How fast can I remove my bio-balls from sump?

v8maro · 05/24/2006, 01:49 PM

Ok, I have a HUGE nitrate problem.
I have 2 reasons for this, and I am taking steps to fix it.
1) bio-ball wet/dry sump.
2) crushed coral substrate.

For the first problem, I bought a fuge sump, but now I have to convert over to it. To do so I need to 'ween' the system off of the bio balls (I have 45lbs of LR in the system right now), I am hoping the LR in the system will suffice until the fuge is in. Do you think I should just switch over or do I have to do it slowly?
My levels are pretty off and i'm surprised anything is alive, the critters i have are actually doing quite well for thier conditions.
I'd say my nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all out of control.
I do weekly water changes with no help.
I have been feeding every other day AND reduced feeding amount and only pellets, no luck.
I do have a skimmer and it is producing.

For my second problem, the cc, I am going to tear down the tank and remove the cc substrate and replace with a fine sand.

Any thoughts?

Sk8r · 05/24/2006, 01:52 PM

I'd say about 3 a day.

v8maro · 05/24/2006, 01:55 PM

ugh thats going to take forever, but patience pays off in this hobby.

Lost_N_Space · 05/24/2006, 01:56 PM

Is there any chance that you are having false readings by additives such as Vital Reef DNA, Coral Vital, etc..?

I have a very simular set up and havn't had problems but that doesn't mean I am not headed in the same direction you are in now. The only problems I've had in the last few months has been Ich.

Brian

v8maro · 05/24/2006, 01:58 PM

no, i dont use those suppliments at all.

One of my main reasons for this is my brown cc, every day there is an algea film growing on the bottom, even yellow in some spots. I'm sure more flow wouldnt hurt either.

GTR · 05/24/2006, 02:07 PM

When I took mine out ten years ago from a system I did half one day the rest a week later. If I needed to do it again in a mature system with plenty of LR I think I'd just pull them all at once and not feed for a couple days. Don't make any other changes or stir things up and I think you'll be fine. Just don't pull the balls and then rebuild the tank all in one shot.

SteveU

blue20051 · 05/24/2006, 03:30 PM

i took out 10 bioballs every 2 days.

05/24/2006, 01:49 PM	#1
v8maro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 386	How fast can I remove my bio-balls from sump? Ok, I have a HUGE nitrate problem. I have 2 reasons for this, and I am taking steps to fix it. 1) bio-ball wet/dry sump. 2) crushed coral substrate. For the first problem, I bought a fuge sump, but now I have to convert over to it. To do so I need to 'ween' the system off of the bio balls (I have 45lbs of LR in the system right now), I am hoping the LR in the system will suffice until the fuge is in. Do you think I should just switch over or do I have to do it slowly? My levels are pretty off and i'm surprised anything is alive, the critters i have are actually doing quite well for thier conditions. I'd say my nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all out of control. I do weekly water changes with no help. I have been feeding every other day AND reduced feeding amount and only pellets, no luck. I do have a skimmer and it is producing. For my second problem, the cc, I am going to tear down the tank and remove the cc substrate and replace with a fine sand. Any thoughts?

05/24/2006, 01:52 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd say about 3 a day. __________________ 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%.

05/24/2006, 01:56 PM	#4
Lost_N_Space Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Mexico - USA Posts: 22	Is there any chance that you are having false readings by additives such as Vital Reef DNA, Coral Vital, etc..? I have a very simular set up and havn't had problems but that doesn't mean I am not headed in the same direction you are in now. The only problems I've had in the last few months has been Ich. Brian __________________ The more I learn the more I realize I don't know.... Current Tank Info: 115 Gal Reef Tank

05/24/2006, 02:07 PM	#6
GTR Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Twin Falls, ID Posts: 7,152	When I took mine out ten years ago from a system I did half one day the rest a week later. If I needed to do it again in a mature system with plenty of LR I think I'd just pull them all at once and not feed for a couple days. Don't make any other changes or stir things up and I think you'll be fine. Just don't pull the balls and then rebuild the tank all in one shot. SteveU __________________ AKA, Riff

05/24/2006, 01:55 PM	#3
v8maro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 386	ugh thats going to take forever, but patience pays off in this hobby.

05/24/2006, 01:58 PM	#5
v8maro Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 386	no, i dont use those suppliments at all. One of my main reasons for this is my brown cc, every day there is an algea film growing on the bottom, even yellow in some spots. I'm sure more flow wouldnt hurt either.

05/24/2006, 03:30 PM	#7
blue20051 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: usa Posts: 200	i took out 10 bioballs every 2 days.