Bio filter media blocks

[Jon Mooney]

Aquascaping my new 75 gal reef tank today. Question: Can I use ceramic bio filter media blocks under my substrate to elevate my Aquascape a little higher in the sand? (When I get sand lol) And how important is the 1lb of live rock per gallon rule? I bought 80lbs of Reef Saver but it turns out I don’t like the look of that much rock in the DT. I prefer a slightly minimalist approach. I aquascaped about 40lbs this afternoon and I’m feeling like that’s all I want in there. I’ll have a 40 gal breeder sump for a 75 gallon tank. Can’t I use filter media blocks in the sump to make up for the lack of rock in the DT?

 

[Strawberry]

Aquascaping my new 75 gal reef tank today. Question: Can I use ceramic bio filter media blocks under my substrate to elevate my Aquascape a little higher in the sand? (When I get sand lol) And how important is the 1lb of live rock per gallon rule? I bought 80lbs of Reef Saver but it turns out I don’t like the look of that much rock in the DT. I prefer a slightly minimalist approach. I aquascaped about 40lbs this afternoon and I’m feeling like that’s all I want in there. I’ll have a 40 gal breeder sump for a 75 gallon tank. Can’t I use filter media blocks in the sump to make up for the lack of rock in the DT?

I am not a professional by any means, but I think that the main purpose of adding live rock is to add surface area for your nitrifying bacteria to grow, so using bioblocks in your sump should be okay. I think that it wouldn’t be harmful to use to raise your sandbed, but wouldn’t be beneficial as the bacteria needs flow and oxygen to survive, which is why it is important to vacuum sand beds. I think that covering the bioblock with sand will cancel out its benefits, thereby making it more expensive than just making a deeper sandbed.

 

[nitrodude]

Havent seen the bio blocks under sand but it should work there. May actually help with nitrate reduction under the sand bed as more of the bacteria would be anaerobic if buried under enough sand
Most people use them in their sumps. Works okay.
More rock is better in my opinion but not completely necessary either. I never weighed rock when scaping any of my tanks but I'm sure I'm under the "1lb per gallon" rule that floats around

 

[Magellan]

I think you should be just fine! I’m not an expert either, but less rock + more biomedia is how my tank is set up and it does just fine. It’s been up for almost a year now and hasn’t lost a fish or a coral.

 

[Magellan]

however, I don’t know that you would get the usual benefit of the bio media block since it would be covered in sand, and therefore not getting any sort of water flow. You could get the same result with just using an acrylic stand/box (could still be filled with sand if a more nature hill shape is the look you are going for) and then putting the bio media block in your sump to get the most out of it.

 

[Jon Mooney]

I am not a professional by any means, but I think that the main purpose of adding live rock is to add surface area for your nitrifying bacteria to grow, so using bioblocks in your sump should be okay. I think that it wouldn’t be harmful to use to raise your sandbed, but wouldn’t be beneficial as the bacteria needs flow and oxygen to survive, which is why it is important to vacuum sand beds. I think that covering the bioblock with sand will cancel out its benefits, thereby making it more expensive than just making a deeper sandbed.

I figured that might be the case. I don’t really want the sand bed to be too deep tho. After aquascaping my rock on my work bench and epoxying it together, I placed it in the empty tank to see how it would look. It was then that I realized it’s significantly lower than I’d intended. Rookie mistake.

 

[Jon Mooney]

however, I don’t know that you would get the usual benefit of the bio media block since it would be covered in sand, and therefore not getting any sort of water flow. You could get the same result with just using an acrylic stand/box (could still be filled with sand if a more nature hill shape is the look you are going for) and then putting the bio media block in your sump to get the most out of it.

Ok WOW! Your tank/ aquascape is amazing! Did you buy those and piece them together like that, or did you scape it from other rock yourself?

 

[KrisReef]

If you have room in the sump you can put the extra rock in the sump or use biomedia in the sump.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I figured that might be the case. I don’t really want the sand bed to be too deep tho. After aquascaping my rock on my work bench and epoxying it together, I placed it in the empty tank to see how it would look. It was then that I realized it’s significantly lower than I’d intended. Rookie mistake.

Liking your set up. I may be a bit weird (I am), but the right rock reminds me of an elephant and the center a tree. Kinda safari thing. No mistakes made, just a project in development.you are testing your designs so I would say good job.

I agree with kris, you have the sump for extra media. I personally would stay away from anything under the sand like the blocks. They would inhibit any inverts or other sand dwelling creatures from building homes. It could be a detris trap limiting cleaning of the sand bed, or stirring it up.

Just my thoughts. Keep the pics coming. If your not doing a build thread now we be a great time if you like.

 

[Magellan]

Ok WOW! Your tank/ aquascape is amazing! Did you buy those and piece them together like that, or did you scape it from other rock yourself?

I am really fortunate to have access to some quality LFS’s here in the Charlotte area, and I actually purchased the centerpiece from one of the stores. I believe there is a father/son team that makes them. Mine is made from Tonga rock (the branches) and then is attached to a normal piece of rock at the bottom for support and the flat parts on top are a composite of crushed rock, coral, and shells that they make themselves. It’s really a little too big for this tank, but when I saw it I knew I had to have it! I added a couple other pieces of rock, a few shells I got from the beach, and called it a day. Excuse the in-tank heater, I originally got one too long to fit vertically in the back, but then my clownfish immediately started hosting it so I’ve never had the heart to do anything differently.

 

[photiczoner]

Aquascaping my new 75 gal reef tank today. Question: Can I use ceramic bio filter media blocks under my substrate to elevate my Aquascape a little higher in the sand? (When I get sand lol) And how important is the 1lb of live rock per gallon rule? I bought 80lbs of Reef Saver but it turns out I don’t like the look of that much rock in the DT. I prefer a slightly minimalist approach. I aquascaped about 40lbs this afternoon and I’m feeling like that’s all I want in there. I’ll have a 40 gal breeder sump for a 75 gallon tank. Can’t I use filter media blocks in the sump to make up for the lack of rock in the DT?

Late to your thread, which I just came across while researching ceramic media......did you end up using ceramic blocks in your display tank, and if so, do you like it?

Nice aquascape! I love the vertical islands look and have that myself.

Ever think about just using clear plexi rods to raise rock up off the sand bed? I did that to raise my islands a couple/few inches, which gives me an uninterrupted, shallow, continuous sand bed. Makes it easy to vacuum, extra “under rock” hiding spaces, and more room for sand dwellers. Just an idea for ya!

Looking good, post pics as it matures!