Bio-Balls/Live Rock

I have been told to take the bio-balls out of my wet/dry and replace them with live rock. The bio-balls, if not keep clean, will cause the nitrates to rise in my tank. I can see why this will happen, but why doesn't it happen if there is live rock in there. The live rock will trap crap also, so if I don't keep it clean won't the same thing happen?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I was trying to understand why it doesn't happen to live rock also.


Thanks!

 

The live rock should be kept in the display tank and detritus should be removed from it regularly.

The sump should have a few places for detritus to build up as possible. You are right about live rock having the same issue as bio-balls.

 

+1. After years of trying both ways. Conclusion IMO, filtration done by adequate LR in the display is the way to go. JM2C

 

Hi,

I am new to 3reef and a newbieeeee in saltwater tank. I need your input on what I am about to do.

I just bought a Proflex 4 which I am now set up as a refugium system. Since with Proflex, you can only do one option at a time, either wet/dry, berlin method, or refugium. I setup a wet/dry box, which sit on top of the sum. A pump from the sum, after the refugium, feed to the wet/dry box and return back to the sum.

I was thinking of having a refugium and wet/dry combine maybe better.

Until now, I see your post and other which said wet/dry is bad and it is a nitrate factory.

150 gallons
200 bls live rock
3 in deep live sand

Sorry for a lengthy post. Should I remove the Wet/dry box or should I keep it.

Thanks for any input

 

You can keep it as a sump, but from all that I've seen and read.....take out the bio-balls. I would invest in a big protein skimmer. I would then pipe in a refugium and have it dump back into the sump. The thing with the refugium is that the flow needs to be slow from what I understand.....I'm not an expert on them but that's how I understand it.

 

Oh, one thing........if you keep the bioballs, you'll need to keep them clean.

 

what wet/dry bioball can do? good or bad to have as an add-on

Thanks for the input. I have a big sum and currently have two protein skimmers each rated for up to 300 gallons capacity. what I want to know is what wet/dry bioballs can do! good or bad to have.
Thanks again for your input

 

i would like to also know the answer to this question i was told that i have to clean my bioballs weekly