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10-25-2005, 02:49 AM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 74
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Bio Balls: Good or Bad?
I have bio balls in the overflow section of my tank and was told by the LFS to remove them. I have LR and some polyps, but plan on getting corals in the future. Do I get rid of them?
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10-25-2005, 03:20 AM
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#2
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It can be rebuilt.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pittsboro, NC
Posts: 19,158
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the short answer is yes, get rid of them. i am pretty impressed the LFS told you that actually. you may have a decent LFS by you. this is a kinda controversial topic. if you are planning on keeping a reef, then definately remove the bio-balls. if you are planning on keeping a FO tank, then you could possibly keep the bio-balls, but you will want to keep an eye on the Nitrate levels.
if you have a constant nitrate level of 20ppm and can not get below this, than it is caused by the bio-balls.
G~
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10-25-2005, 04:11 AM
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#3
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Big Fishy
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 484
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I have balls too. My thoughts are as follows and are meaningless. If you have good quality lr as well as quantity and a very sensible bio-load, then dump em. If your gonna do it up germy style, then keep em.
DEFINITION-"Germy Style"
Somehow maintaining the largest bio-load ever conceived in a 75 with rock from a quarry in utah, while using a seaclone and touching everything all day long.
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10-25-2005, 05:20 AM
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#4
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Shark
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NEW YORK
Posts: 2,072
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Had a real nitrate problem with bio-balls...remove them sloooooly, so that your rock bacteria can grow and take their place...you'll find if you do it slowly that ultimately your nitrate level will decrease without spikes in other water parameters, ie ammonia, and such because the LR now functions, taking the place of the bioballs...?did that make any sense? Anyway take out a small amount at a time, not all at once. I also used a little bacteria additive at this time to help out the rock...worked for me. Good luck.
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10-25-2005, 07:14 AM
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#5
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I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25,763
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Depends if you have enough LR!if you don't have 1 1/2 - 2 lbs per gallons then you need some.
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10-25-2005, 09:03 AM
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#6
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Tang Lover
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Rockville, MD
Posts: 7,284
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yes...if you have at least 1lb per gallon, then start removing them at a rate of about 1 handful every week.
If you have a FO (fish only) tank, then you COULD keep them (not recommended).
Germy style is an option as well. But it's more for the Mt Dew drinking, Dorito eating, X-TREME type!  hahahah (DIE HARD!!!!)
give us some more details about your set up.
btw...congrats on what sounds like a decent LFS!
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10-25-2005, 10:37 AM
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#7
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Big Fishy
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 484
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I like combos and Arnold Palmers sir. Yes, definately alot of quick decisions and risk taking, perfect.
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"me fail english, that's unpossible" Ralph Wigam
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10-25-2005, 11:27 AM
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#8
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Rockin-Roll Mod
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Coal Valley Illinois
Posts: 5,397
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Good to start a tank with! but after you are up and running, about 3 month's & loaded up with live rock & sand dump them slowley!
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10-25-2005, 02:25 PM
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#9
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lodi New Jersey
Posts: 171
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i have a q can you compromise i have 30 lbs live rock in a 65G can i take out mabye some bio balls to reduce nitrate I have a nitrate of 20 ppm cant shake it
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10-25-2005, 02:45 PM
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#10
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Cartersville, Georgia
Posts: 2,995
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personally I don't think how much live rock you have will make that much a difference. if you have live sand too, then that also can make up for the lack up live rock.
Jaydog-i would take out all the bioballs- as long as you have some live rock and some live sand then you should be ok. natural filtration is better than bio balls anyday! (shhhh just don't tell germy i wrote this!!)  |
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10-25-2005, 03:25 PM
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#11
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Tune In Tokyo!
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 726
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by germy
I have balls
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sorry, just had to do it
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10-25-2005, 07:29 PM
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#12
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 74
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I have approx. 20lbs of live rock and 1.25 inches of reef sand for my setup which is a 40 gal with 18 gal sump. Should I keep the bio balls til I get more LR?
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10-25-2005, 08:57 PM
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#13
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Nothing to See Here
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Cartersville, Georgia
Posts: 2,995
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snappy
I have approx. 20lbs of live rock and 1.25 inches of reef sand for my setup which is a 40 gal with 18 gal sump. Should I keep the bio balls til I get more LR?
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i would take them out now if i was you. unless u have a serious bioload then i see no reason not too.
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10-25-2005, 09:02 PM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lodi New Jersey
Posts: 171
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yeah ill start taking them out just scared that i might shock the system.
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10-25-2005, 10:02 PM
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#15
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REALLY excited to be here
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Douglasville, GA
Posts: 579
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Do it slow, just like everything else in the addictio... I mean hobby.
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