Getting rid of bio-balls?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this(mods feel free to move if it's not) but, I'm setting up a new tank with a wet/dry filter and I'm looking for some cheap bio-balls to put in it. I notice a lot of people are switching out their bio-balls for live rock. Anyone wanna offload it and ship it to CA, I can pay via paypal. Shoot me a PM if you've got extra bio-balls laying around.

 

Have you used bioballs before? I started with bioballs and lots off nitrates. They are problematic if you are not religious on cleaning them. If you are thinking that they are cheaper than putting live rock in it maybe concider base rock. It is cheaper than liverock, you do not bring in problems from someone elses tank and it will build up a bio load just like the bioballs or liverock. If you put a couple of snails and hermits in there they will take care of cleaning the rock. Just a thought. I am kinda lazy and I try to get rid of the products that take constant maintance.

 

Just a thought! people talk about bio-balls being nitrate factories on and on, but if your bio balls aren't retaining the nitrates, what will then? there are many reefers that still use bio balls, and I am one of them! algae will grow where ever lighting is present, if you have a refugium, is nothing more than a nitrate factory also, unless you host some clam other than
algae, in case of the bio balls in the wet/dry getting covered by algae, more likely you have a lack of oxygen in the wet/dry! perhaps nitrifying bacteria has died and the bio load might be greater than the ability of the bacteria to convert the ammonia to nitrites, nitrates, there for bio balls aren't any worst than the lights we use for the other inhabitants that require it. you can always use a bacterial additive to keep the bio balls in check, but as far as the balls being a nitrate factory I have to disagree. Bio balls were inorganic when you first got them and they are meant to retain aerobic beneficial bacteria, that the aquarists must maintain as well as the aquarium it self.

 

I would definitely go with live rock instead of the bio-balls as I have and will continue to be a firm believer that live rock will afford you better results than the employment of those dreaded bio-balls!
Just my opinion however!

 

edit:Why are bioballs dreaded?

why is liverock better?

 

Better for two reasons!
First, larger diversity of bacteria as well as a plethora of unique living organisms on and in live rock. Second is the fact that bio-balls are a nitrate and detritus trap.

 

How does liverock have more diversity when bioballs seeded by bacteria from the liverock in the tank? So it would have the same "plethora of unique living organisms" as the liverock in the tank. Bioballs have a lot more surface area versus liverock.

As for the "detritus trap", why do you think they make filter socks? Implimenting a filter would prevent most things from getting clogged. Since liverock isnt as porous as bioballs (which thats common sense) dont you think liverock would clog up faster, even when impimenting a filter sock?

 

You would do just as well using old plastic bottle caps or fishing line and or old hair curlers. The bacteria really cares not what it grows upon . You can not grow anymore of the bacteria then is needed and a pin head will hold millions of them. Its more about the water droplets being dispersed and actually creating more water surface to air for better gas exchange that matters and what is needed .

 

I feel like we are ganging up on you CR but not really so

My experience is limited but I have been to 2 commercial facilities (large) that use a form of bioballs to "house bacteria" to get rid of any nitrates. I was shocked to hear they replace the synthetic media once a year and never clean inbetween. They have these huge sumps full of bioballs with an ungodly amount of GPH splashing over them. Their take on it was to filter all detritus out of the water before getting to the Bioballs. I am quoting when I say they told me as long as the detritus is removed from the water before reaching the sumps with the bioballs, they do not experience any nitrates being released back into the system.

They prefilter with socks and beads and they do change those on a schedule.

 

EXACTLY my point!!! Filter socks prevent 99% of detritus and other large particulates from entering the bioballs.