Sump question for new tank?

[mlovelace]

Hello, I purchased a used tank a couple of weeks ago and I am setting it up this weekend for the cycle stage. I have a question about the sump area. The tank came with bio balls and I have removed them (due to others stating I didn't need them in a FOWLR system). I purchased 75 lbs of base rock and another 15 lbs of live rock. This seems to be too much for the tank? The area that contained the bio balls, could I put base rock along with fiber filter in this area? Would this be a bad idea? Also would a combination of bio balls and base rock work in that area? The gentleman before me had the bio balls in there to primarily cut down on the knows of the system. I am wanting to cut down the noise as well, but want to set it up right with no future major errors!

Thank you in advance, Mike

[Parrothead]

the live rock in the sump will have the same affect as the bio balls, they both will trap the goo and become nitrate factories, now on a fowlr, nitrate levels can be somewhat higher than in a reef tank. the noise will become white noise after a couple of weeks, saying you won't notice it after a short period. or mod. your drain to the sump so that it is closer to the sump water level = less noise