How does bacteria grow better on bio-balls, light or no light?

[reefs4life]

Ok what I mean is this. I am planning to build a big wet/dry filter out of a PVC pipe with a diameter of about 4 inches and a height of about 3-5 feet. Feeding it I'll have a 3500gph pump that will trickle the water down from the top of the pipe(since it has to go up to the pipe it will lose power so the flow should be reduced by about 1500gal). Now my main quetsion is, will the lack of light affect the way or effency of the bacteria that develops on the bio-balls?

 

[Deanos]

With a pump that strong, there won't be any trickling of water.

 

[digitalreefer]

:bigeyes2:

 

[reefs4life]

Ok so I'll just put a ball valve on it or just switch it with one of my other pumps. But the question still remains unanswered.

 

[Deanos]

Your question remains unanswered, because the bacteria on bio-balls don't require light.

 

[digitalreefer]

Will this be a reef or a FOWLR tank? If it's a reef you shouldn't be using bioballs at all.

 

[deelucky]

they say dark and damp places is a breeding ground for bacteria,but in the saltwater case it doesnt matter imo.because if light hindered the growth of bacteria then no one would be able to keep a saltwater tank becuase the light would kill them off.so no light doesnt matter.example:i used a fluval in my early days and that was filled with bacteria and even sponges.so i will say no lights doent matter.

 

[reefs4life]

It's for a reef tank thats already up and running for about 6 months now. I have no clue what filtration to add to it to keep water quality as high as possible. I'm not saying it's horrible water quality, as you can see by pics in my gallery, but if wet/dry and canister filters aren't good for reefs than what other filtration is there. All I have right now are 2 skimmers, a fluidized bed, and several pumps/powerheads for circulation.

 

[Deanos]

Here's one link: Marine Filtration

 

[digitalreefer]

You can improve the water quality by turning the wet dry into a fuge. Get a small light from HD (members here can tell you the exact light) and start slowly removing the bioballs and replacing them with live rock. This will help remove the nitrates in the tank far better than the bioballs.

 

[reefs4life]

Ok thank you guys, I have a few ideas to work with now. If any1 has anymore suggestions go head and post them, I'm listening

 

[Deanos]

Reefs4life: Do you have a wet-dry or were you just building one?

 

[deelucky]

i learned that the more LR the more bacteria it will hold.bio-balls will only produce higher nitrates.being that it traps detritus.bio-balls have no place in a reef setup.imo.like digital said slowly remove bio-balls and replace with live rock and convert the wet/dry to a sump/fuge.

 

[masterswimmer]

Bio-balls being a detritus trap and nitrate factory is a very controversial subject. I'm going to make a recommendation to use LR for a reason other than the nitrate factory.

There is no difference in the fact that bio-balls and/or LR trap detritus. They both do. However, using LR rubble in your chamber will offer you a larger diversity of natural sea life. Both the bio-balls and LR will grow the beneficial bacteria colonies to break down ammonia and nitrite. However, you'll get various micro organisms within the LR rubble that you won't with the bio-balls.

JMO,
swimmer

 

[Tonyscoots84]

i vote get yourself a big skimmer and get rid of your cannister filter and them bioballs.... i also like the other ideas for a fuge and live rock rubble in the fuge would be cool to...

 

[Awibrandy]

Bio-balls being a detritus trap and nitrate factory is a very controversial subject. I'm going to make a recommendation to use LR for a reason other than the nitrate factory.

There is no difference in the fact that bio-balls and/or LR trap detritus. They both do. However, using LR rubble in your chamber will offer you a larger diversity of natural sea life. Both the bio-balls and LR will grow the beneficial bacteria colonies to break down ammonia and nitrite. However, you'll get various micro organisms within the LR rubble that you won't with the bio-balls.

JMO,
swimmer

Finally. Someone was able to get the words out of my head onto print.:thrash:

 

[reefs4life]

Ok so I still want to build the chamber now and instead of bioballs I'll use LR rubble. But how much is it going to cost me to fill a 4' pipe with a diameter of 4" with LR rubble. One more thing to add, if the pump that I use to run the chamber is a filter, like a magnum 350 with a fine particle remover which I already have, wouldn't that block the detritus from getting to the bio-balls. Only thing would be that I would have to clean the filter every couple of days.

 

[Deanos]

How can you expect info on building an item that several members have recommended, will not be the best method of filtering your tank. Masterswimmer, with Awibrandy agreeing, explained that live rock rubble will retain detritus just like bioballs. 4 different members recommended converting to a sump/refuge setup, which is included in the link I provided. You can ask the question 10 different ways....you're not going to get the answer you're looking for.

 

[reefs4life]

I have no idea how to change my currently running system to a sump/refuge, the age that I have posted is my true age and I'm not really able to get things I need as well as anyone older than me. And if I would need to use any cash I'm not really loaded with it. I'm not whining or asking for anything, it's just that I'm trying to find the cheapest, yet most effecient method of filtering my tank. And my LFS uses wet/dry for all their coral/fish tanks and they're doing fine (some of you may know the place, Exotic Pet Warehouse, in Yonkers) I'd need someone to look at my set-up and help me fix it, I think that would be the easiest way.

 

[duke62]

if u didnt have the money u should have waited till u did.in my case i was informed wrong where i bought my setup.listen to the people who have posted.you can also find what u need on for sale forum for 3 times less than a store look for something there.i listen to pretty much everything they say when i post my threads and my tank is lookin beautiful.i am lookin to add a fuge as well which will make my setup complete.listen to response's dont get upset when u dont get the answer your lookin for