DSB VS BIOBALLS
 

Hey all, trying to decide which one to use for filtration on one of my systems. Factors include a large bio-load.

Which one do you prefer? and why? :biggrin:

Lots of live rock, really big skimmer and a reactor with gfo, np pellets or zeovit

I would nix the bioballs as they simply add to nitrate problems.
DSB reduces nitrate problems, and the critters in the sand and their offspring provide food for coral and fish in your tank.

If you plan a large bioload, test often and do frequent water changes.

No on the bioballz....I use to have them in my sump and nixed them. Replaced with live rubble.

Jeff

what does nix mean?

Means he ditched them. They need to be rinsed once a week to ensure they don't become a nitrate factory. They were used in the past, now live rock is used with a lot more success ;)

I chuckle each time I see the huge pails of bio balls collecting dust on the top shelf at one of our LFS.

correct me if i am wrong but to my understanding sand has smaller particle size therefore greater surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize so it is more effective than live rock? or are they the same? :confused:

http://96.31.86.198/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=47

Just one of the threads from our superb reference library.

Yes, your correct that sand does have a large area for bacteria to colonize, but a dsb is not required for that purpose.

FWIW, many of us run bare bottomed and just use live rock for the same purpose. One theory is that if the tank/bottom is kept clean, less waste can decompose, thus less waste to create ammonia......nitrite.....so thus less nitrate.

Bioballs are extremely good at what they do, which is converting ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate. Problem is without some form of denitrification, getting rid of the nitrates.

so i'm thinking of setting up a refugium in my sump just wondering how much sand do you guys usually put in?

is it the more the better?

just wondering how much sand do you need for nitrifying and denitrifying to take place? thanks