Live rocks in sump

[reefme]

Originally Posted by Myka

Yes, it will collect detritus - even if you use a filter sock. You should remove the rock and clean the sump out every few months or whenever you see detritus building up.

Most reef tanks will have plenty enough nitrifying bacteria with even a small amount of live rock. The limiting factor is usually the anaerobic denitrifying bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrogen gas (and other "stuff"). These bacteria live within the rock and there needs to be a significant population to make a significant dent in the nitrate. For this reason, putting a bunch of live rock in the sump does have benefit. However, if the rock in the sump is allowed to collect detritus and isn't cleaned then the decaying detritus will add to the nitrate in the system, which makes the excess rock a moot point.

Listen to you and fill up with rocks. Is it OK to put it in the skimmer's section?

[Myka]

Originally Posted by reefme

Listen to you and fill up with rocks. Is it OK to put it in the skimmer's section?

I don't like to have it in the skimmer section simply because the rock will shed little rock chunks when you move it around and you don't want any pumps sucking that up. So all pumps should be in the skimmer section, and ideally the return chamber will be separated from the rock chamber (or at least put a strainer basket on the suction for the return pump).