Bio-Balls

[Krish]

I've read somewhere that bio-balls are bad to have in saltwater aquariums. Is that so because it really doesn't make any sense to me why they would make such a filter for marine applications, but couldn't be used...or I'm I missing something?

 

[Angelscrx]

They are nitrate factories. They work if you keep them rinsed out but it would be better not to have them.

 

[doomus]

They work great for biological filtration but you will have nitrates around 20 which is fine for fish only but a bit high for most corals and inverts. I used to have them on my tank but had to take them out because i couldn't keep the nitrates down.

dennis

 

[dwall174]

They will & do work good for fish only systems! That’s why you see those big bio-towers at the fish stores. They work good for the first part of The Nitrogen Cycle Where ammonia is converted to Nitrites then into Nitrates! But as Angelscrx stated they will become nitrate factories if not kept cleaned & rinsed off. Although nitrates in a fish only system are not as big of a concern as Nitrates In A Reef Tank! They are also a source of fuel for algae!

 

[Krish]

So what would you suggest doing with a wet/dry system with bio-balls? Take them out? And if so, replace them with what in their place? Or would you use the bio-balls and alternate rinsing them off half one month and half the other? Because you need some form of bacteria in there to break down the cycle from ammonia --> nitrite --> nitrate or in this case, would you simply rely on the bacteria in your substrate...if you don't go bare-bottom and if you do, then what? Sooooo confusing LOL

 

[mojoreef]

Krish its not that bad. It wouldnt even have to be bioballs in thier to create the nitrate problem. The concept is that th highly oxygenated water passing over the multi-surfaced bioball allows for the creation of nitrifing bacteria (as mentioned above) this type of system works well for a FO system as fish can handle Nitrates. Corals on the other hand cannot. It wouldnt matter what you put in thier in its place it would have the same effect as the same enviroment is being created (highly airated water over a surface) bioballs are just used becuase they have so much exposed surface area..
Dont worry about nitrifing bacteria in your tank, thiers plenty. They cover every surface of your tank, if you go BB or not you will have enough. Having to rince them is to much work IMHO. I would just leave the area open and use it for equipment.
Do you have the bioballs already running on your system??


Mike

 

[Krish]

I had bio-balls running in my system the first time around. My tank is empty now because I'm starting completely over and this is the time where I need to make all the changes before setting it back up. I just finished my overflow and all the plumbing for it to pump an additional 2400 gph through it. I was just wondering if I had to alter my wet/dry before starting it up again (my wet/dry is the pro150 by proclearaquaticsystems). I almost thought about adding another spill-over wall in there, taking out the bio-balls, and in its place, setting up a fuge. Haven't quite decided though...Just weighing out my options now.

 

[dasaphrota]

Dwall174,
thanks a million for posting that nitrate link! alot of good info!

 

[dwall174]

Dwall174,
thanks a million for posting that nitrate link! alot of good info!

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