What should I replace bioballs with?

Salt Convert · 05/06/2009, 11:41 AM

I have a 29 gal biocube that's been running for about 3 months without the bioballs, but with nothing to replace them in the bioball cavity. What, if anything, should I put back there? Thanks!

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/06/2009, 11:44 AM

I'm not familiar with that model aquarium, how much space do you have to work with? Is it well lit?

Entropy · 05/06/2009, 11:53 AM

You could always go with rubble (little pieces of live rock). IMO there is nothing wrong with leaving the chamber empty either.

Whys · 05/06/2009, 12:26 PM

Bionicballs.

reeftivo · 05/06/2009, 12:31 PM

The small pieces of live rock (rubble) will help increase your biological filtration and as noted above, if your rear chamber is big enough and has good flow you may be able to convert it into a refugium where you can harvest good algae and copepods/amphi's. This will literally clean your tank of unwanted nutrients/nitrogenous compounds and also can help feed your tank. If you don't opt for either then as stated by Entropy, you can leave it empty which gives you room for other options (i.e. pumps etc.) later down the road. You may also want to use the chamber for media such as GFO (granular ferric oxide) or carbon.
The GFO will remove phosphates and silicates which are algaes best friend. Carbon will help clarify your tank but will also remove some beneficial nutrients as well so you may want to use carbon periodically. If carbon is used 24/7 then you may want to use a good supplement once or twice a week depending on your bio load.

Hope that helps.

aquamanSD · 05/06/2009, 01:04 PM

I'd have to say if you use anything at all to put some live rock rubble in too...

Aquarist007 · 05/06/2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by reeftivo
The small pieces of live rock (rubble) will help increase your biological filtration and as noted above, if your rear chamber is big enough and has good flow you may be able to convert it into a refugium where you can harvest good algae and copepods/amphi's. This will literally clean your tank of unwanted nutrients/nitrogenous compounds and also can help feed your tank. If you don't opt for either then as stated by Entropy, you can leave it empty which gives you room for other options (i.e. pumps etc.) later down the road. You may also want to use the chamber for media such as GFO (granular ferric oxide) or carbon.
The GFO will remove phosphates and silicates which are algaes best friend. Carbon will help clarify your tank but will also remove some beneficial nutrients as well so you may want to use carbon periodically. If carbon is used 24/7 then you may want to use a good supplement once or twice a week depending on your bio load.

Hope that helps.

+1 I would run carbon in a bag in that filter. GFO needs some space above it to slightly heave so it is more effeciently run in a reactor such as Two Little Fishes phosban reactor.

romsoccer12 · 05/06/2009, 01:47 PM

i also have the 29gal biocube i took the bioballs out and put a 65watt full spectrum bulb over where the bioballs should be and put some liverock and sand with some algae and a small cuc. It does a better job than the bioballs and helps the flow so the water doesnt go over the overflow thing into the back

joemck · 05/06/2009, 02:54 PM

Had a 34 RSM and I put ruble and charcoal in mine in place of the BB.

05/06/2009, 11:41 AM	#1
Salt Convert Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 38	What should I replace bioballs with? I have a 29 gal biocube that's been running for about 3 months without the bioballs, but with nothing to replace them in the bioball cavity. What, if anything, should I put back there? Thanks!

05/06/2009, 11:44 AM	#2
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	I'm not familiar with that model aquarium, how much space do you have to work with? Is it well lit? __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/06/2009, 11:53 AM	#3
Entropy Texas Reefer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 13,656	You could always go with rubble (little pieces of live rock). IMO there is nothing wrong with leaving the chamber empty either. __________________ Rich Overton 150G cube FOWLR, 30g sump, ReefKeeperII, 3x Koralia 1400's, QuiteOne 3000, Reef Octopus DNWB150, 4x 30w Par38 LED. Current Tank Info: 36x36x27 150g

05/06/2009, 12:31 PM	#5
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	The small pieces of live rock (rubble) will help increase your biological filtration and as noted above, if your rear chamber is big enough and has good flow you may be able to convert it into a refugium where you can harvest good algae and copepods/amphi's. This will literally clean your tank of unwanted nutrients/nitrogenous compounds and also can help feed your tank. If you don't opt for either then as stated by Entropy, you can leave it empty which gives you room for other options (i.e. pumps etc.) later down the road. You may also want to use the chamber for media such as GFO (granular ferric oxide) or carbon. The GFO will remove phosphates and silicates which are algaes best friend. Carbon will help clarify your tank but will also remove some beneficial nutrients as well so you may want to use carbon periodically. If carbon is used 24/7 then you may want to use a good supplement once or twice a week depending on your bio load. Hope that helps. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

05/06/2009, 01:04 PM	#6
aquamanSD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South Dakota Posts: 168	I'd have to say if you use anything at all to put some live rock rubble in too... __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: 380 Gallon, 240 sump, 4x400 MH, vho actinics, MRC Skimmer, 1/2hp chiller, Tunze's

05/06/2009, 12:26 PM	#4
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	Bionicballs.

05/06/2009, 01:47 PM	#8
romsoccer12 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ohio Posts: 2,625	i also have the 29gal biocube i took the bioballs out and put a 65watt full spectrum bulb over where the bioballs should be and put some liverock and sand with some algae and a small cuc. It does a better job than the bioballs and helps the flow so the water doesnt go over the overflow thing into the back __________________ Colin R Current Tank Info: 3rd tank working fine!(29gal oceanic biocube) 5-6months old

05/06/2009, 02:54 PM	#9
joemck Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 6	Had a 34 RSM and I put ruble and charcoal in mine in place of the BB. __________________ Forgive Instantly. Current Tank Info: 65 RR