Bioballs or No Bioballs...That is the Question!!!

[rbeberwein]

I purchased a used 120 gal tank with 130 lbs of live Fiji rock and live sand. It is using a wet/dry trickle filter with biomedia. I also have a fluval filter running in the tank, along with the protein skimmer. I am planning on having a fish/invert. system. I have been told by some that I should take out the bioballs from the wet/dry filter and just use the live sand and rock as my biological filter and run the sump with nothing in it. I would like your opinions on this as well. Should I remove the bioballs??? Let me know if you need anymore information to help with your response.

Thanks.
Rebecca

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Rebecca, and welcome to Reefs.org.

I had a wet dry when I first got into the hobby, and I never did use the bioballs. With 130 pounds of live rock and live sand, you've got plenty of "biology" to take care of nitrates.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I second louey's advice

Bryan

 

[Anonymous]

Remove the Canister Filter(may acidify water)and you don't need the balls. I would use your sump as an Algae Scrubber. However the sump will need light(normal flourescents will work) 24 hours per day. This will eliminate nitrates in your main tank. Real easy to do....... even for me....I am going to do it with my next tank. I have found that the real battle is with Nitrates not Ammonia.

 

[rbeberwein]

Bangbang,
You are the third person...in a relatively short period of time, that has told me I should remove the bioballs. As I am a new aquarist, I appreciate yours and others expertise and suggestions.

You also stated that I should remove the fluval canister filter as well. What about my carbon filteration? By removing the fluval, I am now relying on my protein skimmer, my live rock and sand, and an empty trickle filter for my filtration. Again, I am new at this so forgive me but is that enough filtration for my tank, which now house two tangs (naso and kole), a flame angel, royal gramma and a firefish. I will be adding more fish as well.

Also, how do I set up an algae scrubber? Just an empty trickle and a flourescent bulb? I definately want to find a way to reduce my nitrates. I am thinking of a refugium as a way to do this.

Thanks for all your input.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi......do not add any more livestock till you understand what you are dealing with. You can run a simple and cheap powerfilter with carbon. I like Aqua-clears for this and mechanical filtration. Try to find a club or someone in your communty to help you wih this hobby. There is no hobby other than this.LOL

 

[rbeberwein]

Thanks Bangbang,
I will seek out a group in the area to work with and continue to educate myself on this great hobby. I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Anonymous]

You are welcome.......have fun and let us know how you are doing.......we may learn something from your experience......thats what this is all about. :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

I would use your sump as an Algae Scrubber. However the sump will need light(normal flourescents will work)

How exactly do you do this?? Do you just empty the sump and add a light?? I did that once then stopped cause I thought it to be a bad thing?

 

[Anonymous]

All you need is something for algae to grow on ....I would use liverock rubble. You need a pump to move the water back to your main tank and an overflow if the tank is not drilled. You should also try to block any light from bleeding into the main tank.

 

[paramediclane]

although most people dont use bioballs, i have successfully used them for over a year with no problems. i have about 4-5 gallons worth of balls in my sump area where water trickles over them 24/7. i have an anenome, mushrooms, and a clam plus 6 fish in my 90 gal. all water parameters stay normal, and tank is beautiful. im not arguing about the balls. im just saying it is possible to use them without all the problems everyone is so scared of. just my 2 cents. lane

 

[Inno]

I personally think the "nitrate factory" is a tad exaggerated...as long as your system is set up properly and you keep up on maintenance there really shouldn't be a problem

However, I would use the bioball chamber as a refugium.

 

[rbeberwein]

Inno,
Thanks. That is very interesting, I would not have thought to use the trickle filter as a refugium, once the bioballs are removed. I was just going to use it as an empty sump.

Rebecca[/quote]