Bio-Ball Removal, new-ish(?) setup

sfuzzymagic · 03/03/2007, 12:04 PM

I've got a 46 bowfront, built in overflow into a 10(?)g wet-dry filter. 32 lbs of live rock and 60 pounds of live sand. System's been up for almost 2 months.
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 15ppm
Nitrites 0
PH 8.3

I've got a lawn mower blenny, diamond goby, serpent star fish, sand sifting star fish, 6 reef crab ( 1 cm or so ) and 1 blue legged hermit ( 1 inch or so )

I've got a bag of phosban in W/D under the bioballs that's been in for about 2 weeks

I've been reading that it's generally a good idea to remove the bio-balls due to nitrate production, and I've got a pretty heavy cyano-algae bloom that I'd like to go away.

Is the bloom likely due to it still being a relatively new tank?
Should I remove the bio balls all at once, or a couple at a time?
Is my RedSea Prism HOB skimmer a good skimmer for this system?

reefworm · 03/03/2007, 12:13 PM

I would suggest removing them over a period of a month or so, just to give time for your bacteria populations to adjust. You could probably do it all at once at this early stage - I'm just the cautious type with this hobby. "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."

Welcome to RC!

sfuzzymagic · 03/03/2007, 12:45 PM

That's generally the opinion I've been getting.

Any thoughts on the skimmer?

I'm wondering if I should go to an external sump based skimmer once I get the bio-balls removed.

reefworm · 03/03/2007, 12:59 PM

I'm not familiar w/the RedSea skimmer, so I can't comment there. As far as placement, my skimmer is in the sump. I suppose its more a matter of personal preference. I just wanted the thing out of sight and easier to get to. Seems easier to keep the mini-bubbles out of the tank that way as well.

03/03/2007, 12:04 PM	#1
sfuzzymagic Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 13	Bio-Ball Removal, new-ish(?) setup I've got a 46 bowfront, built in overflow into a 10(?)g wet-dry filter. 32 lbs of live rock and 60 pounds of live sand. System's been up for almost 2 months. Ammonia 0 Nitrates 15ppm Nitrites 0 PH 8.3 I've got a lawn mower blenny, diamond goby, serpent star fish, sand sifting star fish, 6 reef crab ( 1 cm or so ) and 1 blue legged hermit ( 1 inch or so ) I've got a bag of phosban in W/D under the bioballs that's been in for about 2 weeks I've been reading that it's generally a good idea to remove the bio-balls due to nitrate production, and I've got a pretty heavy cyano-algae bloom that I'd like to go away. Is the bloom likely due to it still being a relatively new tank? Should I remove the bio balls all at once, or a couple at a time? Is my RedSea Prism HOB skimmer a good skimmer for this system?

03/03/2007, 12:13 PM	#2
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	I would suggest removing them over a period of a month or so, just to give time for your bacteria populations to adjust. You could probably do it all at once at this early stage - I'm just the cautious type with this hobby. "Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you." Welcome to RC! __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

03/03/2007, 12:59 PM	#4
reefworm Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Waxhaw, NC USA Posts: 2,139	I'm not familiar w/the RedSea skimmer, so I can't comment there. As far as placement, my skimmer is in the sump. I suppose its more a matter of personal preference. I just wanted the thing out of sight and easier to get to. Seems easier to keep the mini-bubbles out of the tank that way as well. __________________ "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 29 gal. reef/assist with 75 gal. at the school

03/03/2007, 12:45 PM	#3
sfuzzymagic Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 13	That's generally the opinion I've been getting. Any thoughts on the skimmer? I'm wondering if I should go to an external sump based skimmer once I get the bio-balls removed.