Bio Balls

Ajae · 01/11/2016, 01:34 PM

My system has been running for 9 months now I'm thinking of adding bio balls to my sump. Question is where in the sump/chamber will they go in, the return pump or in the bubble trap section?

ReefWreak · 01/11/2016, 01:37 PM

Unless you have done the research and have a very specific reason for adding them, I would highly recommend NOT adding them.

If you do insist on adding them, be sure to add them AFTER a filtration media, so they do not collect any detritus in them.

But I can't stress enough, that you are best off NOT adding them at all.

chimmike · 01/11/2016, 01:47 PM

+1. Don't do it.

just say no! bioballs are old school and proven detriuts/debris/nitrate factories.

scooter31707 · 01/11/2016, 01:48 PM

Usually, they would go under some filter media in a wet/dry system where the flow is trickling down over them. I agree bio-balls become nirate factories. About just adding small pieces of rock/rubble of live rock.

ReefWreak · 01/11/2016, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chimmike

+1. Don't do it.

just say no! bioballs are old school and proven detriuts/debris/nitrate factories.

They have a time and a place. They are still very helpful in a fish-only tank with bleached coral, as they will provide the biological backbone for a system like that. They are not useful when your system is utilizing liverock and livesand in an appropriately (and even inappropriately, just not EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATELY) stocked aquarium. There is plenty of surface area on liverock and live sand for nitrification to take place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter31707

Usually, they would go under some filter media in a wet/dry system where the flow is trickling down over them. I agree bio-balls become nirate factories. About just adding small pieces of rock/rubble of live rock.

Honestly, in a tank with a reasonable amount of liverock and live sand, I wouldn't even use rubble, as it will also accumulate detritus, and it's a pain to move it all to siphon out detritus from around it. The accumulation of detritus is the almost invisible bane of the hobby. Utilizing high flow and few places for it to accumulate (or a dedicated settling area/chamber that gets regularly siphoned) is the best way to keep nutrients low.

Ajae · 01/11/2016, 02:10 PM

Ok, so looks like I won't be adding them to the system, it's a 70 gallon with 30 sump. everything is going good now and I just thought they would provide support, but looks like they would do more harm than good. Thanks guys.

Sk8r · 01/11/2016, 04:05 PM

If you need more nitrate processing, there are ways to do that. If you'll specify the parameter you'd like to adjust we can be more specific on what to do.

undbulsu · 01/11/2016, 04:27 PM

Mainly to seed my quarantine/hospital tank when I need it. Might be something to look at as opposed to bio-ballshttp://www.cermedia.com/marinepure-products.php

01/11/2016, 01:34 PM	#1
Ajae Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 171	Bio Balls My system has been running for 9 months now I'm thinking of adding bio balls to my sump. Question is where in the sump/chamber will they go in, the return pump or in the bubble trap section?

01/11/2016, 01:47 PM	#3
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	+1. Don't do it. just say no! bioballs are old school and proven detriuts/debris/nitrate factories. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

01/11/2016, 04:05 PM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you need more nitrate processing, there are ways to do that. If you'll specify the parameter you'd like to adjust we can be more specific on what to do. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/11/2016, 04:27 PM	#8
undbulsu Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 97	I keep the Marine Pure spheres in my sump. Mainly to seed my quarantine/hospital tank when I need it. Might be something to look at as opposed to bio-ballshttp://www.cermedia.com/marinepure-products.php __________________ Red Sea Reefer 450, Geisemann Aurora, Vertex 150 Skimmer. Just getting started. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 450, Geisemann aurora, Vertex 150

01/11/2016, 01:37 PM	#2
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Unless you have done the research and have a very specific reason for adding them, I would highly recommend NOT adding them. If you do insist on adding them, be sure to add them AFTER a filtration media, so they do not collect any detritus in them. But I can't stress enough, that you are best off NOT adding them at all.

01/11/2016, 01:48 PM	#4
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Usually, they would go under some filter media in a wet/dry system where the flow is trickling down over them. I agree bio-balls become nirate factories. About just adding small pieces of rock/rubble of live rock.

01/11/2016, 02:10 PM	#6
Ajae Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 171	Ok, so looks like I won't be adding them to the system, it's a 70 gallon with 30 sump. everything is going good now and I just thought they would provide support, but looks like they would do more harm than good. Thanks guys.