Can I slowly remove my bio-balls in my sump and replace them with live rock-?

[gtdarock]

I was wondering if I can remove my bio-balls and replace them with live rock. The balls are always dirty and I know it is causing my nitrates to be at 80 all the time, even with 2 week water changes .Any help would be great !

 

[scsinet]

Absolutely you can do this. Of course live rock has to be submerged, whereas most bio-balls are in air with water trickling over them.
You also want to well cure your rock before introducing it, as die off can really whack out your system.

 

[gtdarock]

OH MAN ! Thanks a lot SCSInet ! I feel like a newbie. I'll remove some tonight, and add some rock from my refuguim. I have a lot of rock that I removed from the display tank

 

[scsinet]

Okay well so you are saying that the bio-balls and the rock you are using is all in the same water column currently?

 

[al mc]

Sorry to jump in...but...do not remove all the bioballs at one time as it will greatly reduce your nitrifying bacteria and may cause an ammonia/nitrite spike. IMHO, remove about 1/4 of them every 4-5 days and before removing the next group check your ammonia/nitrite levels to make sure you are not removing them too quickly.........

 

[gtdarock]

Hey SCS, the rocks are in the sump right now, in the refugium, cuz I don't have any caulepra yet. So will I fine just moving a little to where the bio-balls were-? Thanks for the tip Al, I'll just move a little this week.

 

[scsinet]

yeah that's why I was asking... if the rocks are in the system now, then they as well as the bio-balls are all a part of the biological filtration. Moving the rocks doesn't change anything, but removing the media sure does, so be sure to remove a bit at a time as Al said.

 

[gtdarock]

Ok, I'll probably move a cup or two out every week.

 

[matt2364]

I have live rock filling a column where media balls are suppose to be, why is this bad? The drip tray keeps all of the LR rock wet. Just curious, I have heard that it is good to have LR in a media tower, but I guess I heard wrong. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[scsinet]

I guess if the live rock stays completely wet then you'd be okay... but it is something that stays submerged in the ocean, barring tides.

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2608259
I have live rock filling a column where media balls are suppose to be, why is this bad? The drip tray keeps all of the LR rock wet. Just curious, I have heard that it is good to have LR in a media tower, but I guess I heard wrong. Please let me know. Thanks.
Keeping the rock wet only will help with the aerobic bacteria that convert the
ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Completely submerging the rock 'could' allow you to get anerobic bacterial growth as well that converts the nitrates into nitrogen gas.

 

[matt2364]

what is the benefit of nitrogen gas?

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2608581
what is the benefit of nitrogen gas?
Nitrogen gas will 'bubble out' of your tank, thus 'completing' the nitrogen cycle.
It is the step where the nitrogen is actually removed from the tank.

 

[gtdarock]

Thanks for all the info Al, you've been great help. I took out some small cups of bio-balls this evening, and add two medium size pieces of rock. I guess next week I'll do the same, until all the media is gone. I guess most of the rock will be submerged.
And I also added some cauplera to my refugium and a small t5 for lighting. I hope my Nitrates will finally go down.

 

[stdreb27]

On a side note, make sure you trim the calerpa. That stuff if left unkept can release toxins into your tank when it reproduces a certain way.

 

[gtdarock]

Oh really,wow. How big should I let it be-?