Bioball - Z

newreefbishop · 07/12/2006, 03:24 PM

Ok so i have been reading and reading and reading.....Some people say get rid of bioballs some say leave em just watch Nitrate levels, can I get some opinions....I mean I have em now and nitrates are at are pretty low at last test, dont have any fish, just lots of live rock 70 pounds, in a 65 gallon tank with a refugium, and 2 damsels, and some softies.....

Like I said Nitrates are low so far.....some advice please...

ttomkat1 · 07/12/2006, 03:39 PM

I am currently using bio-balls and hate them!

They collect alot of debris and they can leak nitrates back into the system. They basically are to provide benifical bacteria for the denitrification process, but that can easily be done through live rock.

My 2 cents,

---ttomkat1

Eron · 07/12/2006, 03:49 PM

I had them for 3 years, always had great water conditions, got rid of them and replaced them with a large/deep sand bed and no difference nitrate wise.

kau_cinta_ku · 07/12/2006, 03:50 PM

i agree you have enough LR in your system to handle your bioload i would also ditch the bioballs now before they become a nitrate factory

newreefbishop · 07/12/2006, 05:00 PM

basically doesnt fuge soak up excess nitrates? Honestly I kinda have em as part bacteria house and part noise baffle.....(my wife doesnt want to hear a peep out of tank)

I have watched nitrates and they stay contantly low.....

s3aL · 07/12/2006, 05:33 PM

I use bio-balls in my sump baffles to reduce microbubbles. Works great and have no nitrate issues yet.

mikeatjac · 07/12/2006, 05:38 PM

With your LR you do not need them or the worries.

goda · 07/12/2006, 06:01 PM

blablabla.... the same amount of nitrate will beformed with or without the balls.. ( if you keep the same aamount of lr that is)

id keep the balls because they help keep the tank temp down by making more surface area.
i had ball in my old tank. i have them inmy new tank as a buble trap and soon i will have them as part of a water cooling tower.
no probloms with them ever. baraly any junk build up ( i had more on overflow pipe then on the balls

07/12/2006, 03:24 PM	#1
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Bioball - Z Ok so i have been reading and reading and reading.....Some people say get rid of bioballs some say leave em just watch Nitrate levels, can I get some opinions....I mean I have em now and nitrates are at are pretty low at last test, dont have any fish, just lots of live rock 70 pounds, in a 65 gallon tank with a refugium, and 2 damsels, and some softies..... Like I said Nitrates are low so far.....some advice please... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

07/12/2006, 03:39 PM	#2
ttomkat1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sunny So. Cal Posts: 227	I am currently using bio-balls and hate them! They collect alot of debris and they can leak nitrates back into the system. They basically are to provide benifical bacteria for the denitrification process, but that can easily be done through live rock. My 2 cents, ---ttomkat1 __________________ "You can observe alot just by watching" -Yogi Berra Current Tank Info: 120AGA, 110lbs LR, 25g sump, 10g fuge. Keeping Zoas, Mixed SPS/LPS

07/12/2006, 05:00 PM	#5
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	basically doesnt fuge soak up excess nitrates? Honestly I kinda have em as part bacteria house and part noise baffle.....(my wife doesnt want to hear a peep out of tank) I have watched nitrates and they stay contantly low..... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

07/12/2006, 05:33 PM	#6
s3aL Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fairfield, California Posts: 847	I use bio-balls in my sump baffles to reduce microbubbles. Works great and have no nitrate issues yet. __________________ 58g oceanic (36x18x21) 36" Aquatinics 2x175w MH 2x39w T5 Deltec MCE600 3x Koralia 3's Litermeter3 Dual stage Ranco controller Matt

07/12/2006, 05:38 PM	#7
mikeatjac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 2,433	With your LR you do not need them or the worries. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 525 - BK 160- G5 Blue - GHL

07/12/2006, 03:49 PM	#3
Eron Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Springfield, Missouri Posts: 116	I had them for 3 years, always had great water conditions, got rid of them and replaced them with a large/deep sand bed and no difference nitrate wise.

07/12/2006, 03:50 PM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	i agree you have enough LR in your system to handle your bioload i would also ditch the bioballs now before they become a nitrate factory

07/12/2006, 06:01 PM	#8
goda Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: fortlauderdale florida area Posts: 1,874	blablabla.... the same amount of nitrate will beformed with or without the balls.. ( if you keep the same aamount of lr that is) id keep the balls because they help keep the tank temp down by making more surface area. i had ball in my old tank. i have them inmy new tank as a buble trap and soon i will have them as part of a water cooling tower. no probloms with them ever. baraly any junk build up ( i had more on overflow pipe then on the balls