this skimmer is equipped with bio balls

The Reefer91 · 01/23/2006, 09:21 AM

the http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=AQ1111 is equipped with a small box full of bio balls. would it still be ok to use, i know bio balls are nitrate factorys. maybe i could replace the bio balls with carbon balls?

GregM779 · 01/23/2006, 09:38 AM

Just because people say something it doesn't make it true. I still run bioballs on my reef and many other people also use them. Just keep them from getting dirty and they're beneficial

TekCat · 01/23/2006, 09:41 AM

Bio-balls are designed to house bacteria that break down ammonia and nitrite. LR does the same thing much better. So, if you have at least a pound per gallon, you have an adequate nitrification bacteria in you LR. IMO, lose bio-balls.

Lincutis · 01/23/2006, 09:44 AM

In the skimmer they help to produce smaller bubbles for better protien transport. They should not produce nitrates in the skimmer.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/23/2006, 09:48 AM

Bioballs or any other nonporous material in a filter can contribute to nitrate, although one can certainly have adequate nitrogen export to overcome that effect.

In many downdraft skimmers, there are bioballs, but the flow there is high enough to prevent much bacterial growth.

GregM779 · 01/23/2006, 09:53 AM

I don't think bioballs should be referred to as nitrate factories because it sounds bad. They do most of the work breaking down the nitrite and ammonia into nitrate but if you have enough LR in the tank to complete the process it is beneficial. correct?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/23/2006, 09:55 AM

They do most of the work breaking down the nitrite and ammonia into nitrate but if you have enough LR in the tank to complete the process it is beneficial. correct?

I don't know that they are beneficial, but in cases where there is adequate export to keep nitrate low, then they are not harmful.

74nautique · 01/23/2006, 10:02 AM

I recently took about 1/2 of my bio-balls out and made a LR & caulerpa refuge because I kept having trouble with unstable bio die off or something and hope this will be more stable. I'm just wondering if I should take all the bio-balls out?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/23/2006, 10:08 AM

If you have adequate live rock, and also have a refugium, I doubt the bioballs are doing anything useful.

TekCat · 01/23/2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Holmes-Farley
If you have adequate live rock, and also have a refugium, I doubt the bioballs are doing anything useful.

ditto

74nautique · 01/23/2006, 10:16 AM

Thanks

integlikewhoa · 01/23/2006, 11:29 AM

Loose the balls!

The Reefer91 · 01/23/2006, 11:29 AM

the bio-balls are there to keep microbubbles down. so i'm wondering, could i replace them with carbon balls? or would it still have the same effect?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/23/2006, 11:48 AM

Does your aquarium presently have elevated nitrate?

The Reefer91 · 01/23/2006, 06:51 PM

don't have tank yet

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/24/2006, 02:32 PM

OK, I'd worry about it if the problem arises.

Ludwigia73 · 01/24/2006, 07:52 PM

You guys haven't seen Greg's tank yet... IMO, one of the most gorgeous tanks around, with what most consider a LARGE bioload. He's keeping corals with colors most of us dream about, so when this guy says something works, I just nod my head in approval as if I already knew it. Check out the pics of his tank sometime. Then bow in reverence.

01/23/2006, 09:21 AM	#1
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	this skimmer is equipped with bio balls the http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=AQ1111 is equipped with a small box full of bio balls. would it still be ok to use, i know bio balls are nitrate factorys. maybe i could replace the bio balls with carbon balls?

01/23/2006, 09:38 AM	#2
GregM779 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 1,961	Just because people say something it doesn't make it true. I still run bioballs on my reef and many other people also use them. Just keep them from getting dirty and they're beneficial __________________ Greg Current Tank Info: 125G Reef; SPS, LPS, and Softies; 3x150w 10k HQI MHs, 4x96w PC Actinics, 14 Moonlights; 25w UV Sterilizer; Euroreef Skimmer; Schuran JetStream 1 Calcium Reactor; Sealife Systems Sump; 10g Refugium

01/23/2006, 09:44 AM	#4
Lincutis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Columbus Posts: 1,911	In the skimmer they help to produce smaller bubbles for better protien transport. They should not produce nitrates in the skimmer. __________________ Lindsey ( That's Mr. Smith to you ) . Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder with 20 gallon sump./Apex, AI Sol Blue, In Sump Skimmer, Geo Calcium Reactor, WP-25 Wave Pump, Tunze Nano ATO, Carbon/GFO Reactors

01/23/2006, 09:48 AM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Bioballs or any other nonporous material in a filter can contribute to nitrate, although one can certainly have adequate nitrogen export to overcome that effect. In many downdraft skimmers, there are bioballs, but the flow there is high enough to prevent much bacterial growth. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/23/2006, 09:53 AM	#6
GregM779 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 1,961	I don't think bioballs should be referred to as nitrate factories because it sounds bad. They do most of the work breaking down the nitrite and ammonia into nitrate but if you have enough LR in the tank to complete the process it is beneficial. correct? __________________ Greg Current Tank Info: 125G Reef; SPS, LPS, and Softies; 3x150w 10k HQI MHs, 4x96w PC Actinics, 14 Moonlights; 25w UV Sterilizer; Euroreef Skimmer; Schuran JetStream 1 Calcium Reactor; Sealife Systems Sump; 10g Refugium

01/23/2006, 09:41 AM	#3
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	Bio-balls are designed to house bacteria that break down ammonia and nitrite. LR does the same thing much better. So, if you have at least a pound per gallon, you have an adequate nitrification bacteria in you LR. IMO, lose bio-balls.

01/23/2006, 09:55 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	They do most of the work breaking down the nitrite and ammonia into nitrate but if you have enough LR in the tank to complete the process it is beneficial. correct? I don't know that they are beneficial, but in cases where there is adequate export to keep nitrate low, then they are not harmful. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/23/2006, 10:02 AM	#8
74nautique Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 172	I recently took about 1/2 of my bio-balls out and made a LR & caulerpa refuge because I kept having trouble with unstable bio die off or something and hope this will be more stable. I'm just wondering if I should take all the bio-balls out?

01/23/2006, 10:08 AM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	If you have adequate live rock, and also have a refugium, I doubt the bioballs are doing anything useful. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/23/2006, 10:16 AM	#11
74nautique Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 172	Thanks

01/23/2006, 11:29 AM	#12
integlikewhoa Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 1,381	Loose the balls! __________________ I think of one later. Current Tank Info: 28G JBJ Nano for sale

01/23/2006, 11:48 AM	#14
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Does your aquarium presently have elevated nitrate? __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/23/2006, 06:51 PM	#15
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	don't have tank yet __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

01/24/2006, 02:32 PM	#16
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	OK, I'd worry about it if the problem arises. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/24/2006, 07:52 PM	#17
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	You guys haven't seen Greg's tank yet... IMO, one of the most gorgeous tanks around, with what most consider a LARGE bioload. He's keeping corals with colors most of us dream about, so when this guy says something works, I just nod my head in approval as if I already knew it. Check out the pics of his tank sometime. Then bow in reverence. __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's