1200 Gal FO Filtration

[WeeJ]

Hi All - Advice needed.

I currently have a 200 Gal FOWLR with sump and refugium with some chaeto which is doing fine with no bioballs.
But im in the process of builing a 1200 Gal inwall tank (total water volume would be around 1500 Gal) and worried about the filtration part. My LFS advices me to use Bioballs (already available) since I can't really afford the live rock expenses at the moment. (until next year)
He claims since I have two MR-2 skimmer, the way to go is to hook up the output of both skimmers on to the bioballs in a separate sump to reduce debtris buildup. And I will also have a big DSB and some live rock around 150 KG.
Confused and would like someone who is using bioballs on large system setup with no problems to encourage me in doing so.


:rolleye1:

 

[bertoni]

The bio-ball setup should be fine for a fish-only setup, although I'd make sure the flow rate matched the manufacturer's recommendation. This forum might be more helpful:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=139

 

[schigara]

I doubt you will get many or any positive response on the use of bio balls to reduce detritus!

You do not need 1000-1500 lbs of LR @ $5-9 per lb. You can instead use the same amount of base rock(dead rock) for $1-2 per lb. Cycle with base rock (6-8 weeks)and it will colonize with enough bacteria to easily support your fish.

 

[WeeJ]

Thanks for the response, but base rock is hard to find here and shipping it will require a huge budget. Can't afford it at the moment. But eventually will be doing it.
As far as large tanks, I see our LFS is still using them without any problems.