Bio Balls friend or foe

[jessesoto33]

Bio Balls, friend or foe, and why?

 

[barometer]

IMO bio balls are nothing but nitrate factories. I find that LR rubble works much better if you want to fill those chambers with something.

 

[atcdrifter]

live rock is better,my bio balls just collect detrius,tha balls is more of a fish only thang too

 

[jessesoto33]

Thanks, need to get rid of them!

 

[halvc909]

I'm curious..why would it considers a nitrate factory? doesn't it works similar to LR where bacterias are living in them...it sounds like different types of bacterias are living in LR vs bio balls...educate me plz

 

[kajung2k]

Aerobic Bacteria [bacteria require oxygen]. Aerobic Bacteria convert Nitrite to Nitrate. [or maybe its Ammonia into Nitrite to Nitrate]

Anaerobic Bacteria converts Nitrate into nitrogen --which is released into the air.. or in the skimmer.. etc..

Bio Balls only support Aerobic Bacteria.

Live Rock Supports both Aerobic Bacteria [bacteria living in the outside of the rock] and Anaerobic Bacteria [bacteria living inside the rock].

At least that's what I've been told.. and read.. PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[barometer]

.....also, the really collect the junk, like detritus magnets. Then it doesn't matter what bacteria is going on, your essentially filtering through nitrates.

 

[atcdrifter]

ive got them in this backpach skimmer i have and all u see is crap sitting on them

 

[Crush]

Ya go with live rock. It's way better for a natural envirment

 

[SuperDragon]

Bioballs need to be cleaned routinely to be effective... Live rock have very little maintenace. More room for errors/work/maintaining with bioballs.

 

[jessesoto33]

How often would I need to clean them?

 

[SuperDragon]

Bacteria take about 12 weeks to populate in the bio balls. After the cycling period you can clean about 1/4 of the balls every 1-2 months. (cleaning more will kill off your aerobic/anaerobic bacteria and make the tank unstable) It's a real pain because you can't clean them in FW, must be in SW.
Also, the best way to know when to change them is checking for nitrates with a test kit.
this is more info
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/nitratecontrol/ht/htcleanbioballs.htm

Some people don't bother with cleaning and just toss out the old bio balls with new ones.

If your really going to use this method, I suggest a filter sock to help keep DOM/DOC low.
It won't replace your maintenace of the bio balls though. Overall, it's just too much work and strays away from more near natural methods of filtration. (Live rock/Live sand)

 

[jessesoto33]

Can I put live rock in the chamber where the bio balls go, or does the LR need to be submersed in water?

 

[SuperDragon]

good question... I know that LR works well underwater.
It should work well above water for aerobic denitrification also,
as long as it stays wet.

 

[jessesoto33]

Would like to know for sure though!

 

[SuperDragon]

Relax, don't stress. It think your overthinking this.
The main source of denitrification in one's tank is LR and/or LS in the main tank.
Bio balls and LR also works in the sump underwater, but I wouldn't consider it
a main source of denitrification.

 

[jessesoto33]

Just thinking of that dead space I'll be having, that's all, gah

 

[atcdrifter]

u break tha live rock up,ur just get ruble rock from tha lfs (small pieces)

 

[SuperDragon]

apolgize, I misunderstood your question, atcdrifter is right (LR rubble)

 

[jessesoto33]

Will do!