Topic: Want to add more rock. Concequences??

[cvrle1]

Hey everyone.

I wanted to add about 20 more # of LR to my system. It has 35# now (it's 33 gallon)and all the parameters are as they whould be. Ammonia, nitrates, nitrites are at 0 ph is 8.4 salinity 1.023, calcium 440

Question is if I do add LR that is suposed to be cured (that's waht lfs said) what kind of an effect will that have on my whole aquarium? I do not want to go through another cycle because of fish and few corals that I have.

Someone help me out.

Marko

PS: I can't cure rock myself because I just don't have money to buy another skimmer right now for it.

[Ltspd]

Why do you want to add more LR? Too much LR not enough room for corals.

[kevinpo]

The main impact would be in reduced water volume. Water volume is very important in providing a stable environment. The addition of to much water displacing rock reduces the carring capacity of the remaining water. This makes the task of keeping the chemical balance much harder. One way around that is to add a 15-20 gallon sump. $10 rubbermaid and $35 return pump and you're there.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

[cvrle1]

I was thinking about adding a sump but no clue how to setup one. If you have any plans on how to make one up and connect it with that container and return pump could you post a link?

Thanks for the help.

[kevinpo]

One simple way is to purchase a overflow box (CPR makes a good one) and a Rubbermaid (or equivalent ) container that fits under your stand. A small submersible pump (RIO or similar) and a peice of vinyl tubing from your local hardware store and you're about ready to go. To direct the flow and hold the end of the tubing you can use PVC fittings attached to the end of the tubing. 2-elbows threaded, 1- hose barb threaded, 1-short nipple threaded, and 1-3" nipple threaded will work. 2 things that need to taken into consideration.
1st; the overflow box and the pump need to be sized correctly. For example if you buy a overflow box that has a 60 GPH capacity and a pump that has a 90 GPH capacity the water level in the tank will raise until it overflows or until the sump is empty
which brings up #2; The water level in the tank and the sump capacity must be such that if the power is cut to the pump the siphon breaks in the overflow box before the sump overflows (be sure to test this by unplugging the pump and watching the level in the sump). If the level goes too high plug the pump back in and either reduce the amount of water in the tank or raise the overflow box. This is not too hard to do.(no, not overflow the sump ) I mean calculate the amount of water that will overflow before the siphon breaks. The overflow box has some adjustment screws for the up and down and leveling adjustments. This should be set so the lip of the overflow box is about 1" below the water level. Then multiply 1x your tank width x length in inches and divided by 231. Make sure your sump will hold this amount in addition to what you put in there to begin with in order to cover the pump.
Note: often the heater, skimmer, thermometer are also located in the sump (provided space is available)

There are many good books that I'm sure will give a better description (with pictures) than I have given. Marine Aquarium Handbook by Martin Moe, and The Reef Aquarium by Delbeek & Sprung to name a couple.

Regards,
Kevin