Live Rock In Canister Filter?

[Mushroom Boy]

I have an Eheim canister filter that I've been using as a reactor, but was thinking of changing its function by adding dry live rock to increase the filtration and have it be a dark refugium of sorts. There would be nothing in it but live rock. Anybody else use a canister like this?

 

[Harris3005]

I do at the moment but I'm changing to a sump instead. I have live rock in one tray and some phosphate/silicate removing media in the other. I haven't had any problems doing so but I honestly don't think having it on has made any difference to the system. The live rock will do the same job in the display tank if you have adequate flow in there I think? I would say go for it if you want the extra flow it would provide but (I'm sure you know this) make sure the rock is fully cured before putting it in there.

 

[Mushroom Boy]

The rock is currently dry and has been treated with muriatic acid, so I was thinking it would just colonize from a blank slate. Would there be an associated mini cycle with that? Good to know it's working for you! I would plan on monthly maintenance of the canister just to make sure things are looking good.

 

[Harris3005]

Yeah I think you'd get a mini cycle as it catches dirt on the way past and there wouldn't be bacteria in there on the rocks to deal with anything that got stuck. Someone else could maybe correct that if I'm wrong though.
I've found it handy with not having a sump as a place to have phosphate and silicate removing media to help with an algae bloom I had a few months ago and it definitely did the job. I'd just like to point out I use this as well as live rock and a protein skimmer though.

 

[Mushroom Boy]

Thanks Harris, I appreciate it. I too have live rock and a skimmer currently. I've been running GFO in the canister but was planning on moving that to my media basket. I'll research a little more about the implications of adding dry rock.

 

[Mushroom Boy]

To be on the safe side, I'm going to cure the rock in some tank water for a few weeks before adding. Any long term problems anyone can see with running LR in a canister?

 

[Mushroom Boy]

Anyone else run a darkfugium with LR in a canister?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

To be on the safe side, I'm going to cure the rock in some tank water for a few weeks before adding. Any long term problems anyone can see with running LR in a canister?

nitrate factory. keep it clean. that's it. detritus is the enemy.

 

[Mushroom Boy]

Thanks salty. I'm planning monthly maintenance so hopefully that would mitigate any detritus buildup issues. I understand how a canister with the traditional media would become a nitrate factory, but would just live rock pose a potential similar problem? Any thoughts on starting with cleaned dry rock vs cured?

 

[3lusive]

nitrate factory. keep it clean. that's it. detritus is the enemy.

Same thing can be said for a sump.

The whole "nitrate factory" argument solely towards a canister filter is the dumbest argument I've ever heard.

Every setup has the same risk . A sump , HOB , canister , etc. all have the ability to become problematic if laziness takes over. Detritus can build up in any of them. Nitrates , and phosphate can build up with any of them if the maintenance is lacking.

IMO , the canister is actually easier to clean than a sump since you can easily disconnect it and dump it out . That takes care of any waste build up that might happen. The media trays can be dunked in water to help flush them of any loose debris. Try to do that with a sump .

The main drawback of a canister is not having a place to put a skimmer or hide other equipment.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

but would just live rock pose a potential similar problem?

no imo its fine. the build op of funk is just bad on ANY media in a canister. rock balls sponge floss etc.

Any thoughts on starting with cleaned dry rock vs cured?

if the tank is established its prob fine with not too much. just like putting non cured in tank or sump. you may get odd diatoms, or not depending on cuc from the silicate and other nutrients and minerals at the surface of the rock dissolving in salt water. its totally fine to just use floss and sponge in the mean time and I personally would cure it first.

The whole "nitrate factory" argument solely towards a canister filter is the dumbest argument I've ever heard.

no, its actually science. and its different from how you use a canister with fresh water. you dont want to clean it. or rarely. thus the cautions.
and yea I agree, nasty is nasty no matter where it is. usually the sand imo.

IMO , the canister is actually easier to clean than a sump since you can easily disconnect it and dump it out . That takes care of any waste build up that might happen. The media trays can be dunked in water to help flush them of any loose debris. Try to do that with a sump .

no kidding. that's exactly what i do with my canister.

 

[Mushroom Boy]

Thanks everybody, I'm going to go for it (cure rock first).