how many bio balls = how many pounds of live rock rubble??

[supermarvin76]

I would like to remove my bio balls. Right now I have a thin sand bed refugium with 2 "balls" of chateo and about 2 pounds of live rock rubble. Before the refugium, the water goes through bio balls. 4 questions are:

1. How many pounds of live rock rubble should I have total when all my bio balls are gone?

2. Does it matter where in the live rock rubble goes?

3. Do I need to light the live rock rubble?

4. How long should I leave the rubble in before I take out the bio balls?

Thanks!!!!

 

[RMPD109]

You would want the total amount of LR to be 1.5-2lbs/gal. As long as the LR stays submersed you can put it anywhere. I dont think that light is required for the beneficial bacteria, only the algaes would need it. Some one here can hopefully add or correct on this though. Most people change out 20% at a time to slowly allow bacteria to build on the new rock.