Bio balls?

[Blazer88]

I have been having some problems with alge (GHA) and had my LFS test my water (my test kit was in question). They told me my phophates were off the chart and my nitrate were elevated. I've been racking my brain trying to cure this and have since added PhosGuard, which has helped. But this leaves me with the problem of high nitrates. I have a 30G with an area of about 8"x8"x8" of bio balls in my sump. Should I remove the bio balls and place some of my extra LR in the sump instead? I have my tank filled with LR and wouldn't mind to move some of it down to the sump. Bad idea or good?

 

[Kensn]

I'll chime in. From what I have read the Bio-balls are a factory for undesirables. If you do decide to remove them, do it slowly over a matter of a few weeks so the live rock can adjust to the bioload.

Ken

 

[wrightme43]

I believe Ken has you taken care of. I have a whole stryo cooler full of bioballs or cat toys.

 

[Blazer88]

Out they go...slowly. What about putting some LR down there? I have a few extra pieces that I wouldn't mind to get out of my tank since it is taking up too much space.

 

[NaH2O]

Is the extra LR coming from the same system? (i.e. in the display...you are just moving down to the sump) If so, it won't provide any extra filtration than is already present. If the rock is extra from another set-up then it will provide additional filtration. How much total live rock do you think you have? It certainly sounds like removing the bioballs will be helpful, but you should also look to other sources, especially since the phosphates were elevated. Are you using RO/DI water? What does your pre-mixed water test for, as far as Nitrates and Phosphates? How much are you feeding? How often are you doing water changes? Are you skimming?

 

[Blazer88]

The LR is from the same system. I'm guessing I have 30+ lbs. of LR as my tank is pretty full of it. I am using RO/DI water and it tested zero for phosphates and Nitrates by my LFS. I'm feeding my clown a pinch of flake food daily and the small grouper gets either some Mysis or Krill shrimp twice a week. I've been doing about 10% water changes weekly as I've been trying to clear up my tank for alge and it has been showing good improvements. I think my tank went all out of whack because when I bought the tank we moved the whole system, which really stirred up the DSB and I started to get huge alge blooms. I'm also planning on adding a refugium within the next few weeks. And I do have a skimmer in my sump.

 

[tasos]

I think (with little experience) that if the display tank is heavily packed with LR you can move some to the sump in order to eliminate the dead spots between the LR.You will have better results this way.Good blowing of the rest of the LR in also essencial to keep nitrates low .