Removing rock

[Juice780]

My tank has been up for a couple months and I am considering removing a couple smaller rocks that I don’t like. Will this have any effect on my tank if I do this?

 

[Juice780]

Anyone have any options on this

 

[Sinfullchef]

Anyone have any options on this

As long as you are not changing the amount of rock in your tank significantly all at once, you should be just fine. How much rock do you have in there and what is the approximate weight you are intending on removing?

 

[MERKEY]

Short answer nothing bad will happen. If you pull live rock out you are pulling some biological filtration out. At 2 months I don't believe there is enough growing on a couple small rocks to have an impact on your tank. If you ever want to add rock do it in a separate container with fresh saltwater or water from your tank. Let it sit for a month at least with airation and then add to your tank.

Some spec on your tank will help tho...

How big
Parameters
Live stock

 

[Juice780]

It’s a 50 gallon tank. The two I want to take out are the two red rocks on the bottom left side of the picture.

 

[MERKEY]

I believe you will be just fine!

You could compensate by adding a couple pounds of bio filtration to your sump.

Looking good!

 

[Sinfullchef]

It shouldn't make too large of an impact on your system. It appears that your bio load is small enough that you shouldn't have a huge spike. If you are not convinced that you can remove both safely, you can always remove them one at a time and monitor your parameters after removing it. If you go this route you can keep the rock in a bucket like @Juice780 suggested to allow you to return it quickly to the tank.

 

[Juice780]

Oops I mean right side of the picture.

 

[MERKEY]

That's fine too lol you will be totally fine!

 

[Juice780]

I have some bio balls I could add to one part of the sump. I read somewhere that they aren’t really as useful in a saltwater tank because of the live rock.

 

[MERKEY]

Ya bio balls wont really do much.

Can you break the rock that you are taking out and put pieces into the sump?

 

[Juice780]

I might could but I having some algae issues right now. I think I’m getting it under control but for whatever reason those two rocks are the worst ones