Gizmoh
Reefing newb
I am just looking for thoughts/input/yelling about using bio balls in a reef system.
Bio Balls
- Thread starter Gizmoh
- Start date
ErinCahir
Sausage Wrangler
Bio balls generally aren't a good idea, unless you are willing to clean them religiously.
Big chunks of food and poo can get stuck in them, and decompose, which will cause water quality issues.
The skimmer/sump is a much much better option.
Big chunks of food and poo can get stuck in them, and decompose, which will cause water quality issues.
The skimmer/sump is a much much better option.
little_fish
Moderator
I couldnt not have said it better myself
Instead of yelling, i just make a toast to erin! :Cheers:
Instead of yelling, i just make a toast to erin! :Cheers:
Bifferwine
I am a girl
I would not use bioballs in a reef system. Live rock and live sand should provide all the biological filtration you need, provided you have enough.
Waddi
Shenanigans?
Looks like these ladies got ya covered mate! :D
sen5241b
Reef enthusiast
Take them out --if you have the bio-balls to do it.:D
ErinCahir
Sausage Wrangler
:Cheers: Cheers for me! Hooray!
My sump is a 50 gallon. It has 2 over flows leading from the main tank into the top of the sump which from there the water goes through media cloth to catch any crap/junk. Then the water filters through about 10 gallons of bio balls into the main part of the sump where I have a protien skimmer, about 25 pounds of live rock and a small uv light thats good for a 100 gallon tank. Then the water gets sucked up by 2 return pumps to the main tanks.
I haven't had any issues so far but should I remove the bio balls or what?
Should I do any thing different?
I haven't had any issues so far but should I remove the bio balls or what?
Should I do any thing different?
little_fish
Moderator
I would remove the bioballs. Unless you are cleaning them regularly, they can become a nitrate factory. Just remove a handful with each water change and then turn that area in to a fuge.
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
+1 everyone....some have had success using bioballs, but they do clean them out regularly...imho, it's just one more thing you have to do.
If you DO decide to take out your bioballs, do NOT take it all out at once! Just remove a cup a week, otherwise you might cause your tank to cycle, to compensate for the sudden loss of bacteria.
Make sure you're cleaning that media cloth regularly as well...just shake off the gunk in the water you just took out during your water changes.
If you DO decide to take out your bioballs, do NOT take it all out at once! Just remove a cup a week, otherwise you might cause your tank to cycle, to compensate for the sudden loss of bacteria.
Make sure you're cleaning that media cloth regularly as well...just shake off the gunk in the water you just took out during your water changes.
