wet/dry question

[fishntx]

i just bought a wet/dry with bio balls recently,and i'm about do for a water change, and cleaning. i was curious if i needed to do anything with the bio balls or will the bacteria be ok with out the constant flow of water for a short period of time.

 

[drew2005]

If its a new wet/dry then you dont need to clean the bioballs yet. Ive had mine up and running for 5 months and havent touched the bioballs.

 

[snipe]

Usually later on ppl clean half the bioballs at a time and even then they only rinse them in there water change water (water you have already taken out of the tank lol). If you gently run them back and forth in saltwater the bacteria will be fine.

 

[thomas712]

Originally Posted by Snipe
Usually later on ppl clean half the bioballs at a time and even then they only rinse them in there water change water (water you have already taken out of the tank lol). If you gently run them back and forth in saltwater the bacteria will be fine.
I agree with this, when I used a wet/dry this is more or less what I did to keep the bio balls clean, in this way with regular maint. you shouldn't have any problems with them causing nitrates. Remember to use a filter floss above them to collect the larger organics and this will helpl keep them clean longer.
Thomas