LR rubbles vs. Bio-media? Chaeto?

[Reefmack]

My Red Sea Max nano has been set up for a while with the supplied carbon bag and a ceramic bio-media bag in the back filter compartment, below 2 powerheads (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10 nitrate). I'm confused on the advantages of replacing the bio-media with LR rubble. I've been given the impression in RC that the LR rubble wouldn't be the nitrate factory that bio-media becomes, but I'm not sure why? Don't they both do the same thing as far as converting ammonia & nitrite to nitrate? Or does the LR rubble do something to the nitrate as well? That section in the back of the tank isn't lighted as would be a sump or refugium.

I also assume that with no light in the back that chaeto wouldn't survive in that back compartment? If I put cheato in the tank would it take over the tank plus look like heck?

Thanks

[Reefmack]

bump

[ThePhytoMan]

I didnt read the whole thing, but chaeto will not take over. It stays clumped, at least IME.

It does need light, though. Just keep it in the middle chamber.

[Reefmack]

Still looking for an answer on the LR rubble. My nitrates have gone down to 5 now - maybe it's the filtration of LR in the tank kicking in? I also have a bag of rubble now sitting in my unlighted back filtration compartment, along with the original ceramic bio-media. Is there a real advantage to LR rubble over the bio-media in an unlighted situation, or would I be better to just gradually remove both and watch my ammonia levels to see if the LR in the tank can handle the ammonia & nitrite? Under unlighted conditions will the LR rubble also be the nitrate factory that bio-media is, or will the LR rubble do something to drop the nitrate without light? Or, is a macroalgae like chaeto the only way to drop nitrate levels? Thanks.