bioballs
- Thread starter tito3054
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aquarium125g
Member
I Have An Algae Filter In My 125g Tank And I Dont Even Have Them, To Me Algae Filter Is The Way To Go.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Never replaced, just washed in saltwater. Half your bioballs, wash one half one month and then was the other half the next month.
reddhead
Member
When washing the balls, should we use a brush or something to get the waste off of the balls? I ask because i tried just swishing them around in the water and it would not come off...i didn't know if using a brush would be to extreme and remove too much of the bacteria off of the balls.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
If it's that bad, then yes, you can use an unused toothbrush.
stdreb27
Active Member
Yeah, like he said, just take about 1/3 or 1/2 out, scrub your balls, rinse your balls. Then put them back in. Occationally, (like once a year) I'd soak em in bleach or ammonia to totally kill everything on your balls. Then rinse them really well, soak them in fresh water and put declorinator for a couple days then put them back in. (half your balls at a time still)
If you don't clean them regularly they will generate lots of nitrates since detritus gets stuck there and rots.
Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
If you don't clean them regularly they will generate lots of nitrates since detritus gets stuck there and rots.
Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
stdreb27
Active Member
Originally Posted by Reddhead
http:///forum/post/2952821
Thanks so much for the info! I knew I needed to clean them but I was scared to in that I would take any too much of the beneficial (I hope I spelled that right) bacteria.
How much LR do you have?
Ideally your tank shouldn't be so loaded that washing your balls would mess up your biological filtration.
http:///forum/post/2952821
Thanks so much for the info! I knew I needed to clean them but I was scared to in that I would take any too much of the beneficial (I hope I spelled that right) bacteria.
How much LR do you have?
Ideally your tank shouldn't be so loaded that washing your balls would mess up your biological filtration.
trouble93
Member
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/2952785
Yeah, like he said, just take about 1/3 or 1/2 out, scrub your balls, rinse your balls. Then put them back in. Occationally, (like once a year) I'd soak em in bleach or ammonia to totally kill everything on your balls. Then rinse them really well, soak them in fresh water and put declorinator for a couple days then put them back in. (half your balls at a time still)
If you don't clean them regularly they will generate lots of nitrates since detritus gets stuck there and rots.
Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
+1 Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
http:///forum/post/2952785
Yeah, like he said, just take about 1/3 or 1/2 out, scrub your balls, rinse your balls. Then put them back in. Occationally, (like once a year) I'd soak em in bleach or ammonia to totally kill everything on your balls. Then rinse them really well, soak them in fresh water and put declorinator for a couple days then put them back in. (half your balls at a time still)
If you don't clean them regularly they will generate lots of nitrates since detritus gets stuck there and rots.
Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
+1 Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
stdreb27
Active Member
Originally Posted by trouble93
http:///forum/post/2952863
+1 Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
I do think it does, but I don't think it is any better than a fuge. Plus there is just so much maintence involved. I ran one for about 4 months just to experiement with it. And basically I noticed a slight difference, but not what I would consider making it worthwhile to do.
http:///forum/post/2952863
+1 Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
I do think it does, but I don't think it is any better than a fuge. Plus there is just so much maintence involved. I ran one for about 4 months just to experiement with it. And basically I noticed a slight difference, but not what I would consider making it worthwhile to do.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
The widely accepted procedure for cleaning bio balls
Only do this if your tank is at least 6 months old
1. Place some new saltwater in a five gallon plastic bucket, or any other type of good-sized deep plastic container. This is where you will rinse and clean the bio-balls off. If you are planning for a water change, water removed from the aquarium may be used for this as well.
2. Turn off the filter.
3. Remove about 1/4 of the bio-balls from the filter chamber and place them into the container with the saltwater.
4. Stir and swish the bio-balls around in the saltwater to break all the gunk or organic matter loose that is stuck on them. If they are extremely dirty, you may have to repeat this step. DO NOT scrub the bio-balls! Just allow the saltwater to do the job, nothing more than that.
5. Scoop the rinsed bio-balls out and place them back into the filter bio-chamber. A plastic kitchen colander works great for this, but any type of cup or small container with drain holes in it will do. The bio-balls come out, the yucky water stays behind.
6. Restart the filter.
7. Test for the appearance of ammonia every few days for a week, then every several days over another week after that. If the tests read near zero after this time, it is ok to repeat the process. If ammonia does appear, wait until readings drop back to zero, then wait another couple of weeks after that before repeating the process with the next batch of bio balls
Only do this if your tank is at least 6 months old
1. Place some new saltwater in a five gallon plastic bucket, or any other type of good-sized deep plastic container. This is where you will rinse and clean the bio-balls off. If you are planning for a water change, water removed from the aquarium may be used for this as well.
2. Turn off the filter.
3. Remove about 1/4 of the bio-balls from the filter chamber and place them into the container with the saltwater.
4. Stir and swish the bio-balls around in the saltwater to break all the gunk or organic matter loose that is stuck on them. If they are extremely dirty, you may have to repeat this step. DO NOT scrub the bio-balls! Just allow the saltwater to do the job, nothing more than that.
5. Scoop the rinsed bio-balls out and place them back into the filter bio-chamber. A plastic kitchen colander works great for this, but any type of cup or small container with drain holes in it will do. The bio-balls come out, the yucky water stays behind.
6. Restart the filter.
7. Test for the appearance of ammonia every few days for a week, then every several days over another week after that. If the tests read near zero after this time, it is ok to repeat the process. If ammonia does appear, wait until readings drop back to zero, then wait another couple of weeks after that before repeating the process with the next batch of bio balls
reddhead
Member
I have about 70 lbs of live rock in a 125 gal tank. I have been adding a little at a time due to $. My bio balls are not extremely dirty but the matter is definately present. I just upgraded my protein skimmer from a built in skimmer in the wet/dry filter to a octopus. I am hoping that will help as well. I do not have any corals but I would like to in the future so conquering this issue will help me get prepared I am sure!
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Reddhead
http:///forum/post/2952771
I have a nitrate problem and I believe that is where it is coming from. Thanks for the info. I am new to the hobby and trying to learn as much as possible...
why do you think the bio balls are the cause of your nitrate situation
http:///forum/post/2952771
I have a nitrate problem and I believe that is where it is coming from. Thanks for the info. I am new to the hobby and trying to learn as much as possible...
why do you think the bio balls are the cause of your nitrate situation
florida joe
Well-Known Member
My friend what first has to be addressed is how nitrates get into our tanks. Assuming you are not introducing nitrates via your water or food. They are the end product of nitrification. They are eliminated by denitrification (bacteria or assimilation by higher forms of algae) are the natural ways of removal or reduction. Your bio balls are not the cause of you nitrates your lack of adequate denitrification is the cause. That is what you have to look at. You state that you are a new hobbyist so I am assuming your thank has not been set up for any length of time. If that is true alto bio ball maintains is very important I don’t think you should have any appreciable build of gunk at this stage
buffett
Member
Originally Posted by stdreb27
http:///forum/post/2952785
Yeah, like he said, just take about 1/3 or 1/2 out, scrub your balls, rinse your balls. Then put them back in. Occationally, (like once a year) I'd soak em in bleach or ammonia to totally kill everything on your balls. Then rinse them really well, soak them in fresh water and put declorinator for a couple days then put them back in. (half your balls at a time still)
If you don't clean them regularly they will generate lots of nitrates since detritus gets stuck there and rots.
Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
ok so i know this is waaaayyy off topic but when i was reading this i was laughing so hard, my mind is in a different place today
http:///forum/post/2952785
Yeah, like he said, just take about 1/3 or 1/2 out, scrub your balls, rinse your balls. Then put them back in. Occationally, (like once a year) I'd soak em in bleach or ammonia to totally kill everything on your balls. Then rinse them really well, soak them in fresh water and put declorinator for a couple days then put them back in. (half your balls at a time still)
If you don't clean them regularly they will generate lots of nitrates since detritus gets stuck there and rots.
Oh and ignore that algae mat stuff, it doesn't really work.
ok so i know this is waaaayyy off topic but when i was reading this i was laughing so hard, my mind is in a different place today
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Buffett
http:///forum/post/2953781
ok so i know this is waaaayyy off topic but when i was reading this i was laughing so hard, my mind is in a different place today
you know what now that I read that again I also am in a different place
http:///forum/post/2953781
ok so i know this is waaaayyy off topic but when i was reading this i was laughing so hard, my mind is in a different place today
you know what now that I read that again I also am in a different place