LR in a Wet dry??

[kainex]

I have a 125g tank with a 70g wet/dry/fuge. I reacently took out half of my bio-balls (about 2 1/2 gallons) and put them into the center were my return pump is. then I put rubble live rock (I had been seeding for 3 years since the tank was started) in place of where the bio-balls were. I plan on giving the bio-balls to someone starting a tank, to get there filter started. Thats why they are in the center for now.
my question is should the LR be UNDER water or have the water flowing over it like bio-balls. right now I have about 3 inches of BBalls under water with 5 inches of rubble LR and then another 3 inches of BBalls with a carbon tray on top with 1 inch of carbon. the water is split on top by a drip tray and filter pads. the area of the wet dry side is about 15L X 12W X 18H aprox.

 

[acrylic51]

Under water IMO what would be the real difference between the LR and the Bioballs if the LR was out of the water???? It would still collect junk as the bioballs could.....JMO

 

[kainex]

It was my understanding that LR is better in the wet dry then BBalls (Berlin system) but I'm not sure if the rock is sapposed to be in the water or just as the BBalls were.
I'm not getting rid of the BBalls beacause they collect junk. I'm switching to LR beacause I read somewear that it is better, and I have a bunch that I seeded from when the tank was set up.
Should I put the rocks in the bottom where ther water is? or in the middle. just above the waterline?

 

[acrylic51]

Can you please explain why it's better? I've read that the bioballs have more surface area to harbor bacteria.....

 

[kainex]

the live rock would be better beacause it will not only have arobic bacteria (needing lots of oxygen) but will also harbor anarobic bacteria deep inside the rock. (needing no oxygen) this will elimanate the one big down side of a wet dry. The problem of haveing High nitrate's (or was it nitrites... :thinking

 

[blazehok68]

imo you would want the lr completely submerged just b/c you could possibly get some die off of the bacteria living inside the rock.

 

[dragonboy]

It will still work the same way but the live rock underwater can be better since it house more variety of bacteria's.

 

[cgrant]

replacing your bioballs with LR will not gain you anything when out of water.
Like stated earlier bioballs allow for better bacteria growth over LR becuase its out of the water, most of the lr will die out of water except for the parts that get the trickle of water. You will still need to clean your LR just like I have to clean my bioballs. A better method is to either completely get rid of your bioballs but need enough LR to support the system or run a sump that is designed for both bioballs and submirged LR.
I am designing my fuge that will have a bioball chamber, skimmer chamber, fuge chamber (LR, LS, Macroalgae) and finally return pump chamber.
The issues that you have heard of with bioballs is caused by the owners not cleaning ~1/4 of the bioballs monthly. Basically the bioballs are not cleaned and get all gunk'd up over time and thats when the nitrate issues start.
That my 2 pennies!

 

[acrylic51]

Originally Posted by CGRANT
replacing your bioballs with LR will not gain you anything when out of water.
Like stated earlier bioballs allow for better bacteria growth over LR becuase its out of the water, most of the lr will die out of water except for the parts that get the trickle of water. You will still need to clean your LR just like I have to clean my bioballs. A better method is to either completely get rid of your bioballs but need enough LR to support the system or run a sump that is designed for both bioballs and submirged LR.
I am designing my fuge that will have a bioball chamber, skimmer chamber, fuge chamber (LR, LS, Macroalgae) and finally return pump chamber.
The issues that you have heard of with bioballs is caused by the owners not cleaning ~1/4 of the bioballs monthly. Basically the bioballs are not cleaned and get all gunk'd up over time and thats when the nitrate issues start.
That my 2 pennies!

Well said!!!!

 

[devaji108]

" I am designing my fuge that will have a bioball chamber, skimmer chamber, fuge chamber (LR, LS, Macroalgae) and finally return pump chamber."
would love to see pics or more info on your sump/refuge
going to be making a 55 sump'refuge soon!
hope I am not hijaking the thread

 

[cgrant]

I ordered a 40 long its same base as a 55 just not as tall.
I hope it will be in this week, special order from aga!

As soon as it comes in and get the baffles installed i will be sure to post pics.
I just have a aga #4 trickle filter now with some chaeto and a light from home depot. Here is a basic quick pic so you get the idea.