Bioball question

WDLV · 02/02/2012, 12:29 PM

If bioballs are in a vessel where they are submerged for a minute and exposed to air for a minute or some similar cycle would the bacteria population be significantly adversely affected or improved?

kaipo13 · 02/02/2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDLV

If bioballs are in a vessel where they are submerged for a minute and exposed to air for a minute or some similar cycle would the bacteria population be significantly adversely affected or improved?

Would probably work very well as long as they weren't allowed to get too cold/hot or get too dry.

Whatever bacteria you cultivate is temperature sensitive to your system, and providing that they are aerobic (which most [if not all]in aquarium systems are,) and are not allowed to completely dry out or be exposed to air for too long; they should survive and possibly do very well. You might have to adjust your system to maximize efficiency in relation to submerged to exposed time. I'd be interested to see how this works, you should keep a detailed log with test results, etc.

WDLV · 02/02/2012, 03:20 PM

I'm looking about a year out on the system but the basic idea is to fill a CSD with bioballs and allow it to cycle. I don't think they would be permitted to dry out but the air temp would likely change with the seasons. Air has to rush in for the water level to drop.
This thought is a resolution to the problem of an overflow carrying waste into the bioballs. I wanted to put a filter sock above the bioballs but then you have to shorten the tower....

LowersMyBP · 02/02/2012, 03:21 PM

Are you intending to do this to promote bacteria growth or is it in an effort to keep detritus out of the bioballs and thus prevent the 'nitrate factory'?

I'll just add, bacteria out of the water cannot process waste that is IN the water....

EDIT: I see you answered some of my question.

WDLV · 02/02/2012, 04:35 PM

My objective is this:

I plan to run a reef tank with a minimal amount of liverock. So, I'd like to make up for some of the lost processing ability with bioballs. I want to keep detritus out of said bioballs without having to add a separate tower and an extra pump.

I'm looking to promote aerobic bacteria growth in the bioballs and anaerobic bacteria in the liverock. I want to know if anyone knows for sure that short submersions of the bioballs will prohibit aerobic proliferation enough to negate their effectiveness. The surface of the bioballs will never be dry except in the event of a power outage.... at least until I have a generator. I'm thinking I'll use a 55 gallon drum as the CSD/bioball tower with probablly a 30 gallon capacity of bioballs and a Reeflo hammerhead to fill it. So there should be a pretty fast surge and refill cycle.

02/02/2012, 12:29 PM	#1
WDLV Skunk Hybrid Freak Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena, MD. USA Posts: 3,003	Bioball question If bioballs are in a vessel where they are submerged for a minute and exposed to air for a minute or some similar cycle would the bacteria population be significantly adversely affected or improved? __________________ - Walter D. LaRoque V "The tanks go or I go." - Ex Wife

02/02/2012, 03:20 PM	#3
WDLV Skunk Hybrid Freak Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena, MD. USA Posts: 3,003	I'm looking about a year out on the system but the basic idea is to fill a CSD with bioballs and allow it to cycle. I don't think they would be permitted to dry out but the air temp would likely change with the seasons. Air has to rush in for the water level to drop. This thought is a resolution to the problem of an overflow carrying waste into the bioballs. I wanted to put a filter sock above the bioballs but then you have to shorten the tower.... __________________ - Walter D. LaRoque V "The tanks go or I go." - Ex Wife

02/02/2012, 04:35 PM	#5
WDLV Skunk Hybrid Freak Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Pasadena, MD. USA Posts: 3,003	My objective is this: I plan to run a reef tank with a minimal amount of liverock. So, I'd like to make up for some of the lost processing ability with bioballs. I want to keep detritus out of said bioballs without having to add a separate tower and an extra pump. I'm looking to promote aerobic bacteria growth in the bioballs and anaerobic bacteria in the liverock. I want to know if anyone knows for sure that short submersions of the bioballs will prohibit aerobic proliferation enough to negate their effectiveness. The surface of the bioballs will never be dry except in the event of a power outage.... at least until I have a generator. I'm thinking I'll use a 55 gallon drum as the CSD/bioball tower with probablly a 30 gallon capacity of bioballs and a Reeflo hammerhead to fill it. So there should be a pretty fast surge and refill cycle. __________________ - Walter D. LaRoque V "The tanks go or I go." - Ex Wife

02/02/2012, 03:21 PM	#4
LowersMyBP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 51	Are you intending to do this to promote bacteria growth or is it in an effort to keep detritus out of the bioballs and thus prevent the 'nitrate factory'? I'll just add, bacteria out of the water cannot process waste that is IN the water.... EDIT: I see you answered some of my question.