Bio Balls vs. LR

I have read some comments about pros and cons with bio balls in a reef, but they were brief discussions. I have searched and have not found a general thread on this item. (If there is one could someone please post link?)
From what I have read lately its a debatable subject....My question is in regards to the plumbing i plan to put into place with my new tank.

Currently i have 135gal DT with a drilled 29 gallon that is used as a sump (no refugium yet :-[) and a 2nd sump with bio balls. About a 100lbs of LR, deep sand bed (plenum) and an eel.
I just bought a used 150 gal which came with a sump loaded with bio balls. I plan to take down the 135 and set the 150 up as a reef. The 29gal will be used as a sump to host my skimmer, will i or should I also incorporate a sump with bio balls? (I have two and dont mind taking the bio balls out if needed.) I do plan on hosting some fish in the reef, but not many, and i will also be purchasing more base rock to the 150 gal.
(Again sorry if this is a repeat thread so if there is a link to my answers that would help.) Thanks in advance !!

 

The thing with bioball is if it is bellow the water level they tend to built up nitrate deposites. every one has there own opinon on the matter and in the long run its all up to what works for you and ur tank.

 

The thing with bio balls is that you have maintaince with them. People forget that they are a nitrate factory. I personally have had them and removed them and will never have them again. I think the theroy is great behind them but when you think about it you will forget to do maintaince on them until its to late and then its a hey why are my nitrates so high I have nothing wrong with my system? I have been there too. I thought I did it right and watched everything and then bam 100ppm nitrates. I personally thing live rock rubble does much better. I wont go back to bio balls personally but it doesent mean they have a place. They work and work well as long as you understand them. I understand my lr works much better for me but your bio balls might be better for you.

 

I'm not one of those that think they are nitrate factories. I don't believe they produce more nitrates that what the food input is. I never had nitrates with mine.

Having said that.... I simply think there are better ways of doing the same thing. Namely a fuge and a lot of live rock.... things you are going to have anyway.

You will have a ammonia break down to nitrites and down to nitrates. Bio balls are an efficient way to break down nitrites. Nitrates you will always have to deal with. DSB, macro algae, live rock will all take out nitrates at the same rate they are produces.... which means zero testable nitrates.

So I don't bad mouth them, I just see no need for them. Especially since you do need to maintain them.

 

thanks for the reply Mirandacollc and Powerman, I will go the route with LR in place of the bio balls. Is it recommended to keep the LR submerged then rather than have water trickle over them? That way i will know if i need to mod the sumps or not.

Thanks again !!

 

Yes your LR needs to stay submerged or the nitrifying bacteria cannot survive