I wonder how many of the algae problems mentioned by some of the "SSB-haters" might be from "old" rock that needs to be cooked rather than from sand-trapped detritus... Just a thought. Also, it SEEMS to me that a well-stirred SSB should not collect detritus -- but maybe the under-the-rocks spaces will always be a problem. Of course, a well-stirred SSB won't denitrify, but neither will a BB. But even IF I'm right, the sand-storm issue remains -- how is it that some people have this problem and others don't (even at 40 - 50x t/o)? But who knows if I'm right??? I'm beginning to lean toward BB! But the jury remains out. thanks again for the input and especially links to past discussions and/or articles.
First SPS tank; need basic advice
- Thread starter apurintun
- Start date
Frankysreef
Active member
remember the king of rock cookers.. SeanT's tank crashed, and you havent seen him on RC since.
In My opinion Rock cooking is meaningless...
A reef tank is an ecosystem, benthic populations need to be established BEFORE the addition of predators...
You would be surprised how fast worms, pods and other critters can clean rock overnight, and how quickly these animals breed if given the correct conditions...
I started this hobby with FRESH uncured live rock and cured it in my tank, and I think this is one of the reasons why my tank is soo successful.
I have a ssb, and never touch it, never stir it... I have a 7 inch conch running around on the sand mixing it up every so ofter along with a few hermit crabs..
I never baste my rock, essentially never even stick my hands in the tank other than to clean the glass of coralline every few weeks...
I have a turbo sump, 2 skimmers and use filter socks to collect the detritus...
I rotate filter socks every 4 days, also have carbon running 24 7 inside the socks in mesh bags...
They catch every thing, and every 4 days I take all the junk out....
Pretty easy...
F
In My opinion Rock cooking is meaningless...
A reef tank is an ecosystem, benthic populations need to be established BEFORE the addition of predators...
You would be surprised how fast worms, pods and other critters can clean rock overnight, and how quickly these animals breed if given the correct conditions...
I started this hobby with FRESH uncured live rock and cured it in my tank, and I think this is one of the reasons why my tank is soo successful.
I have a ssb, and never touch it, never stir it... I have a 7 inch conch running around on the sand mixing it up every so ofter along with a few hermit crabs..
I never baste my rock, essentially never even stick my hands in the tank other than to clean the glass of coralline every few weeks...
I have a turbo sump, 2 skimmers and use filter socks to collect the detritus...
I rotate filter socks every 4 days, also have carbon running 24 7 inside the socks in mesh bags...
They catch every thing, and every 4 days I take all the junk out....
Pretty easy...
F
Just to clarify: by well-stirred SSB, I meant by the likes of your conch -- not by hand. And -- dumb question -- where do you put the filter socks; on the output of your main drain? I didn't know about the crash you mentioned. Have people opined that his tank crashed BECAUSE he cooked his rock? I can see how cooking rock could be "meaningless," but I can't see how it could be detrimental (if done "right", whatever that means). I've cooked a good deal and so far haven't had a problem w/ algae coming back; but a lot changes in your system during the 3-6 months it takes to cook all your rock, so it's hard to say what caused the improvement. Anyway, I agree with you regarding benthic/infauna populations, but I suspect most of us don't know how to maintain the right conditions for them to thrive/reproduce.
Frankysreef
Active member
filter socks on the output of the main drain.
Since I have 2 overflows, I use two socks. The water runs through the socks before it gets to the skimmer.
I never liked the idea of uneaten food flowing through my tank and settling in the sump and rotting...
They are cheap, and easy maintenance, and a good place to put carbon...
I know of another reefer who uses a reactor for his carbon... I think it was an old phosban reactor that he changed out for carbon use.
I know people who don't use socks and try to rely on skimmers only for filtration, but solid particles won't get skimmed out...
I have seen other tanks who put socks on the output of thier skimmers too...
I feed a lot, so socks work good for me, but to each his own...( better than vaccuming detritus out of your sump if you ask me )
A few pods and such are probably caught in the process, but they dont die in the socks...they hang out and eat the junk in the socks. ( then die when I dry the socks before I wash them )
Since I have 2 overflows, I use two socks. The water runs through the socks before it gets to the skimmer.
I never liked the idea of uneaten food flowing through my tank and settling in the sump and rotting...
They are cheap, and easy maintenance, and a good place to put carbon...
I know of another reefer who uses a reactor for his carbon... I think it was an old phosban reactor that he changed out for carbon use.
I know people who don't use socks and try to rely on skimmers only for filtration, but solid particles won't get skimmed out...
I have seen other tanks who put socks on the output of thier skimmers too...
I feed a lot, so socks work good for me, but to each his own...( better than vaccuming detritus out of your sump if you ask me )
A few pods and such are probably caught in the process, but they dont die in the socks...they hang out and eat the junk in the socks. ( then die when I dry the socks before I wash them )
The socks sound like a good idea to me -- as long as you change them religiously. (And it sounds like you do.) Do others disagree? I don't mind vacuuming a BB sump, but if you have a DSB in there, it's another matter... Back to the SSB vs. BB debate, How do you keep your sandbed from being blasted in the flow -- just careful about where you're directing the flow?
Frankysreef
Active member
It gets blasted in certain spots... Stick a big coral there. I put a huge galaxea coral in my bare spot, just bare around the edges...
On a side note, my sand didnt start to move until I upped my flow to 40x
The spots stay bare, and the sand settles in other areas.
On a side note, my sand didnt start to move until I upped my flow to 40x
The spots stay bare, and the sand settles in other areas.
