...
i will just stock up on my rock and get some of that chaeo stuff. or whatever its callled...
thanks guys.