Why live rock?

[Southpawzzz]

I know that live rock is the best for filteration but why not wet dry or bio media in sump what makes it so much more effective than other methods.

 

[Reefnewb]

Live rock in the tank is better than bio media in the sump because the tank has much greater flow and will not trap ditritous. The sump in a reef tank is usually just used for equipment like heaters, skimmer, and reactors. Some people do use them to grow microalgae.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

wet dry, and some bio media wont hold as much bacteria as rock. some of the new ceramics are becoming VERY popular. also its the least expensive for the hobbiest.
and ancient coral skeletons are cooler, so it works better.

 

[mcarroll]

Why live rock? The name is the giveaway.

Used to be because of all the life you'd get with the rock, but if you're only conidering dry, dead rock I think the advantages are probably a lot less.

 

[Pongo]

I know that live rock is the best for filteration but why not wet dry or bio media in sump what makes it so much more effective than other methods.

Surface area with aerobic and anaerobic zones for denitrifying bacterial growth.

That's what makes it so much more effective.

 

[akarusso]

Life rock host all the denitrifying bacteria. The more flow you have in the tank the better.