Live rock removal

[jdpeters]

I have a 42g cadlights with probably 5 gallons of water in the sump. The display has roughly 20 pounds of mature live rock and I have a additional 15~ in the first chamber of my sump. There is a substantial amount of sponge and filter worm growth on the rock in the sump along with a healthy amount of detritus below it.
What I am asking is if it’s more beneficial to remove that rock and detritus out of the sump and get my skimmer in there or just leave it?
Do I have more than enough biological filtration in the display?
Will I see any backlash from removing the rock out of them sump?
My tank is relatively stocked with corals and fish load is super light. 1 tiny clown and chromis.
Thanks reefers!

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Why are you considering adding a protein skimmer? Does everything appear to be happy in your tank?

 

[jdpeters]

Mostly because I have a skimmer that I intended on using but got frustrated trying to tune it 2.5 years ago when I started the tank. Zero hair algae and tank is doing well. I’d like to increase feedings and fish load.

 

[WVNed]

Move the rock to the DT, clean the sump and add the skimmer.

 

[jdpeters]

Move the rock to the DT, clean the sump and add the skimmer.

There’s no room and wouldn’t the sponge and filter feeder die off from the intense light cause nitrates? What about moving some rock to the last chamber with pump and slowly removing the rest from first chamber to not affect my biological filtration so rapidly? Am I over thinking this?

 

[Reefrookie220]

How old is the system? I feel this is an important factor. It’s easy to shock an immature system messing with the bio filter.

If it’s mature, slow removal is what I’d recommend.

On the other hand....if it’s not broke!

 

[Reefrookie220]

Or a media like siporax could be added and allowed to establish in place of the rock. Saving you enough space for a skimmer

 

[jdpeters]

How old is the system? I feel this is an important factor. It’s easy to shock an immature system messing with the bio filter.

If it’s mature, slow removal is what I’d recommend.

On the other hand....if it’s not broke!

2.5 years