Adding more LR rubble

JT101 · 10-02-2007, 10:19 AM

I have a 4 month old AquaPod that has about 2lbs. of LR rubble in the back chamber (replacing all the Bio-Balls, ceramic media and sponge media). I took a look back there the other day and thought "Hmmm, there's not really a lot or rubble back there!" I thought 2lbs. was a lot but it seems to just get lost in all that space!

Therefore, I am considering adding another pound or so.

My concern is when I do this will it create a temporary nitrate spike?

BigAl07 · 10-02-2007, 10:50 AM

It could trigger a small "cycle" but that's normal anytime you add something like that. The amount of cycle is dependent on MANY issues (amount of "cure" on rubble, size of rubble, condition of your current bio-media etc) but expect a slight cycle regardless. It's ok... in reality your tank goes through small cycles all the time (too much food added, small die-off of beneficial bacteria, critter dies etc etc) and it's no big deal. Just keep up your testing and if you see any "issues" a good fresh water change can help "dilute" the problem.

Allen

JT101 · 10-02-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

It could trigger a small "cycle" but that's normal anytime you add something like that. The amount of cycle is dependent on MANY issues (amount of "cure" on rubble, size of rubble, condition of your current bio-media etc) but expect a slight cycle regardless. It's ok... in reality your tank goes through small cycles all the time (too much food added, small die-off of beneficial bacteria, critter dies etc etc) and it's no big deal. Just keep up your testing and if you see any "issues" a good fresh water change can help "dilute" the problem.

Allen

Thanks Allen, that seems to be a good logical position. I'll get some tonight.

BigAl07 · 10-02-2007, 11:07 AM

If you can, make sure it comes from a "Cured" tank to minimize the "effect" it has on your system and keep it WET (not just moist) from store to tank. I keep all of my LR from LFS (includes rubble) in a bag just like it was live-stock because in effect it IS live-stock. This will also help minimize the cycle.

One thing to keep in mind is that with LR Rubble you have to the potential for detritus build-up just like with bio-balls. It will need some slight cleaning/vacuuming once in a while to help avoid the build-up.

allen

JT101 · 10-02-2007, 11:20 AM

Allen,

Yes, I live near MANY LFS's that have tons of true wet live rock sitting in reef tanks with zero-nitrate water. One of these LFS' is where I got the original batch (as well as my large LR for the main tank area).

As far as the detritus goes, I blow it out when I do water changes.

BigAl07 · 10-02-2007, 11:27 AM

sounds like you've got it under control

Allen

10-02-2007, 10:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
JT101 Plate Coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 741 View Gallery Karma Komment	Adding more LR rubble I have a 4 month old AquaPod that has about 2lbs. of LR rubble in the back chamber (replacing all the Bio-Balls, ceramic media and sponge media). I took a look back there the other day and thought "Hmmm, there's not really a lot or rubble back there!" I thought 2lbs. was a lot but it seems to just get lost in all that space! Therefore, I am considering adding another pound or so. My concern is when I do this will it create a temporary nitrate spike?

10-02-2007, 10:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding more LR rubble It could trigger a small "cycle" but that's normal anytime you add something like that. The amount of cycle is dependent on MANY issues (amount of "cure" on rubble, size of rubble, condition of your current bio-media etc) but expect a slight cycle regardless. It's ok... in reality your tank goes through small cycles all the time (too much food added, small die-off of beneficial bacteria, critter dies etc etc) and it's no big deal. Just keep up your testing and if you see any "issues" a good fresh water change can help "dilute" the problem. Allen __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

10-02-2007, 11:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding more LR rubble If you can, make sure it comes from a "Cured" tank to minimize the "effect" it has on your system and keep it WET (not just moist) from store to tank. I keep all of my LR from LFS (includes rubble) in a bag just like it was live-stock because in effect it IS live-stock. This will also help minimize the cycle. One thing to keep in mind is that with LR Rubble you have to the potential for detritus build-up just like with bio-balls. It will need some slight cleaning/vacuuming once in a while to help avoid the build-up. allen __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

10-02-2007, 11:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
JT101 Plate Coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 741 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Adding more LR rubble Allen, Yes, I live near MANY LFS's that have tons of true wet live rock sitting in reef tanks with zero-nitrate water. One of these LFS' is where I got the original batch (as well as my large LR for the main tank area). As far as the detritus goes, I blow it out when I do water changes.

10-02-2007, 11:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Adding more LR rubble sounds like you've got it under control Allen __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)