Replace bio balls with Matrix?

Groovebox303 · 03/04/2013, 11:07 PM

Hi,
I have a 75 gallon aquarium and have about 80 lbs of live rock in there, I have about 7 fish mostly small, I feed only once a day.

Blue tang -2.5"
Yellow Tang - 3"
Coral Beauty - 3"
Royal Gramma - 2"
Percula Clown * 2 -1.5"
and 1 small chromis

I have a 20L Sump, have bio balls in the wet dry filter and recently put in an octopus NWB-110 skimmer which so far hasnt pulled a whole lot but might be because my salinity was lower (am raising it now). I do 10-20% water changes every 2 weeks and try to vacuum the sandbed but my nitrates are still around 20-30ppm. I have a couple of questions regarding that and some other stuff

1) I was recommended to take out the bio balls in the wet/dry and replace it with Seachem's matrix by the LFS. He told me to put the 4L bucket of Matrix and take out the bio balls. does this seem like a good way to lower nitrates permanently?

2) I have a few hermits and snails but am thinking about ordering a CUC from reefCleaners.org. Any recommendations for CUC, what snails helped with detritus/nitrates for someone? would love your feedback.

3) I have a Koralia 1050 and 1400 on the opposite sides of tank but since my rock is stacked high im not sure the water flow is all around even though i have read about that much flow being enough for a 75 gallon, will be getting into LPS should i add another Koralia 1050?

4) Can i do another Dwarf angel? what would get along with the Coral beauty? something colorful and not too aggressive hopefully?

5) I really like Wrasses from the thassolma genus (Banana wrasse/Pinkface/Red Corris wrasse/Goldbar wrasse) Will any one of these be ok in my tank? if anyone has had experience with keeping these in a reef tank please let me know thanks

Thanks for all your help and insight!

Terrance · 03/05/2013, 12:39 AM

1. Matrix is not that much better than bioballs, so its not worth it IMO. I will be using Matrix in my sump, but the Matrix is left over supplies from converting from freshwater monster fish tank to reef.
2. I don't like having a large group of cleanup crew since I feel like they don't help that much. Thats just me though. Ideally, I want 2 cleaner shrimps for my 120g. I think you should feed less and try to add a refugium or algae turf scrubber.
3. Many LPS likes low to moderate flow. Add another powerhead if you think there is areas with very little flow.
4. no advise
5. no advise

alton · 03/05/2013, 06:23 AM

1. No. I have used Bio balls and before that bio bale for 22 years. When I had my 200 which was set up for 10+ years my nitrates where below 5ppm. One thing though Bio balls work better in a trickle style tower versus laying in a aquarium turned into sump. Also you need to have a filter pad over the top of your bio balls collecting waste.
3. Depending on what type of LPS you are getting, all you need is a steady slow current across your tank.

To get nitrates down try adding softy corals like GSP, Kenyan Trees, and Xenia. Also you can add a fuge to your system and plumb it in to your existing sump that contains algae like chaeto and others.
Make sure your water change water has 0 nitrates before doing a water change.

03/04/2013, 11:07 PM	#1
Groovebox303 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 16	Replace bio balls with Matrix? Hi, I have a 75 gallon aquarium and have about 80 lbs of live rock in there, I have about 7 fish mostly small, I feed only once a day. Blue tang -2.5" Yellow Tang - 3" Coral Beauty - 3" Royal Gramma - 2" Percula Clown * 2 -1.5" and 1 small chromis I have a 20L Sump, have bio balls in the wet dry filter and recently put in an octopus NWB-110 skimmer which so far hasnt pulled a whole lot but might be because my salinity was lower (am raising it now). I do 10-20% water changes every 2 weeks and try to vacuum the sandbed but my nitrates are still around 20-30ppm. I have a couple of questions regarding that and some other stuff 1) I was recommended to take out the bio balls in the wet/dry and replace it with Seachem's matrix by the LFS. He told me to put the 4L bucket of Matrix and take out the bio balls. does this seem like a good way to lower nitrates permanently? 2) I have a few hermits and snails but am thinking about ordering a CUC from reefCleaners.org. Any recommendations for CUC, what snails helped with detritus/nitrates for someone? would love your feedback. 3) I have a Koralia 1050 and 1400 on the opposite sides of tank but since my rock is stacked high im not sure the water flow is all around even though i have read about that much flow being enough for a 75 gallon, will be getting into LPS should i add another Koralia 1050? 4) Can i do another Dwarf angel? what would get along with the Coral beauty? something colorful and not too aggressive hopefully? 5) I really like Wrasses from the thassolma genus (Banana wrasse/Pinkface/Red Corris wrasse/Goldbar wrasse) Will any one of these be ok in my tank? if anyone has had experience with keeping these in a reef tank please let me know thanks Thanks for all your help and insight! Last edited by Groovebox303; 03/04/2013 at 11:22 PM.

03/05/2013, 12:39 AM	#2
Terrance Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 352	1. Matrix is not that much better than bioballs, so its not worth it IMO. I will be using Matrix in my sump, but the Matrix is left over supplies from converting from freshwater monster fish tank to reef. 2. I don't like having a large group of cleanup crew since I feel like they don't help that much. Thats just me though. Ideally, I want 2 cleaner shrimps for my 120g. I think you should feed less and try to add a refugium or algae turf scrubber. 3. Many LPS likes low to moderate flow. Add another powerhead if you think there is areas with very little flow. 4. no advise 5. no advise __________________ Kind regards, Terrance Current Tank Info: None

03/05/2013, 06:23 AM	#3
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	1. No. I have used Bio balls and before that bio bale for 22 years. When I had my 200 which was set up for 10+ years my nitrates where below 5ppm. One thing though Bio balls work better in a trickle style tower versus laying in a aquarium turned into sump. Also you need to have a filter pad over the top of your bio balls collecting waste. 3. Depending on what type of LPS you are getting, all you need is a steady slow current across your tank. To get nitrates down try adding softy corals like GSP, Kenyan Trees, and Xenia. Also you can add a fuge to your system and plumb it in to your existing sump that contains algae like chaeto and others. Make sure your water change water has 0 nitrates before doing a water change.