Tampa Bay Live rock for sump

[bj274]

I am thinking of adding some TBR to my sump since I removed the bio block.
Which would be the best to use? Rubble? And is this a good idea? And how much would you put in the sump of a reefer 350?

 

[kevgib67]

Sorry I’m not familiar with your tank and size of your tank but I think adding rubble would be beneficial and increase your biome.

 

[GARRIGA]

I'm adding rubble to a canister filter although might add sand to fluidized bed filter. Sand would hold more surface area than rubble which holds more surface area than rocks. Rubble however might bring other life wanted which would fit in a sump application.

 

[bj274]

Also, why is the rubble more expensive than the nano premium? Wouldn’t it be better to just do the nano premium?
And looks like there’s a “20” count minimum, that 20 pounds? Is that too much for the area of my sump, probably a 5 gal section?

 

[UMALUM]

They have a little 8 pound box that ships pretty cheap. Baseball size pieces so it's pretty easy to work with.

 

[GARRIGA]

They have a little 8 pound box that ships pretty cheap. Baseball size pieces so it's pretty easy to work with.

Chisel and hammer can make those smaller, if needed.

 

[bj274]

They have a little 8 pound box that ships pretty cheap. Baseball size pieces so it's pretty easy to work with.

Ahh, found them under “treasure chest “…. Didn’t look there‍

 

[bj274]

What’s more beneficial, rock, sand, or a little bit of both?

 

[UMALUM]

Ahh, found them under “treasure chest “…. Didn’t look there‍

If you decide to get the premium do yourself a favor and tell them to rip the sponges off before shipping. For the life of me I have no idea why they insist on sending all that jazz when it has no chance of making the trip.

 

[UMALUM]

What’s more beneficial, rock, sand, or a little bit of both?

Imo you don't want sand as it's going in the same chamber with your skimmer. Right?

 

[bj274]

Imo you don't want sand as it's going in the same chamber with your skimmer. Right?

Well I thought about getting the box with both and putting some sand on top of my sand (special grade 3-4 mths old) to maybe help with diatoms and dinos, which aren’t terrible right now, just hoping they stay under control

 

[dangles]

If I'm not mistaken, each of their products are sourced from the same location (or very close). They will all likely have the same bacteria and micro-fauna. What will change is the amount/type of larger fauna. For example, you are VERY UNLIKELY to get macro algae, mantis shrimps, crabs and large sponges with a sand order. You are much MORE likely to get those with the premium live rock.

The premium is more for displays than sumps. So is the sand (which is what I got). If you're putting it in your fuge, I'd go with the rubble. No sense in getting the premium when much of it will die in a sump. You'll get all the bacteria and micro fauna you need from the rubble.

Tagging @LiverockRocks for some more insight. They're always super helpful with deciding between different products

 

[bj274]

If I'm not mistaken, each of their products are sourced from the same location (or very close). They will all likely have the same bacteria and micro-fauna. What will change is the amount/type of larger fauna. For example, you are VERY UNLIKELY to get macro algae, mantis shrimps, crabs and large sponges with a sand order. You are much MORE likely to get those with the premium live rock.

The premium is more for displays than sumps. So is the sand (which is what I got). If you're putting it in your fuge, I'd go with the rubble. No sense in getting the premium when much of it will die in a sump. You'll get all the bacteria and micro fauna you need from the rubble.

Tagging @LiverockRocks for some more insight. They're always super helpful with deciding between different products

Great, thanks!!

 

[Mschmidt]

100% rubble. The 8# box might be the right size too.

 

[Benson0219]

That sounds like a good idea. I added Tampa Bay live sand to my refugium to boost bacteria diversity.

 

[Twocorns]

Dumb question, but are these rocks pest free? Aka, it won't have pests that eat corals, and/or kill my fish (ich/velvet)? Thanks.

 

[bj274]

Dumb question, but are these rocks pest free? Aka, it won't have pests that eat corals, and/or kill my fish (ich/velvet)? Thanks.

Not guaranteed but sounds like it would be rare. If you get the small rocks or sand probably pretty much no chance, and if you put in your sump shouldn’t matter

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I am thinking of adding some TBR to my sump since I removed the bio block.
Which would be the best to use? Rubble? And is this a good idea? And how much would you put in the sump of a reefer 350?

I got a @geo cryptic reactor and put about 20 pounds of TBS rubble in it. I called the ladies TBS and told what I had they knew exactly what to load me up with. I did this for 2 reasons 1) I was fighting LCA and wanted to add some diversity to my established tank. This was part of a strategy that ultimately did beat LCA. Then, I knew I was going to temporarily move my 130G display into a stock tank for 2-4 months as I started to set up a new much larger tank. This worked magic, it was like an insta-tank. All I had in the sump was this reactor pushing about 450 gallons through. I moved half my fish fist as I knew I was going to need herbivores in the new set up (no real biofilm on the plastic). BUT, I let it run about 10 days on the cryptic and I guess it did help jump start the system. After 10 days, move some fish, checked ammonia daily for 10 days and nothing. Then I started to move everything over. It was a big help. I am going to say the diversity really does help. I just ordered 250 pounds of their sand and another 150 pounds of rock. Uber thrilled about this. I am one for not keeping rocks or bio in my sump (just preference). But, since I started using their stuff in a cryptic, for me, I won't have it any other way. Once I get my system up and running, I plan to get more of their stuff to fill a 60G cryptic sump I am going to add to my system at about month 4.

The more surface area the better I would think. If you never plan on using it in your display, I would say either nano or rubble. Rubble will get you more surface area vs. nano. I forget the price difference. I actually used their website and ordered nano and put what I was doing in the notes. They called me and advised me to go a different route.

 

[Spare time]

There is no benefit to having rock in the sump if there is rock in the display.

 

[jabberwock]

Email the folks at TBS and talk to them about it...