Developing Anaerobic bateria on rock

[Edward Smith]

I'm planning on a FOWLR but intend on having most of the rock in a large sump. The rock I'm going to use is in a 2yr+ established tank and their softball sized. In order to get the most out of the rock, I thought about breaking it up into rubble to increase surface area.

Finally the question......

Will the newly exposed portion of the rock develop sufficient anaerobic bacteria to assist with nitrates within my lifetime

Thanks for any assistance,

 

[DrBDC]

I would leave the rock in larger form. If the rock is too small it can be more of a detrius trap similar to crushed coral. That can end up being a nitrate problem.

But as far as freshly exposed surfaces, it would be fast to populate with bacteria but it's the deeper parts of the rock which are better for denitrification. Even homemade rock can develop good levels of bacteria in 6 months to a year and after a couple years be very very viable.

 

[bertoni]

Moved to Reef Discussion for more views.

The new surfaces will develop bacterial colonies rapidly. The comments about trapping debris are worth considering, though.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11012637#post11012637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrBDC
I would leave the rock in larger form. If the rock is too small it can be more of a detrius trap similar to crushed coral. That can end up being a nitrate problem.

But as far as freshly exposed surfaces, it would be fast to populate with bacteria but it's the deeper parts of the rock which are better for denitrification. Even homemade rock can develop good levels of bacteria in 6 months to a year and after a couple years be very very viable.

agreed but to add---the effeciency of the live rock in the sump will also depend on the flow rate--you are best to baffle an area in the sump for reduced flow rate through the rock.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11012445#post11012445 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Edward Smith
I'm planning on a FOWLR but intend on having most of the rock in a large sump. The rock I'm going to use is in a 2yr+ established tank and their softball sized. In order to get the most out of the rock, I thought about breaking it up into rubble to increase surface area.

You won't be getting more out of your rock if you bust it up- actually, quite the reverse is true: large rock harbors more anaerobic bacteria than smaller pieces. Since anaerobic bacteria perform their function mainly inside the rock, density is the most important factor for creating an area for anaerobic bacteria to thrive. (Less dense is better.)

 

[NoSchwag]

If you want the most out of your rock, consider purging the po4 out of it.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11014965#post11014965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NoSchwag
If you want the most out of your rock, consider purging the po4 out of it.

that's a new one for me--do you mean curing it?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11014970#post11014970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
that's a new one for me--do you mean curing it?

I think he's referring to "cooking" the rock... a type of curing rock in the dark. See this link:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=405128&highlight=cooking+rock

It's probably a good suggestion if the rock was previously used in a FOWLR. Another thing to consider is whether or not copper was ever dosed in the FOWLR containing that LR.
You might be better off getting some new rock.

 

[Aquarist007]

ok I read the threads--thanks.
I still see "cooking" as very similar to "fully curing " live rock, in a number of small vats with water changes??

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

cooking is very similar to curing but cooking only happens in total darkness