External Filter And Live Rock

Xraymark · Jun 2, 2012

An external used in a salt setup. Many people do.
So can use filter floss, carbon and phosphor remover. Now my query is to use live rock as well or leave out?
Obviously regular maintance to avoid nitrate build up.

guppy_man · Jun 3, 2012

Live rock is a must! It will be your main source of filtration and your external filter secondary. I have an external filter on my tank but its pretty much useless. I have it for the flow and i have K1 media in there and that's it!

Get as much live rock as you can afford, so much more beneficial for you tank than any filter.

FishAreFriendsNotFood10 · Jun 3, 2012

i dont think id even consider a tank without live rock its considered the backbone of the marine tank

the stuff is just incredible how it filters and supports the life that grows on it! i know its expensive stuff to buy but if u take ur time look around and search through the classified ads in your area you can find it for a £s ive seen some for as little as 4quid per kilo in my area.. although most LFS charge £10+.. there are a few online websites ( i dont know if they deliver to NI) that give big discounts when you order like in big numbers like 10kgs 20kgs etc etc

Xraymark · Jun 3, 2012

Sorry my bad.

I mean't as well as the live rock in the tank with the use of an external filter can I add live rock into the canister as well? To free up space in the tank or will it become a bit of a nitrate trap?

FishAreFriendsNotFood10 · Jun 3, 2012

i use live rock rubble in my filter, well its not considered live rock after awhile as itll die off but its still seriously pourous. Just clean it like you would sponges, bio balls etc

its the "detrius" that gets trapped in them that will cause nitrates.

Xraymark · Jun 3, 2012

FishAreFriendsNotFood10 said:
i use live rock rubble in my filter, well its not considered live rock after awhile as itll die off but its still seriously pourous. Just clean it like you would sponges, bio balls etc its the "detrius" that gets trapped in them that will cause nitrates.

Cheers. I've heard a few different opinions on the subject.