Live Rock and Bio Balls

[big911dog]

From what I've read, if you have anywhere from 1-2 lbs of LR/gallon you shouldn't have bio-balls in the wet-dry filter due to excess nitrates. SO...If I put a protein skimmer in a wet/dry sump would that be enough for a 100 gal FOWLR? Will it change if someday I move to a reef system (the tank is reef ready but since I'm new at this I'm starting the tank FOWLR until I gain more experience.)?
:notsure:

 

[evilss]

welcome to the boards. i dont how the guys feel here but when i was in california i set up my aggressive tank without bioballs. i got a great deal on some small pieces of live rock so i put that in place of the bioballs. it worked wonderfully for me. my chemicals stayed in good shape. i have seen alot of stores start to do that as well. i would get some second opions on this method though. ou dont hear about it alot. and about the protein skimmer. i would get one no matter what.

 

[bang guy]

Starting out with bio-balls is fine and probably a good idea. Once the tank gets going you can remove them a handful at a time. It's still unproven but I believe bio-balls interfere with the denitrification process of sand beds and live rock.