Bioballs ???

[niger12]

I have a small 35 running and have recently aquired two anemones and a few corals. Should I remove the bioballs from my W/D. If I do can I place LR rubble in there to quiet down the water. I currently have 2" sand bed and 28lbs of LR.

 

[calvindo]

really up to you... most people recommend moving them, since it cause levels building up. i run my wet/dry with bio balls, levels are usually at 0.

 

[cprdnick]

Pretty much what Calvindo said, it's up to the owner. If you feel that the bio balls haven't caused a problem and won't then you could leave them if you wish. Just remember to rinse 1/4 of them in water from the tank every water change, this will help keep levels steady, IMO.

 

[ekclark]

My advice is to remove them slowly, if you decide to, and then place a sheet of plexiglass or something for the water to slide down to reduce the splashing noise. This was the advice I received and I have not missed mine.

 

[wyldgunz]

Bio balls will kill coral so id recomend taking them out. Also if you use a foam mesh skirt like what comes on your pumps and filters to place over your pipe that works the best and helps prefilter the major stuff going into you sump and kills the splashing and noise.

 

[donpachino]

how do bio balls kill the corals :notsure:

 

[j21kickster]

Originally posted by WyldGunz
Bio balls will kill coral so id recomend taking them out.

Im not sure where you heard this but that is not true-
Bad water quality will kill corals- Bioballs take work just like the rest of the tank- If you never clean them than chances are that they will butildup detritus (just like LR or any other filter media) If you clean them every once in a while this will never happen- they are good for the tank- Most people think that you put them in and forget them- That is where the problem is- The term Nitrate Factory comes from aquarists who lack poor maintance skills

 

[harlequin]

I have been fighting a running battle with algae and was told about a simple method I didnt even think about. Put Bio-balls in a powerfilter. So far it seems to be at least slowing the algae down alot. That and my water has great clarity, not that it was bad before. My corals are looking better than they have been and I have actually seen my xenia pulse for the first time in 6 months, now if they will just start growing.

 

[niger12]

Thanks for the input guys, THe big reason I have not removed them yet is the noise. I think I will make something to quite the splash.