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opinion on bio balls

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by sblomgren, Oct 17, 2010.

  1. sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

    424
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0

    So I bought a used set-up.  When I bought it it had bio-balls (i believe that is what they are called, eg. plastic balls with lots of surface area for collecting floating particles) anyways, it had them in the overflows and also in the sump.  In some of my conversations as well as observations I am wondering if these are a good choice for reef filtration.  I noticed alot of people are not running them.  Anyone have any educated opinions?  Thanks,
     
  2. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    I think you'll find the overwhelming consensus is that bio-balls will contribute to higher nitrates for exactly the reason you mention, they will trap particles of detritus which will break down into nitrates. Many people remove the bio-balls and convert part of the sump into a refugium to grow macro-algae to help take up nitrates.

    HTH!
     
  3. adampottebaum

    adampottebaum Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +19 / 0 / -0
    I used to use them in my sump, right before the return pump, but I jammed them in between the baffles so that they were under the water line and above the bottom of the U-like chamber of the baffle. It worked great as a copepod factory! I used a fine filter sock for water running into the sump, so the bio balls weren't collecting any of the fish poop.

    Hope this helps(if it makes sense).
     
  4. jtesdall

    jtesdall Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Nope, more hassle than they are worth. If you clean them regularly in tank water you're OK. But if you don't they are nitrate factories.
     
  5. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Sean,
    I think you already know what I think! But, I should add that they were originally "designed" to work in a wet/dry trickle system. If you wanted to use them, I would set them up as a wet dry instead of fully submerged /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  6. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    I think they can work good in the right conditions.

    In an overflow they are a food & detrius trap. However if you use them as intended with filtered water running over them they can be a great place for bacteria to do their thing.

    I use them as adam does, submerges in my fuge for pod factories.
     
  7. REEFer Madness

    REEFer Madness Inactive User

    867
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    They are nitrate factories because what has been said they are great for converting ammonia to nitrates, but have too much oxygen to complete the process thus not having enough anaerobic bacteria. If you have a lot of big pieces of rock, 15lbs each, then you might beable to have them right after the bioballs.
     
  8. Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

    524
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    Tanks without LR they work great. But reefs and fowlr they are not needed. Your LR is all you need.
     
  9. fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

    596
    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    I'm pretty sure, feel free to correct me, but these wet/dry with the bioballs were designed for freshwater set-ups rather than marine. But keep answering as I have one that came with a RR 90 gal I stole at an auction....[​IMG]
     
  10. Big John

    Big John Inactive User

    966
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I always thought the same thing Fishyness, Set ups for freshwater.
     

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