Filtration for FO with base rock

[saberry]

What type of filtration would you recommend for a FO tank with base rock (no live rock)?

I'm assuming DSB and protein skimmer, but what else? Would this scenario call for an Emporer 400 or maybe a canister?

Oh yeah, this is for a 75gal.

 

[steve-s]

LR is relative to the fauna/organisms that come with it. The base rock will work just as well for biological filtration as any LR will given there is a sufficient amount. If you where to use about 125 lb+ base rock, you would not need a HOB, canister or DSB.

You may want to look into a livesand activator though.

Cheers
Steve

 

[saberry]

LR is relative to the fauna/organisms that come with it. The base rock will work just as well for biological filtration as any LR will given there is a sufficient amount. If you where to use about 125 lb+ base rock, you would not need a HOB, canister or DSB.

You may want to look into a livesand activator though.

Cheers
Steve

Would the microorganisms present in livesand activator survive if I begin with NO flourescent lighting? This is the second $400+ tank I have bought in the past year and based on my wifes initial response 8O , this is going to have to be a low cost project (at least initially) Since lighting will be a significant expense, I will almost certainly begin with NO lighting and then progress later.

 

[steve-s]

The biological effect of the rock and the fauna are not light dependant whatsoever. NO lighting would work out just fine. The livesand activator is just a few lbs of LS that comes loaded with pods and worms. There are a few good ones out of the many suppliers available. http://ipsf.com/ and http://liverocks.com might be something to look into.

FWIW, if you can even supply about 2w/gal, you can even get a healthy amount of coralline growing. It will help if it's got some true actinic lighting.

Cheers
Steve

 

[saberry]

The biological effect of the rock and the fauna are not light dependant whatsoever. NO lighting would work out just fine. The livesand activator is just a few lbs of LS that comes loaded with pods and worms. There are a few good ones out of the many suppliers available. http://ipsf.com/ and http://liverocks.com might be something to look into.

FWIW, if you can even supply about 2w/gal, you can even get a healthy amount of coralline growing. It will help if it's got some true actinic lighting.

Cheers
Steve

Very helpful - thank you.

 

[johnkristie]

Sorry to piggy back on your link, but I needed some clarification. What is the difference between base rock and live rock?

 

[steve-s]

Two primary things. Cost and living organisms. There are two primary types of base rock, one that is just dead dry rock and the other is typically LR that no longer offers anything except biofiltration as rule. Some still has a good amount of life. Dry base rock like Hirocks and "living" base rock like LR.com

Cheers
Steve