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06/13/2011, 12:19 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New Port Richey, FL
Posts: 59
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BioBalls...Good or Bad? Tell me what you think
I've acquired a bioball filtration for my sump and before I decide to use it or not I thought I would ask the people who have experience with this product...So yay or nay?
Chris 
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90 gallon Aggressive Tank with 25 gallon sump, housing "Aslan the Lionfish" and Chance the Yellow tang who thinks he is a lionfish :) |
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06/13/2011, 07:13 AM
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#2 |
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OLDGUY-OG
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Posts: 2,645
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Just old school. They work but are nitrate factories.
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Chuck |
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06/13/2011, 09:33 AM
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#3 |
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"ship it"
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Tampa/Westchase
Posts: 2,951
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I wouln't use it buddy. Just my opinion. Pretty much out dated and deff. not the best way to go.
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06/13/2011, 09:46 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverview, FL
Posts: 139
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Works great if you want a fish only tank but not so well if you want a reef tank.
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06/13/2011, 11:41 AM
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#5 |
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Just me
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Riverview, Fl
Posts: 1,043
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They work pretty well at converting ammonium into nitrites and nitrites into nitrates but fall short at converting trates into nitrogen gas or back into ammonium.
For that final step of the nitrogen cycle you need low oxygen areas like what's deep in the pores of live rock or a deep sandbed. In those areas anaerobic bacteria grow and help complete the cycle.
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"Wisdom and knowledge is yours to fish" Current Tank Info: 300DD, Elos 90g, 29g QT |
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06/13/2011, 12:05 PM
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#6 |
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Wrasse Whisperer
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Temple Terrace
Posts: 454
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IMO, they trap nitrates more than they help. I removed them from my set-up.
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~Samantha Founder and Former President of the Aquarist Club at USF Current Tank Info: 100 Gallon Mixed Reef Aquarium; 37 Gallon Seahorse Aquarium |
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06/13/2011, 12:13 PM
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#7 |
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SALTWATER since '73
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Katonah, NY/ San Fernando Ca./ Sea Isle City NJ
Posts: 6,210
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not worth the potential problems!
.
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______________________________________ Jan. '11 TOTM Manhattan Reefs Current Tank Info: 500g & 200g acrylic DTs/2 separate reef systems |
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06/13/2011, 12:19 PM
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#8 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 628
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Quote:
There are better ways to remove proteins before the cycle like protein skimmers and algae filtration which will remove proteins before aerobic bacteria convert them to nitrates.
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Tank of the Month Reefkeeping Magazine 11/2008 Current Tank Info: Reef 125 gal, Aquapod 12gal, 55 planted |
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06/13/2011, 05:16 PM
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#9 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa
Posts: 182
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I've got a wet/dry on my 60 gallon reef and last time I checked my nitrates, they were at zero. I have added some caulepra to the display, maybe that's why? By the way, Marine Warehouse uses bioballs and their corals look great.
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125 gallon reef, Eschopps 150 skimmer, 50 gallon sump, 3 175 watt mh, 1/3 hp chiller, 58 gallon tank just recently set up. One cool wife. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon,45 gallon sump,eshopps 150 skimmer, ans so on,so on |
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06/13/2011, 05:55 PM
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#10 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Oldsmar, Fl.
Posts: 1,161
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John Reiter - Dispenser of a popular and economical drink mix. THE Fish Nazi. “Because I'm hard you will not like me, but the more you hate me the more you will learn!” – Gunnery Sgt. Hartman Current Tank Info: Way more than yours. |
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06/13/2011, 06:38 PM
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#11 | |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lutz, Florida
Posts: 4,007
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Quote:
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Sue Proud member of Reef Vision's Community Current Tank Info: 300g reef, 65g seahorse,pipefish, shrimpfish. |
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06/13/2011, 06:41 PM
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#12 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Oldsmar, Fl.
Posts: 1,161
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^the whole "bio-balls are bad mmkay?"
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John Reiter - Dispenser of a popular and economical drink mix. THE Fish Nazi. “Because I'm hard you will not like me, but the more you hate me the more you will learn!” – Gunnery Sgt. Hartman Current Tank Info: Way more than yours. |
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06/13/2011, 07:01 PM
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#13 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Lutz, Florida
Posts: 4,007
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Lets
 bad bad bio-balls!
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Sue Proud member of Reef Vision's Community Current Tank Info: 300g reef, 65g seahorse,pipefish, shrimpfish. |
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06/14/2011, 07:36 PM
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#14 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 142
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Had problems with nitrates till I took my bioballs out. For what it's worth.
Kevin 
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06/16/2011, 06:38 AM
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#15 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New Port Richey, FL
Posts: 59
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Thanks everyone for the advice, I didn't mean to beat that dead horse more LOL! At least I can take out the bio balls and extend my sump with the acrylic tank.
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90 gallon Aggressive Tank with 25 gallon sump, housing "Aslan the Lionfish" and Chance the Yellow tang who thinks he is a lionfish :) |
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| bio balls, bioballs |
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