switch from bio balls to socks?

boatguy · 07/09/2011, 09:56 AM

I think I would like to get rid of my bio balls. I am hoping to get better filtering out of socks. The dilemma is that I cannot detect any nitrates,nitrites or amonia and I do not want a spike because I took the balls out. I am pretty sure that my live rock and sand bed are doing the work but not 100% sure. Has any body else made the switch? Are you happier with filter socks?
My system is real simple
-drilled drain on each end of tank (72" long)
-filter floss mat
-bioballs
-reef octopus skimmer
-2 power heads in sump pumping back to tank

Thanks

Gary Majchrzak · 07/09/2011, 10:08 AM

bioballs are part of a biological filter and filter socks are a mechanical filter.
Liverock and the sandbed are also biological filters.

This is a case where I would remove the bioballs and replace them with a filter sock so you have both biological filtration (via your LR) and mechanical filtration (with the filter sock).

boatguy · 07/09/2011, 10:11 AM

Thank you for the advice. Should I just take them out all at once or do I need to yank a few at a time?

Gary Majchrzak · 07/09/2011, 10:54 AM

removing a few at a time is safest

0 tds · 07/09/2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary majchrzak

removing a few at a time is safest

+1

07/09/2011, 09:56 AM	#1
boatguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Augustine Posts: 173	switch from bio balls to socks? I think I would like to get rid of my bio balls. I am hoping to get better filtering out of socks. The dilemma is that I cannot detect any nitrates,nitrites or amonia and I do not want a spike because I took the balls out. I am pretty sure that my live rock and sand bed are doing the work but not 100% sure. Has any body else made the switch? Are you happier with filter socks? My system is real simple -drilled drain on each end of tank (72" long) -filter floss mat -bioballs -reef octopus skimmer -2 power heads in sump pumping back to tank Thanks __________________ Former Member Tampa Bay Reef Club but Moved to St. Augustine 48 Gallon glass tank, mixed reef. Love to learn prone to jump the gun. Current Tank Info: 48 Gal long

07/09/2011, 10:08 AM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	bioballs and filter socks perform very different functions bioballs are part of a biological filter and filter socks are a mechanical filter. Liverock and the sandbed are also biological filters. This is a case where I would remove the bioballs and replace them with a filter sock so you have both biological filtration (via your LR) and mechanical filtration (with the filter sock). __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

07/09/2011, 10:11 AM	#3
boatguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Augustine Posts: 173	Thank you for the advice. Should I just take them out all at once or do I need to yank a few at a time? __________________ Former Member Tampa Bay Reef Club but Moved to St. Augustine 48 Gallon glass tank, mixed reef. Love to learn prone to jump the gun. Current Tank Info: 48 Gal long

07/09/2011, 10:54 AM	#4
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	removing a few at a time is safest __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

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