bio ball and filter media

[daisybud]

Are the bio balls a bad way to go? I have a 22 gal and it has been up for about 10 weeks. I have noticed that the nitrates are running around 20 and even with water changes every 4 -5 days. The tank has a drip type filter. Bio balls on a tray, a sponge tray and then a filter tray. Can I slowly remove the bio balls without a problem? I have LR in the tank with 2 soft corals, 5 fish and a clean up crew. Also, I have noticed that people are recommending to remove the filter sponges. Does that also mean to remove the white filter media? Advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Kim

 

[sir_dudeguy]

in a reef yes nitrates are bad. And the bioballs would be your cause of them probably. Just take them out slowly. imo you shouldnt use any bioballs or filter media if you've already got live rock in the tank.

and same goes for the filter media. The sponges arent really a media, but yes, the nitrates will build up there too. The media would be something like those ceramic biomax noodles that fluval filters use. Same thing for them...nitrates

So take out any filter media and bioballs SLOWLY so that the bacteria's got a chance to bounce back.

if you want, you can replace the bioballs w/some live rock, but not really needed if you've got over 1 lb of rock per gallon of water.

 

[daisybud]

So if I got this right, there will be nothing in the drip filter compartment. The only thing running is the skimmer and the pumps for flow. Is that correct?

 

[daisybud]

Also if I want to add more live rock to compensate for removing the balls and filter media, what would be the best way to add the new LR? Thanks in advance for the help!!

 

[sir_dudeguy]

i'm not real sure on how the wet/dry filters are set up, but i think the water goes in right over where the bioballs are? just take those out and run everything else in there how it is. (this is a wet/dry sump thing right?)

Just put live rock in the spot where the bioballs are now. Remove the bioballs slowly (like over a couple weeks) and then when its empty, just put in a bit of live rock...i dont think the size of the rock matters much, but make sure you get all cured rock, because if you get uncured, you might see some spikes which can harm the fish

 

[daisybud]

There is a compartment in the back of the main tank that holds the skimmer on one side. That overflows into the drip side first through a tray then a white filter media then another tray holding a sponge, the next tray has the bio balls on it.

Also I meant how do I add more live rock to the main tank...
Thank again..

 

[j_gilbert]

i wouldnt use bio balls

 

[HighlandReef]

i replaced my bio-balls with LR rubble