Filter Question

[fishwatcher]

I have a 30g tank with about 15lbs. LR and about 8 lbs base rock along with a HOB filter that had media in it. I am wondering how much LR rubble I'd need to put in the HOB to equal the filter capacity of the media that's in it now (there are 2 poly filters, 2 nylon pot scrubbers, a bag of ceramic rings and bag of nitrate/phosphate absorbing stuff). The filter is a Whisper brand that's rated for 50g. It has 2 sides for media, with the uptake tube in the center. I'm interested in removing most of the media and replacing it with macro algae, LR rubble and the nitrate/phosphate remover pack. I'm just not sure how much I'd need to keep it from cycling again. Also, if I remove the poly filter what will polish the water to keep it nice a clear? I just don't see how LR could that part of it.
Thanks for any help!

 

[fishwatcher]

Anyone???

 

[SkiFletch]

Doesn't work like that in a saltwater tank . A vast majority of your biological filter is actually the organisms living on/in the LR. Replacing the mechanical filtration with LR will be just fine. Go ahead and put as much as is servicable in there and don't fret about the rest

 

[fishwatcher]

Oh, ok. Why do you need a certain amount of LR in a tank when you don't use a filter?
Thanks!