Wet/dry Filter question pt. 2

[Striknyne]

Hey all. I received my wet/dry filter with pre/filter yesterday and got it all hooked up. (It was definitely a pain to try and siphon the water through that tube.) I know that this will greatly help the filteration in my tank but I am a little confused about the bio-balls. I will first tell you that I have not removed them in my setup mostly because I dont have any where to put them. I have read that the bio-balls are a nitrate factory and will only cause problems and that I should not use them and I should put some live rock in that area instead. on the other hand, I have been told by various fish stores and I have read online at other aquarium sites that I can use the bio balls and that I wont have any problems. I was informed that with proper maintenance and cleaning they should not cause a problem.
Being told this ever varying and opinionated information, I am thoroughly confused. Should I leave them in or take them out? In addition, is there anything else that I would need for my system at this point?
55g, 60 lbs LR, 2-3in in LS, Royal Gramma, Cinnamon clown, and Domino Damsel, purple mushrooms, white seabae annemone, pulsing xenia, & a frag of polyps. All parimters are where the need to be(I dont have the exact figures now b/c im @ work)
Any info provided will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ChrisRD]

There are many approaches to setting up a reef tank that can work. That doesn't make it necessary or the best option...:wink:

Live rock/sand + strong circulation + a good skimmer is what the vast majority of reefkeepers are using for filtration these days. Over time, this has become the preferred setup by most for good reasons. With the amount of live rock and sand you have in the system, you do not need additional biofiltration - especially a form that offers no denitrification (ie. plastic biomedia) which in some cases can actually do more harm than good. Good explanation here by Matt Wandell, just insert "bioballs" for "biowheel". :wink:

Personally, I would remove the bioballs and invest in a good in-sump skimmer.

I think if you do a search you'll find this topic (bioballs) has been discussed a lot here at RDO...

HTH