Bio Balls?
- Thread starter tdog7879
- Start date
T
tizzo
Guest
I hate bioballs. And they are the poor mans live rock. So, if you can replace the bioballs with lr, that would be excellent. Even for a wet dry. The rocks don't hafta be submerged, just keeping them wet will suffice...just like the bio's.
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by SilverDak
http:///forum/post/2647003
you have to clean the bio balls??? didnt think you had too... I'm not doing a reef set up just some LR and a few corals....
Anything, outside of LR, used as a filter media needs to be cleaned. LR rubble, in a trickle filter will probably collect detritus and need rinsing as well.
http:///forum/post/2647003
you have to clean the bio balls??? didnt think you had too... I'm not doing a reef set up just some LR and a few corals....
Anything, outside of LR, used as a filter media needs to be cleaned. LR rubble, in a trickle filter will probably collect detritus and need rinsing as well.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by srfisher17
http:///forum/post/2647013
Anything, outside of LR, used as a filter media needs to be cleaned. LR rubble, in a trickle filter will probably collect detritus and need rinsing as well.
I agree even rubble in a trickle filter will need rinsing to clear detritus from it.
http:///forum/post/2647013
Anything, outside of LR, used as a filter media needs to be cleaned. LR rubble, in a trickle filter will probably collect detritus and need rinsing as well.
I agree even rubble in a trickle filter will need rinsing to clear detritus from it.
srfisher17
Active Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/2647049
I agree even rubble in a trickle filter will need rinsing to clear detritus from it.
....and a good pre-filter pad will help a lot with the crud, but it needs frequent cleaning too. There just isn't any way to make all the tank leftovers, that end up in the filter, magically disappear. This crud will decompose in time, but without cleaning, nitrates will sky rocket. (I thought you'd like an explanation, not just a lecture
)
http:///forum/post/2647049
I agree even rubble in a trickle filter will need rinsing to clear detritus from it.
nordy
Active Member
They can be very good, if you clean them regularly. I have used them for about 8 years and my 55gal reef tank is doing great with consistemtly zero nitrates. They can be bad, if you don't clean them.
I think 2 weeks is too short of an interval-if you have a good prefilter in your overflow, then take a good look at them once a month and if there is any debris/algae on them clean them in a tub of saltwater by swishing them around, and use a soft bristle paint brush to gently remove stuff that won't come off easily. I clean mine every couple of months or so, but they do stay cleaner since I switched to reef from fowlr early this year.
Yeah, the prefilter needs regular cleaning; I clean mine 2-3 times a week.
I think 2 weeks is too short of an interval-if you have a good prefilter in your overflow, then take a good look at them once a month and if there is any debris/algae on them clean them in a tub of saltwater by swishing them around, and use a soft bristle paint brush to gently remove stuff that won't come off easily. I clean mine every couple of months or so, but they do stay cleaner since I switched to reef from fowlr early this year.
Yeah, the prefilter needs regular cleaning; I clean mine 2-3 times a week.
T
tizzo
Guest
I converted my wet dry, to sort of a sump and used LR in place of bios.
I don't plan on cleaning it. I am hoping my feather dusters, amphipods, bristleworms and qtip sponges handle most of it.
Mine is about 90% submerged.
I don't plan on cleaning it. I am hoping my feather dusters, amphipods, bristleworms and qtip sponges handle most of it.
Mine is about 90% submerged.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Bio balls are in no way shape or form an alterative to LR. LR performs three functions it is a platform for nitrifying bacteria a haven for critters and a base to harbor anaerobic bacteria with in for denitrification. Bio balls are a multifaceted surface for nitrification to accrue. If you are looking for just nitrification in your sump. Bioballs give you the better platform
michaeltx
Moderator
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2649665
Bio balls are in no way shape or form an alterative to LR. LR performs three functions it is a platform for nitrifying bacteria a haven for critters and a base to harbor anaerobic bacteria with in for denitrification. Bio balls are a multifaceted surface for nitrification to accrue. If you are looking for just nitrification in your sump. Bioballs give you the better platform
right and they need to pulled and rinsed with saltwater on occasion to keep them clean of detirous if to much collects in them they will start to throw out a lot of nitrates into the tank water.
If I was to start a new tank and had this type of filtration I wouldnt add them from the start. the less maintence there is the less there is to remember there is enough in this hobby to forget about LOL
Mike
http:///forum/post/2649665
Bio balls are in no way shape or form an alterative to LR. LR performs three functions it is a platform for nitrifying bacteria a haven for critters and a base to harbor anaerobic bacteria with in for denitrification. Bio balls are a multifaceted surface for nitrification to accrue. If you are looking for just nitrification in your sump. Bioballs give you the better platform
right and they need to pulled and rinsed with saltwater on occasion to keep them clean of detirous if to much collects in them they will start to throw out a lot of nitrates into the tank water.
If I was to start a new tank and had this type of filtration I wouldnt add them from the start. the less maintence there is the less there is to remember there is enough in this hobby to forget about LOL
Mike
salt210
Active Member
bioballs seem to be my culprit. after a few months of scratching my head it was brought to my attention that just because I cant see anything on them doesnt mean its not there. My trates were at about 100ppm, I got them to around 40ppm before this was brought to my attention.
jonrn
Member
this is what my sump looks like. i have 120 gallons FOWLR with like 80-90 lbs lr and 140 lbs ls. my nitrates are on 20(so far) ive always read not so good stuff about bio balls so i need advice pls...
1 remove all the bio balls then replace it with macro algae
2 remove all bio balls and keep it empty and let the lr in the DT do the stuff
3 decrease the numbers of the bio balls and just clean them once in a while
i really would appreciate help...thanks
1 remove all the bio balls then replace it with macro algae
2 remove all bio balls and keep it empty and let the lr in the DT do the stuff
3 decrease the numbers of the bio balls and just clean them once in a while
i really would appreciate help...thanks
nordy
Active Member
My personal experience with bioballs, both FOWLR and now reef makes me suggest keeping them if you have a decent number of fish. They do have a substantial surface area and will do a lot of work for you in cleaning up the water. Definately don't leave that area empty if you do go ahead and remove the bioballs-do something with it such as LR and/or a macroalgae. Maybe make a divider so you have both in your sump? I have a small pert of my sump (where the lousy built in skimmer used to be) that I have chaeto in.
I don't know about reducing the number of bioballs-if you do keep them, just clean them once in awhile and run with them! I clean mine evry couple of months or so and it's not such a big deal-I dump them in a bucket of water I have drained out during one of my regular water changes, swish them around to remove any crud, then put 'em back in.
With bioballs and other wet/dry filtration methods, as well as using macroalgae, you still need to be religious about doing regular water changes. My personal schedule is 20% every 2 weeks. Some do more, some do less.
I don't know about reducing the number of bioballs-if you do keep them, just clean them once in awhile and run with them! I clean mine evry couple of months or so and it's not such a big deal-I dump them in a bucket of water I have drained out during one of my regular water changes, swish them around to remove any crud, then put 'em back in.
With bioballs and other wet/dry filtration methods, as well as using macroalgae, you still need to be religious about doing regular water changes. My personal schedule is 20% every 2 weeks. Some do more, some do less.
