LR in sump vs LR in DT

[Kyleben]

I have a 20 gallon nano with a 10 gallon sump/fuge Ive got about 25 lbs of LR in the DT and I want to move 10 to the sump. will I still get the same biological filtration? I know my water flow will be better wich should help my water conditions. thoughts?

 

[SkullV]

I wouldn't do it with that Mandarin in your tank. It needs that surface area for grazing even if it does have a feeding area.

 

[lordofthereef]

The only thing that I personally don't like about LR in the sump is that without a filter sock, the rock tends to become a detritus trap. Otherwise, It's probably just as good in either location.

 

[lordofthereef]

I wouldn't do it with that Mandarin in your tank. It needs that surface area for grazing even if it does have a feeding area.

I imagine the mandarin isn't in the 20, least I hope not...

 

[SkullV]

I imagine the mandarin isn't in the 20, least I hope not...

It is, he has a thread about some sort of Mandarin Diner he created for it.

 

[Kyleben]

I have a SMALL target mandarin in my 20 but he gets fed live pods every other day and is FAT and happy

 

[vikubz]

and here...we...go!

 

[Kyleben]

again! hahaha Ive been keeping the mandarins for months now...they keep getting bigger and fatter...this is a LR question NOT an mandarin forum lol.

 

[lordofthereef]

Well, my advice still stands about the LR. FWIW, we measure success in years, not months in this hobby. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[aleonn]

LR in the sump will be fine. Have enough flow in the sump, and siphon out all the detritus during a water change.

 

[Kyleben]

Well, my advice still stands about the LR. FWIW, we measure success in years, not months in this hobby. I'll just leave it at that.

yeah but its pretty easy to tell if a mandarin is fat or starving....mine are way fatter than when I got them so either they are eating and doing well or...well there is no or

 

[Palting]

yeah but its pretty easy to tell if a mandarin is fat or starving....mine are way fatter than when I got them so either they are eating and doing well or...well there is no or

LOL!! You just made it a mandarin thread again!

Back to the topic. Most reef tanks, like mine, have a lot more flow in the DT than in the sump, so it makes more sense to keep the live rock in the DT. TBH, I don't see how there can be more flow in the sump. You have the flow throught the sump going back to the DT, plus you have the powerheads in the DT, making more flow in the DT. Or, am I missing something?

Having said that, you can elect to keep live rock in the sump. I know a lot of people that do.

 

[Herk]

I agree that having live rock in the sump will work for biological filter but as stated above without much flow it can build up detritus.

 

[aleonn]

LOL!! You just made it a mandarin thread again!

Back to the topic. Most reef tanks, like mine, have a lot more flow in the DT than in the sump, so it makes more sense to keep the live rock in the DT. TBH, I don't see how there can be more flow in the sump. You have the flow throught the sump going back to the DT, plus you have the powerheads in the DT, making more flow in the DT. Or, am I missing something?

Having said that, you can elect to keep live rock in the sump. I know a lot of people that do.

A small powerhead in the sump works fine.

 

[SkullV]

The mandarin needs the rock in the tank. Otherwise put the rock in the sump. It's as simple as that. When you are not feeding it directly it is still eating off the rock. You will take away it's food source.

 

[kawicivic]

imo the rock is better in the sump for the mandarin where it will be safe to grow additional pods without predation. I am not sure 10 lbs of rock really matters much though... it wont grow that many pods but once again.. he isnt asking for mandarin advice.

I don't really think it matters where the rock is if you are asking about the biological benefits. Rock in your sump or display will harbor bacteria.

Do what you think will look good. I suggest you continue feeding live pods as I do not believe your tank can sustain a mandarin without supplementation. The other people are just trying to give you advice based on their experience... the only really fat and thriving mandarins I have seen are in tanks over 100 gallons with established fuges...