Refuge & Bioballs?

oldsaltman · 09/18/2006, 01:34 PM

When I first started my tank about 9mos ago I set it up with a 10g DIY filter system with bioballs etc. I recently added a 10g refuge with rock, micro algea and pods. How do I wash or care for the bioballs? I have read many post about removing them but I don't know why? I just want to keep them clean. I have read wash some, wash none, what do you do? Why?

WinkeyWoneye · 09/18/2006, 01:39 PM

Bio-balls are a nitrate trap. Remove them and let the fuge do all your filtering for you. Cleaning them will break down your filtration, but not cleaning them means nitrate trap. Best to remove the bio-balls. Use foam media or a carbon reactor for more/chemical filtration in place of them.

rigleautomotive · 09/18/2006, 01:42 PM

tanks with bio balls tend to run a higher nitrate level than without.that being said if you dont have sps corals or other corals that require very low nutrients than the balls wont hurt.cleaning them only disrupts the bacteria from converting amonia to nitrate until they repopulate the media.running a fuge will reduce nutrients also so it may balance.test nitrates with a good kit and if they are not high than leave them if you want.if nitraters are high remove them and retest a week later.they will be lower.

oldsaltman · 09/18/2006, 01:43 PM

My nitrates have always been zero?

rigleautomotive · 09/18/2006, 01:45 PM

if that is true than it does not matter what you do with the balls,your choice

WinkeyWoneye · 09/18/2006, 01:47 PM

You asked , we answered. Thats what the whole debate is about, nitrates. If you really feel the need to clean them the best I think would be to only clean half of them that way your not breaking down your entire filter. You may not have nitrates now, but if you leave them uncleaned I'm pretty sure you will see a jump in nitrates eventually. But cleaning them can break down the filter so...... I would get rid of them IMO

oldsaltman · 09/18/2006, 01:47 PM

So the only reason to remove the bioballs would be for high nitrates? How do you clean them? I have been washing about 1/3 in saltwater. Is that acceptable or can I wash them all?

oldsaltman · 09/18/2006, 01:49 PM

If they are cleaned regularly there will be no nitrate problem? Is that correct?

WinkeyWoneye · 09/18/2006, 01:50 PM

They can be rinsed in tap water I assume. Shouldnt hurt anything. No soap though

Right if cleaned regularly there shouldnt be any nitrates, but becareful not to clean them too much or you will lose the bacteria's, algaes, and pods that help keep your system clean, aka natural filtration.

09/18/2006, 01:34 PM	#1
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	Refuge & Bioballs? When I first started my tank about 9mos ago I set it up with a 10g DIY filter system with bioballs etc. I recently added a 10g refuge with rock, micro algea and pods. How do I wash or care for the bioballs? I have read many post about removing them but I don't know why? I just want to keep them clean. I have read wash some, wash none, what do you do? Why? __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

09/18/2006, 01:39 PM	#2
WinkeyWoneye Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 318	Bio-balls are a nitrate trap. Remove them and let the fuge do all your filtering for you. Cleaning them will break down your filtration, but not cleaning them means nitrate trap. Best to remove the bio-balls. Use foam media or a carbon reactor for more/chemical filtration in place of them. __________________ CDMAS I suffer from REEFER MADNESS!! Current Tank Info: Oceanic RR 72g Bowfront w/ 20g sump/fuge. Euro-reef CS6-1 skimmer w/gate valve mod. Have a couple SPS corals, many ricordia, zoa's, mushrooms, softies, LPS, and a Rock/flower anemone.

09/18/2006, 01:42 PM	#3
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	tanks with bio balls tend to run a higher nitrate level than without.that being said if you dont have sps corals or other corals that require very low nutrients than the balls wont hurt.cleaning them only disrupts the bacteria from converting amonia to nitrate until they repopulate the media.running a fuge will reduce nutrients also so it may balance.test nitrates with a good kit and if they are not high than leave them if you want.if nitraters are high remove them and retest a week later.they will be lower. __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

09/18/2006, 01:43 PM	#4
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	My nitrates have always been zero? __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

09/18/2006, 01:45 PM	#5
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	if that is true than it does not matter what you do with the balls,your choice __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

09/18/2006, 01:47 PM	#6
WinkeyWoneye Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 318	You asked , we answered. Thats what the whole debate is about, nitrates. If you really feel the need to clean them the best I think would be to only clean half of them that way your not breaking down your entire filter. You may not have nitrates now, but if you leave them uncleaned I'm pretty sure you will see a jump in nitrates eventually. But cleaning them can break down the filter so...... I would get rid of them IMO __________________ CDMAS I suffer from REEFER MADNESS!! Current Tank Info: Oceanic RR 72g Bowfront w/ 20g sump/fuge. Euro-reef CS6-1 skimmer w/gate valve mod. Have a couple SPS corals, many ricordia, zoa's, mushrooms, softies, LPS, and a Rock/flower anemone.

09/18/2006, 01:49 PM	#8
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	If they are cleaned regularly there will be no nitrate problem? Is that correct? __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

09/18/2006, 01:50 PM	#9
WinkeyWoneye Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 318	They can be rinsed in tap water I assume. Shouldnt hurt anything. No soap though Right if cleaned regularly there shouldnt be any nitrates, but becareful not to clean them too much or you will lose the bacteria's, algaes, and pods that help keep your system clean, aka natural filtration. __________________ CDMAS I suffer from REEFER MADNESS!! Current Tank Info: Oceanic RR 72g Bowfront w/ 20g sump/fuge. Euro-reef CS6-1 skimmer w/gate valve mod. Have a couple SPS corals, many ricordia, zoa's, mushrooms, softies, LPS, and a Rock/flower anemone.