Wet/Dry bio balls

Whats the deal with bio-balls, and why do so many recommend removal a little at a time? If you remove the bioballs out of sump do you replace with something diffrent? What about side affects?

 

People recommend removing them slowly because it is your biological filter and removing them quickly can force your tank to recycle.

People usually remove them because the sand and rock (if you have some) breaks down ammonia too.

Further reading:



http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-etc/bio-balls-live-rock-34753.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-etc/wet-dry-filter-bio-balls-29580.html

 

So if I were to remove the bio balls and replace it with live rock, how much live rock would i need to replace it with, and how many bio balls do you remove at a time. Also how big would the live rock need to be.

 

1-2 lbs of live rock per gal of water
the live rock would be in the display tank

 

I have not had a problem with the bio-balls in my sump. It has been running for over a year.

 

I was thinking putting my bio-balls between my baffles to helps keep the microbubbles from entering the return pump chamber. Should I not do it?

Thanks!

 

THe bio balls themselves are not the problem the problem lies in the fact that they create so much Nitrate. Were as live rock (larger pieces) is able to host bacteria that can eliminate nitrate. If you do run bio balls, or have any system that has high nitrates, then I suggest that you run a RDSB.

Gary

 

I have about 4 to 4 1/2 inches of sand in my tank, I was just wondering about the bio ball situation. I have read some other threads about removing them, just thought I'd ask. I'm kinda new to this saltwater hobby. But if you suggest leaving them in then thats what I'll do.

 

To quote what Rungeg said, because the bio balls will trap debris, therefore, skimmer or filter won't be able to get them out of the water...hence the nitrate problem, but if you keep them clean then you should have no problem.

That being said, I personally won't use bio balls as the ONLY/MAIN filtration or bacteria grow because if you do clean them some, bacteria might die and disturb your bacteria population/water parameter.

Any corrections welcome.

 

Will 1-2 lbs of live rock per gallon, in addition to a protein skimmer be sufficient means of filtration? If not what would you suggest using in place of the bio-balls? I currently have a wet/dry filter that uses the bio-balls but was advised that if I want to add coral I should consider eliminating them.