Live Rock vs. bio balls

[andy51632]

i have read to replace your bio balls with live rock. what are the benefits of this kind of setup? i know the bio balls are heavy no3 producers. will the live rock work to clean water even if you dont have light on it?

 

[jlem]

Live rock will reduce nitrates as well to an extent where as Bioballs won't get rid of Nitrates.

 

[andy51632]

do you need a light on the live rock or can you just through it into the bio chamber? it does not need to be submerged?

 

[travis89]

Originally Posted by andy51632
do you need a light on the live rock or can you just through it into the bio chamber? it does not need to be submerged?
You can just through it in the chamber but it does need to be submerged to stay live.

 

[jlem]

If you don't mind rinsing out filter pads every couple weeks then I would put in those instead. It will remove lots of waste and gunk before it can deteriorate water quality somewhat.

 

[sinister52]

live rock helps get rid of nitrates in the sump? i have a berlind style sump for a 210 tank. my sump has to filter bags then the middle and then through a filter sponge to the outlet to the pump. in the middle i have been trying to use algea which always seams to die away.. i have no sand or lr as i was told the sand would work its way to the pump and slowly ruin it. should i just add lr to the algea? or should i add sand or mud anyway?

 

[cgrant]

its really depends what you want to do with your tank, if your going reef then you want to ditch the bioballs.
If your going to have a fish only tank then i dont really see a need to replace the bioballs with LR, especially if your going to keep stuff like puffers, groupers, etc.
What are your plans for your tank?

 

[backcountr]

how come you would take out the bio balls it is it just to replace it with live rock?

 

[cgrant]

when you use LR you should use at least 1lb per gallon, LR is expensive and bioballs are alot cheaper alternative.
but i can tell you if your tank crashes bioballs will save your ---!

 

[purple lobster]

don't mean to jump onto the thread but why not bio-balls with reef? if so, would i just be able to remove the balls from the filter?

 

[ghettotang]

First, what kinda of filter are you using is it a canister or sump/refuge. If you are using a sump/refure then you can use both bio-ball and live rock. The way I set-up mind is divided into four stage. First stage where the water gets into the sump with bio-bal to hold and help built up bacteria and sponge to catch any dirt or waste. The second stage which is the middle is my refuge with live rock plant to help reduce the nitrate with light. The third stage where the water goes out into the pump with sponge. This will help to catch any waste that is left before it gets into the pump and going back to the main tank. Then the last stage is the pump where the water goes back into the tankl. But if your using a canister I don't think correct if I'm wrong don't geet a bio-ball nor the live rock. I hope this will help you decide.

 

[purple lobster]

i wasn't aware light reduces nitrates. no cannister, i was planning to just use the wet/dry. would live rock in teh filter help? with light? what type?

 

[bojik]

Originally Posted by Purple Lobster
i wasn't aware light reduces nitrates. no cannister, i was planning to just use the wet/dry. would live rock in teh filter help? with light? what type?
NOT the light the algae growing under the light.