bio-ball in sump, good or bad ?

[Reefcan]

hey, its me again.
my reef tanks about 3 weeks. there are some bio-ball in the sump. Should I take them out ?

[Myka]

Is your tank a reef or a FOWLR? I find no place for bioballs in reef tanks as they are nitrate factories, but they can be used in FOWLR tanks under special circumstances.

[chevyjaxon]

even better than bio balls use LR rubble i ditched my balls a year ago and replaced them with rubble just a thought, and yes they are nitrate factories IME but if you give them a swish in water to knock off the detritus every now and again they should be fine

[sphelps]

Once you have enough rock in your tank you should remove the bio-balls. Despite how they are marketed bio-balls don't serve a useful purpose in the standard saltwater aquarium.

[Trigger Man]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Once you have enough rock in your tank you should remove the bio-balls. Despite how they are marketed bio-balls don't serve a useful purpose in the standard saltwater aquarium.

I agree with Sphelps on this one.

[phreezee]

I'm going to vote for keeping the bioballs with the caveat that you also need sufficient LR and DSB.

Pros
1) Mechanical filtration
2) Biological filtration. Nitrate isn't as bad as nitrite, ammonia. Bio balls do this very well.
3) Silencer - cuts down on water noise.
4) With sufficient LR and DSB, your denitrifying bacteria will take care of your Nitrate.

Cons
1) Must rinse them occassionally.

Note that LR with insufficient waterflow will also produce nitrates in deadzones.

It's always about finding the balance.

I agree that rubble is better as it provides the porous areas bio balls can't.

[chevyjaxon]

Originally Posted by phreezee

I'm going to vote for keeping the bioballs with the caveat that you also need sufficient LR and DSB.

Pros
1) Mechanical filtration
2) Biological filtration. Nitrate isn't as bad as nitrite, ammonia. Bio balls do this very well.
3) Silencer - cuts down on water noise.
4) With sufficient LR and DSB, your denitrifying bacteria will take care of your Nitrate.

Cons
1) Must rinse them occassionally.

Note that LR with insufficient waterflow will also produce nitrates in deadzones.

It's always about finding the balance.

I agree that rubble is better as it provides the porous areas bio balls can't.

not to mention rubble is just plain natural, we are building and maintaining a piece of nature done right its great but dont forget mother nature can be a vengeful wh*re if done incorrectly

[sphelps]

Just wanted to add some points to your list

Pros
1) Mechanical filtration
Not the best source, filtration floss will do a much better job and is disposible so no cleaning is required.
2) Biological filtration. Nitrate isn't as bad as nitrite, ammonia. Bio balls do this very well.
Ammonia and nitrite will always read zero in an established tank with sufficient LR. Bio-balls do it too well and produce nitrate too quickly before you tank can complete the nitrogen cycle. Excess nitrate is the result and once a build up is created it is very difficult to remove.
3) Silencer - cuts down on water noise.
Many other alternatives here, filter floss will do the same and has other advantages.
4) With sufficient LR and DSB, your denitrifying bacteria will take care of your Nitrate.
Not necessarily true. The bio-media will disturb a natural nitrogen cycle and dentrification is not an easy process in an aquarium and also requires a carbon source to complete the reaction.

[phreezee]

I don't disagree with anything you said.
1) Sure, many ways to skin a cat, but bioballs are re-usable and no recurring costs.
2) Bioloads, tank sizes vary, "always" is a strong generalization (noting it's a 3 week old tank)
3) Sure, many ways to skin a cat. Bioballs are re-usable and no recurring costs.
4) Water changes (you have to do it anyway), dose vodka/sugar for carbon.

[naesco]

Originally Posted by Reefcan

hey, its me again.
my reef tanks about 3 weeks. there are some bio-ball in the sump. Should I take them out ?

Lets put it this way. If your LFS(fish store) is trying to sell you bioballs, run, run don't walk out of the store and choose another LFS.