Matrix vs Live Rock

[lkoechle]

I'm upgrading to an 80 gallon and 40 gallon sump. I've got 10 pounds of live rock in a ten gallon, bare bottom tank.

 

My plan is to buy 30 pounds of dry rock from reefcleaners, bringing my total amount of rock to 40 pounds and having a 2 inch sand bed.

 

2 questions:

 

1. due to the cost of rock, will I be fine with 40 pounds in the display and say 3 or 4 litres of seachem matrix in the sump? (possibly also purchase live rock rubble)

 

2. Can I move my 2 clowns and BTA to the 80 gallon immediately since the 10 pounds of rock can handle the bioload or will it kick off a cycle? (and then not do any additions until february and allowing the dry rock to come alive (aka when I have money again))

 

Edit: I will also be running a Vertex Omega 130 skimmer

[CronicReefer]

I would highly recommend cycling your new tank first with all the new rock you are purchasing. You need to have the nitrogen cycle fully running before introducing your livestock to your new tank. You should look into creating a deep sand bed for your sumps refugium if you are interested in saving money on rock. Deep sand beds can have amazing nitrogen export potential.

[lkoechle]

I would highly recommend cycling your new tank first with all the new rock you are purchasing. You need to have the nitrogen cycle fully running before introducing your livestock to your new tank. You should look into creating a deep sand bed for your sumps refugium if you are interested in saving money on rock. Deep sand beds can have amazing nitrogen export potential.

 

What something like refugium mud? Is that similar in function to deep sand bed?

[CronicReefer]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/rs/feature/index.htm

 

This will explain everything about deep sand beds and what type of sand to use in creating one if you are interested in doing it.

[farkwar]

What something like refugium mud? Is that similar in function to deep sand bed?

Dangerous, and unpredictable. Why buy something thats designed specifically to capture poo in order to "work". I want to remove poo from my system, not let it digest in mud.

 

Look into Cermedia media. I dont think its superior to Johns rock, but superior to any other man made media Ive seen. Do not run poo through either, only prefiltered, pre skimmered clean water.

 

How much rock you need in display is a matter of your sculpting ability. Remember, you want the live rock only as a skeleton and backbone for your huge coral colonies in the future.

 

If John took his rock, sunk in the ocean for 2 years, covered in coraline and macro. That would be super cherry primo Live Rock. I would buy it for $12 a pound, not $2 a pound.

 

I just bought some Premium Fiji Live Rock from LA, its not premium anything. I got it in a Sterilite hoping to get it to grow what I want. I have some of Johns rock in there too. We shall see if this experiment will work.

[Tamberav]

I use matrix in some of my tanks. My one concern about putting a bunch in the sump is it needs to stay clean or it will just work against you. I run filter floss before mine.