Has anyone been successful setting up a saltwater aquarium using live-rock as a filtering system? Without a re

Question

Has anyone been successful setting up a saltwater aquarium using live-rock as a filtering system? Without a regular filter. If so, how would I do it?

Answer 1

You can use live rock, but not to replace a mechanical filter! Live rock is a good BIOLOGICAL filter - I have it in all my saltwater tanks. But the purpose of the live rock (other than looking like a more natural environment and providing a hiding place for your fish and inverts) is as a place for bacteria to colonize. These are the bacteria that convert the ammonia produced by the organisms in your tank to nitrite and nitrate.

Live rock doesn't remove larger particles of waste and food, or chemicals like metals or medications from the tank. This is why you need a "regular" filter as well - this provides the mechanical and chemical filtration that the live rock can't. A "regular" filter also increases water movement in the tank, so it helps to circulate oxygen to the tank inhabitants.

See links under sources for more info on mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration and live rock.

Answer 2

I used the filter that came with my tank it is nothing special, and live rock. I also bought some marine sand and i have had no problem with my tank cycling and now have two clown fish that are doing great. I guess it just depends on the size of your tank.

Don't let people talk you out of setting up a saltwater tank by saying it is to hard for beginners. Just do a lot of research and have a LOT of Patience. I have never had a tank before and have really had no major problems, i am always popping in to my local dealer if i have any concerns.

Best of Luck!!!!

Answer 3

Live rock makes the best biological filter. Live rock is a natural biological filter. You need a decent amount. I personally like a lot of rockwork so I go up to 2 lbs of rock per gallon. 1/2 lb per gallon is the least I've seen recommended before. Just set it up in the tank or in a sump where it will have plenty of water flow around it. Just do with it what you would with regular rocks in an aquarium.

Also as mentioned in a previous post you need whats called a cleanup crew. Snails, crabs, and starfish. Hermit crabs are the most popular crab to use and cheap. Turbo snails do a great job of cleaning the tank but can knock over corals if you have those. Stay away from margarita snails as they don't live long in the warmer water most keep their tropical saltwater tanks at. Any type of sand sifting starfish is good to get.

You will likely get many hitchhikers on your live rock that will add to your clean up crew as well. I've gotten many differant starfish, crabs, bugs, snails, etc. on mine.

Adding in a protien skimmer would be ideal but only required if you want to have corals. They simulate the oceans waves by creating foam to skim the water of organic toxins.

If you really want to go all out you can add in a sump and refugium as well. They allow for you to grow macro algae to act as a nitrate sponge in and allow you to move a lot of your equipment out of the tank and out of site. They also add water volume and a conventient place for adding supplements, water changes, water top offs, etc.

Definitly read up some on saltwater tanks. There are many great articles out there about setting them up, cycling them, and maintaining them.

Answer 4

Live rock would not cut it alone. It would be best to have that, live sand, a canister filter that is meant for a tank 3 to 5 times the size you have, and a protein skimmer.

If you want a total biological tank without the aide of outside help it would be easier to do it with fresh water. You would mainly have plants and bottom feeders in it but still can be done.

Answer 5

hi, Like 8 interior the nook reported-many so referred to as aquarium flowers are only frequent flowers that look outstanding underwater yet they don't usually very last lengthy sufficient to examine themselves. earlier I knew about this i became conned into figuring out to purchase quite a few jointly with a Peace Lilly & a Variegated Dracaena (Dragon Plant). truthfully, the Dragon Plant has finished o.k. in a pot on my windowsill for over a 365 days now! notwithstanding, in case your aquarium flowers are extremely aquatic jointly with Vallis or Elodea i'm afraid they're going to die out of water for any length of time.

Answer 6

That's the only way that I do it.
Here is some good reading for you.
Remember that after you read this, you will need some kind of mechanical filtration.
I use lots of Small hermit crabs, snails, a couple of sea stars, shrimp... to do ALL of the mechanical filtration(TOTALY NATURAL)
100% easier to take care of, all of the living creatures do most of the work for you,(ALMOST a little piece of self sustaining ocean.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/liverockberlinsetups/Live_Rock_Filtration_Systems_Information.htm

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/livesandjaubertsetups/Live_Sand_Filtration_and_Systems_Information.htm

You may want to ask this question on this forum.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=11.0

And a couple of the owners of this shop are Marine biologists
and that is the ONLY way that they set up there tanks.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=22.0

This guy runs a buisness out of his home and knows what he is talking about.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?board=18.0

Good luck and welcome to saltwater.

PS. WAY TO GO CARL
it's not as hard as A LOT of people say it is.
I'll NEVER go back to freshwater.